CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, July 17, 2014) – The LA Galaxy Academy Under-16 team pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory against Chicago Magic PSG Under-16 in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy semifinal at StubHub Center’s Field 1 on Thursday evening.
LA Galaxy’s U-16 midfielder Rey Ortiz scored a hat trick to give LA a 3-2 victory over the Chicago-based club. With the win, the LA Galaxy U-16’s advanced to U-15/16 Academy Final game at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, at StubHub Center’s main stadium. The game will be broadcasted live on ussoccer.com. The Galaxy U-16 squad will face the winner of the Real Salt Lake AZ Under-16 – Strikers FC Under-16 match taking place on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m. PT at StubHub Center’s Field 1.
Ortiz opened the scoring after just 11 minutes, giving LA a 1-0 lead early in the game. The lead did not last long, however, as Chicago Magic PSG’s Luka Prpa scored an equalizer in the 28th minute after his shot took a deflection and found the back of the net.
Chicago caught LA off guard early in the second half as a cross from the right side found Magic’s Kendall Stork unmarked inside the 18-yard box. Stork put away the opportunity and put Chicago Magic PSG ahead 2-1 in the 50th minute of the game.
Trailing by a goal, the Galaxy’s Ortiz curled a powerful shot from the edge of the area into the back of the net to level the score at 2-2.
With just moments left in the match, LA’s Andrew Perez was brought down inside the box. Ortiz then stepped up to the spot and calmly placed the ball in the back of the net to secure the LA Galaxy a 3-2 win and a spot in the Academy Final to be played on Saturday.
For Development Academy results, visit academy.demosphere.com. Follow the Academy postseason on social media on Instagram, Facebook and on Twitter (@ussoccer_acad) with the #AcademyFinals and #OpportunityKnocks hashtags.
