Carson, CA – For the first time in 2016, LA Galaxy II tasted defeat on Saturday night. Rivals Sacramento Republic traveled south to Carson and took all three points, winning 0-2. Goals came on either side of the halftime interval. Emrah Klimenta scored the first while Harry Williams doubled the advantage.
It was always going to be a tough night for the young G’s as they made nine changes to their starting eleven. Playing three games in eight days is difficult for any team in the world, adding on the factor of travel. Curt Onalfo also gave the nod to a couple of the younger players and it showed throughout.
The opening goal of the match occurred in the 16th minute. LA Galaxy II gave up a dangerous free kick and Sacramento made them pay. Emrah Klimenta stood over the ball, wrapped his foot around it, and sent a beauty of a shot in towards goal. Klimenta’s shot soared above the jumping wall and underneath the crossbar.
On 33 minutes, Los Dos created a half-chance, but one that looked promising nonetheless. Ryo Fujii played an excellent ball directly into the run of Denzel Slager. Then, Slager tried to play a pass back towards the left post, but no Galaxy man had made a run into the box. This was a move that could have turned into something, but Sacramento regained possession.
Two minutes after the hour mark, the visitors doubled their lead through a great team goal. Tommy Stewart fed the run of Klimenta down the right hand side of the pitch. Klimenta returned the favor, sending a ball back towards the middle of the area. Then, Stewart produced a nice little flick to Harry Williams who found the ball into the back of the net.
LAGII did not stop fighting and they had a chance to peg one back seven minutes later. Raul Mendiola threaded an inch-perfect pass as he found Ariel Lassiter. Lassiter took a couple of touches and the Sacramento came off his line well stop any forthcoming shot.
Late in the match, Jack McBean had one of his only chances of the match off of a free kick. He beat the goalkeeper, but his shot hit off the crossbar. That pretty much summed up Los Dos’ night. No matter how much they tried to get forward, look for good passes, nothing came off.
Los Angeles Galaxy II, though, will look to rebound as soon as possible. They travel to Canada to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps 2 on Sunday night.
SCORING SUMMARY:
LA – None
SAC – Emrah Klimenta 16’, Harry Williams (Assisted by Thomas Stewart) 62’
LINEUP:
LA Galaxy II Starting XI: Clement Diop; Nathan Smith, Lee Nishanian, Jeffrey Payeras, Oscar Sorto (Josh Turnley 76’); Denzel Slager (Jose Villarreal 58’), Bryam Rebellon (Alejandro Covarrubias 63’), Ryo Fujii (Jaime Villarreal 63’), Adrian Vera (Raul Mendiola 58’); Ariel Lassiter, Jack McBean
Substitutions not used: Ethan Zubak, Bennett Sneddon
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Referee’s Assistants: Eduardo Jeff, Osvaldo Delgado-Landeros
4th Official: Vincent Apple-Chiarella
Attendance: 1,604