The LA Galaxy II suffered one of their worst losses of the season this past weekend. Against the Portland Timbers second team. Los Dos went 3-0 up at halftime. But then, they gave up four goals in the second half after going down a man to lose 4-3.
#LosDos XI: Sneddon; Sorto, Payeras, Nishanian, Smith; Rebellon, Covarrubias, Mendiola, Jamieson IV; Lassiter, Amaya pic.twitter.com/vR7lEoH96j
— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) August 7, 2016
This loss is their second in a row, after losing to OC Blues last week. While they still sit in second place, Curt Onalfo will have to find a way to get his squad out of this mini slump.
A gift of a goal gave the LA Galaxy II the lead in only the ninth minute. The ball deflected off of Portland’s Steven Taylor before going into their own net.
Then, six minutes later, Los Dos doubled their advantage. Ariel Lassiter had a go from outside the box and found the near side of the net. The shot was hit with such power that the Timbers goalkeeper had no chance in stopping it.
Los Angeles scored their third goal of the first half in stoppage time through Lassiter again. Lassiter was slipped through and his pace allowed him to get in behind the Portland defense. With the Timbers ‘keeper off his line, Lassiter slotted one past from the semi-circle, placing it into the back of the net with precision.
Things were going smoothly for Los Dos and it looked as if they were going to waltz their way to a big victory. But then, all of a sudden, the momentum change. Adonis Amaya got shown a red card in the 64th minute and that proved to be a pivotal part of the match.
Blake Bodily got Portland’s first of the night following Adonis Amaya’s dismissal. He found himself all alone and made no mistake with his effort, beating Clement Diop with ease.
A handball inside the area was called on the Galaxy in the 67th minute. Villyan Bijev stepped up to the spot and slotted home a good penalty. This goal cut their deficit to just one.
Portland pulled level with three minutes before the end of normal time. Villyan Bijev pounced on a rebound to complete his brace and capitalize on the Timbers’ momentum.
Heartbreak was felt in stoppage time by the Galaxy second team. Neco Brett found space for himself inside the box. He fired a shot at Clement Diop. To Diop’s credit, the French goalkeeper got a hand on the ball but it still found a way into the goal. Could Diop have done better? Of course. But the defense also let him down at the critical moment. That lapse of concentration cost the Galaxy a point too.
Now, Los Dos go on a monster road trip. Their next five matches are away from the StubHub Center. They travel to Oklahoma to to on the OKC energy on Saturday night at 7:30 PM PST.