Carson, CA (StubHub Track & Field Stadium) – LA Galaxy II and Jack McBean christened the newly renovated StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium on Wednesday night when McBean scored three times to beat Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, 3-2.
The first of McBean’s goals was scored on a penalty kick in the 32nd minute. McBean chased a high lofted ball into the box and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC goalkeeper, Devala Gorrick, jumped into the back of the Los Dos striker from behind. The Captain then called his own number to slot one home on the resulting Penalty Kick.
McBean scored again in the 47th minute on a play that he started and then finished. Jack started the play by passing off to his right and slotting Ariel (Ari) Lassiter through towards goal. Ari traveled forward, and when his defender slipped, he charged into the box and waited until the perfect moment to go back across the goal and find McBean waiting.
Jack’s third and final goal came in the 71st minute. He again found some space, this time on the left side, and was picked out by a charging Raul Mendiola before easily scoring.
“It’s been an awesome start for me, goals wise. I thought today I held the ball up really well, as well, which is a big part of my game and a part of my game that I take pride in. All around this was a step in the right direction again for me.” Jack McBean LA Galaxy II Captain
The hat trick means Jack McBean has scored 18 goals in 16 games since the preseason started for LA. That’s 9 goals in 8 league games and in just 7 starts. Jack is now the League leader in goals as he’s surpassed former teammate, Chandler Hoffman, who has 7 goals.
LA Galaxy II now holds the league lead in scoring with 17 goals and this was the third time that they’ve scored 3 goals or more in the 2016 season.
“He (Jack McBean) has been, from preseason all the way through, outstanding.” Curt Onalfo, LA Galaxy II Head Coach
There was a scary moment in the first half when Bradford Jamieson IV went down with an injury behind the play. The contact come much earlier on a set piece where Bradford IV seemed to have collided heads with another Colorado player. But after that immediate contact he went into a tackle in the corner and didn’t appear hurt. It wasn’t until about 60 seconds after the initial contact that he stopped and dropped down to the field. After several minutes he was helped off the field, under his own power, but was substituted for Ariel Lassiter.
LA Galaxy II Head Coach Curt Onalfo commented that he didn’t have a status on Bradford Jamieson IV and that he’d have to talk to the training staff after the game. And while his status is unknown at this time, he does have a history of concussions. So the concern is very real for a very talented player.
LA Galaxy II was up 3-0 but the game was actually far from over. Leaning on substitutes, Los Dos failed to keep up the good game they’d played through the first 71 minutes of the game. In the 77th minute Colorado began their comeback. Saeed Robinson scored the first goal when Mike Seth fed him to narrow the margin to just two goals.
“I thought we played a very good game for 70 minutes. I thought the our players off the bench did a poor job tonight which is disappointing. They didn’t understand exactly what the game needed and how you needed to close it out.” Curt Onalfo, LA Galaxy II Head Coach
Then, late into stoppage time, Switchbacks FC stunned LA Galaxy II by scoring in the 91st minute. Mike Seth scored a soft goal past Dan Kennedy with a quick turnaround shot that rocketed through the ‘keeper. And while it brought the game within one goal they couldn’t pull out the equalizer despite the four plus minutes of added time.
LA Galaxy II improved to a Western Conference leading 4-0-4 and remain undefeated in league play.
LA’s young USL side will play again on Saturday as they host Sacramento Republic FC in a match at StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium.
SCORING SUMMARY
32’ – LA – Jack McBean (PK)
47’ – LA – Jack McBean (Ariel Lassiter)
71’ – LA – Jack McBean (Raul Mendiola)
77’ – COS – Saeed Robinson (Mike Seth)
90’+ – COS – Mike Seth
LA Galaxy II STARTING LINEUPE
LA Galaxy II Starting XI: Dan Kennedy; Dave Romney, Josh Turnley, Leonardo, Nathan Smith; Alejandro Covarrubias, Jaime Villarreal (Bryam Rebellon 90+), Jose Villarreal (Denzel Slager 63’); Raul Mendiola (Ethan Zubak 75’), Bradford Jamieson IV (Ariel Lassiter 42’), Jack McBean
Substitutions not used: Bennett Sneddon, Lee Nishanian, Oscar Sorto