Carson, Calif. – A Chandler Hoffman hat trick and a second half penalty kick conversion from Jack McBean guided the LA Galaxy to a 4-1 victory over a ten-man Chivas USA side in MLS Reserve League action on Monday afternoon.
Playing as the road side, the Galaxy, who are now unbeaten in four straight Reserve League matches, jumped out to an early lead in the sixth minute when Hoffman got on the end of a Laurent Courtois cross and sent his shot from close range past goalkeeper Patrick McClain. Courtois, who signed with the Galaxy last week after being released by Chivas USA late last month, was credited with the assist along with McBean.
It was 2-0 three minutes later with Hoffman scoring his second of the game. McClain was called upon to save a blistering McBean shot, but the rebound fell directly to the feet of Hoffman who proded the ball undeneath McClain, extending the LA lead.
The score would stay that way for just a minute before Chivas USA cut their deficit in half. Jose Rivera, who captained Chivas USA on the day, cleverly chipped a pass over LA’s backline and into space for Bryan de la Fuente to run on to. In alone on Brian Rowe, de la Fuente dribbled into the box and rifled a shot into the net from close range to make the score 2-1.
Despite the goal, the Galaxy continued to control the flow of the game and went close to adding to their lead. Michael Stephens and Jack McBean each went close but were unable to finish and the teams went into the halftime break with LA holding onto their 2-1 advantage.
Just nine minutes after the break, the Galaxy restored their two-goal lead as Hoffman completed his hat trick. Courtois played Greg Cochrane in on the left flank and the rookie whipped in a cross that found the head of Hoffman. His initial header was saved, but the 22-year-old reacted quickest to the rebound and side-footed the ball into the net for his fourth goal of the season, making the score 3-1 in favor of the Galaxy in the 54th minute.
Chivas USA were down to 10 men four minutes later when Oswaldo Minda hauled down LA forward Charlie Rugg, who had just come on for Hoffman. Rugg got in behind the Chivas defense with his first touch of the game, forcing Minda to pull him down, earning the red card.
LA rounded out the scoring in the 69th minute when Jack McBean scored his first Reserve League goal of the season from the penalty spot. Rugg once again proved too difficult for the Chivas USA defense to handle, as he was pulled down in the area, setting up the spot kick. McBean placed his penalty in the bottom right corner of the net to give his side a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
The Galaxy are now 3-1-2 for 11 points in the Reserve League this season and return to action on Sunday morning when they face the Colorado Rapids Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Colorado is 3-1-4 on the season.
LA Galaxy 4. Chivas USA 1
Monday, July 22, 2013
StubHub Center Field #6 –Carson, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
LA - Chandler Hoffman 2 (Laurent Courtois 1, Jack McBean 1) 6’
LA - Chandler Hoffman 3 (Unassisted) 9’
CHV - Bryan de la Fuente 1 (Jose Manuel Rivera 2) 10’
LA - Chandler Hoffman 4 (Unassisted) 54’
LA - Jack McBean 1 (Penalty Kick) 69’
Misconduct Summary:
CHV- Oswaldo Minda (Red Card) 59’
CHV-Bryan de la Fuente (Yellow Card) 61’
LA- Michael Stephens (Yellow Card) 87’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Brian Rowe; Oscar Sorto, Leonardo (Kofi Opare 70’), Tommy Meyer, Greg Cochrane (Bryan Gaul 70’); Michael Stephens, Kenney Walker, Rafael Garcia©, Laurent Courtois (Colin Clark 67’); Chandler Hoffman (Charlie Rugg 58’), Jack McBean (Raul Mendiola* 78’)
Substitutes Not Used: Haji Wright, Eric Lopez
LA Galaxy Academy Player
Shots: 19(12); Shots on Goal: 9(5); Saves: 4(2); Fouls: 17(6)
Chivas USA: Patrick McClain; Josue Soto, Marvin Iraheta, Jaime Frias, Emilio Orozco; Oswaldo Minda (Sent Off 59’), Jose Manuel Rivera©, David Izazola (James Alewine 64’), Julio Morales; Bryan de la Fuente, Jose Correa (Martin Ponce 40’)
Substitutes Not Used: Jake McGuire
* Chivas USA Academy Player
Shots: 9(5); Shots on Goal: 5(3); Saves: 6(3); Fouls: 16(8)
Referee: Magic Berenji
