The LA Galaxy extended their unbeaten streak in Reserve League play to four games with a 3-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Tuesday afternoon. Jack McBean came off the bench to score an 86th minute winner and Jose Villarreal scored his first two goals of the year as LA won their second straight road game and moved into a first place tie with the Whitecaps in the Reserve League standings.
Josh Saunders made his second straight start for the Reserves while current Galaxy Academy players Mario Rodriguez and Oscar Sorto each got the start, as did center back Andy Iro, an MLS veteran who has been training with the Galaxy since late last week.
Following an even opening 45 minutes that saw both goalkeepers tested, the Galaxy wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard after the break as Academy graduate Jose Villarreal scored his first of the season in the 47th minute. Making his first start of the year for the Reserves, Villarreal took a pass from Michael Stephens and beat Brad Knighton with a right-footed shot from just inside the box, giving LA a 1-0 lead.
Vancouver equalized 21 minutes later when Bryce Alderson, who had entered the game just 10 minutes earlier, beat Saunders from close range. Saunders stopped Michael Nanchoff on a one-on-one in the 67th minute, knocking the ball out for a corner with one of his four saves on the day. But on the ensuing corner, the former Canadian U-17 Player of the Year prodded the ball home from close range after a scramble in the box, tying the score at 1-1.
It appeared as if the game would finish that way, only for second half substitute Jack McBean to grab the eventual game-winner on the 86th minute. McBean, who replaced Mario Rodriguez in the 73rd minute, got on the end of a Kyle Nakazawa freekick and headed it past Brad Knighton in the Vancouver goal to give LA a 2-1 lead. The goal was McBean’s first of the season while Nakazawa, who had tested Knighton with a freekick in the first half, collected his third assist in the last two games.
The Galaxy added an insurance goal in second half stoppage time when Villarreal scored his second of the game. With the Whitecaps pushed forward looking for a late equalizer, the Inglewood, Calif. native got on the end of a long clearance from Josh Saunders and beat Knighton to complete a 3-1 win for the Galaxy.
Curt Onalfo’s squad will return to Southern California tonight before returning to training with the rest of the squad on Thursday morning ahead of Sunday’s game against the Portland Timbers at The Home Depot Center.
The Galaxy will return to Reserve League action on Tuesday, July 10 when they face Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center. Chivas USA, who will be the home team in that game, are the only team to beat LA in the Reserve League this season, winning 4-2 in the season opener on April 2.
LA Galaxy 3, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thunderbird Stadium – Vancouver, B.C.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Jose Villarreal 1 (Michael Stephens 1) 47’
VAN – Bryce Alderson 1 (Unassisted) 68’
LA – Jack McBean 1 (Kyle Nakazawa 3) 86’
LA – Jose Villarreal 2 (Josh Saunders) 91+
Misconduct Summary:
VAN – Michael Nanchoff (Yellow Card) 13’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Josh Saunders; Rafael Garcia, Tommy Meyer, Andy Iro, Oscar Sorto^; Michael Stephens, Kyle Nakazawa, Kenney Walker, Bryan Jordan (Sebastian Velasquez^ 73’); Jose Villarreal, Mario Rodriguez^ (Jack McBean 73’).
Subs Not Used: Brian Perk, Nathan Smith^, Drew Murphy^.
^ - Galaxy Academy Players
- Galaxy Trialist
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Carlyle Mitchell, Jordan Harvey (Ben Fisk^ 82’), Russell Teibert; Etienne Barbara (Bryce Alderson 58’), Matt Watson (Daniel Stanese^ 78’), Floyd Franks (Anton Peterlin* 46’); Eric Hassli (Caleb Clarke 73’), Camilo Sanvezzo, Michael Nanchoff.
Subs Not Used: Marco Carducci.
^ - Whitecaps FC U-23 PDL/Residency
* - Whitecaps FC Trialist
Referee: Paul Ward
Referee’s Assistants: Marco Arruda and Andrew Foster
4th Official: Alain Ruch
