Carson, CA – LA Galaxy II have dropped three points from winning position once more, drawing 2-2 with the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 at the StubHub Center.
While Los Dos have been able to maintain their unbeaten record this season, draws have been hurting them. They get out to either a one-goal or two-goal lead, but then let the advantage slip away late as they did in this match. As a result of this draw, they are still in first place, but have played more matches than anyone else in the league.
The best chance outside of the goal came from another free kick four minutes before the halftime interval. Jack McBean stood over the ball and curled a shot which bounced off the underside of the crossbar and did not find
The home side, through Jose Villarreal, did manage to open the scoring before the first half whistle blew. He lined up a free kick and curled his effort around the wall. The VW2 goalkeeper dove to try to push the ball away, but missed it completely as it found the side netting.
Jack McBean stepped up to the spot, fooled the goalkeeper with his run up and buried his penalty into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. The VW2 goalkeeper started to go towards his right but was completely fooled by the little stutter in the run up.
Ten minutes later, Vancouver got on the board. Erik Hurtado ran down the left flank without any defensive pressure and crossed the ball back towards the far post. Fatawu Safiu, who scored his first goal for the visitiros, was waiting and volleyed his ensuing effort into the net.
Safiu then returned the favor for VW2 in the second goal as he split the Galaxy defense with a perfectly weighted through-ball. Their captain, Kyle Craig, made an excellent diagonal run to get on the end of the pass before chipping the ball over Clement Diop.
The young G’s (LA Galaxy II) will not have to play a match until next Saturday night, which should give them ample time to work on their defensive woes. Los Dos travel to Texas next to take on Rio Grand Valley FC.
GAME NOTES:
Scoring Summary:
- LA – Jose Villarreal 45’, Jack McBean 56’
- VWFC2 – Abdul Fatawu Safiu (William Seymore) 58’
- VWFC2 – Giuliano Frano (Safiu) 76’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy II Starting XI: Clement Diop; Oscar Sorto (Nathan Smith 45’), Lee Nishanian, Jeffrey Payeras, Josh Turnley; Alejandro Covarrubias, Bryam Rebellon, Jaime Villarreal, Jack McBean, Jose Villarreal (Raul Mendiola 61’), Adonis Amaya (Ariel Lassiter 61’)
Substitutions not used: Bennett Sneddon, Ethan Zubak, John Neeskens, Ryo Fujii,
Referee: Issam Ashkar
Referee’s Assistants: Eduardo Jeff, Melissa Gonzalez
4th Official: Michael Radchuk
Attendance: 527