CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy II crashed out of the U.S. Open Cup in the Third Round of the competition after falling on penalties 3-1 to U.S. Adult Soccer Association side PSA Elite following a scoreless 120 minutes.
PSA Elite defender Aaron Simmons converted the decisive penalty past Los Dos goalkeeper Cody Laurendi in the fourth round of the shootout to eliminate Galaxy II. Jack McBean, Bradford Jamieson IV and Andre Auras were each unsuccessful with their attempts from the spot after Laurent Courtois converted the opening penalty.
Although their finishing touch eluded them throughout the match, Galaxy II created the lion’s share of opportunities in the first half. Despite their lack of early possession, PSA Elite did force Laurendi into making two spectacular saves.
Galaxy II continued to control the match in the second half, as Jamieson IV and McBean were each denied at the doorstep by last-ditch defending by PSA Elite. LA’s best opportunity of the match came in the 80th minute.
Amid a flurry of activity in the penalty area, McBean slotted a shot into the PSA goal, but referee Michael Zapata whistled PSA Elite for an earlier foul in the box that controversially negated the tally. Travis Bowen stepped up to the spot, but his shot was easily saved by Edwards to preserve the deadlock, which continued into extra time.
In extra time, Galaxy II again controlled the run of play and had repeated looks at goal, but poor finishing prevented them from besting Edwards. Los Dos came closest in the 105th minute but Bowen’s finishing failed him again as he headed a McBean cross over the bar.
For all of the Galaxy II’s attempts, it was PSA Elite with the clearest chance of extra time when Mats Bjurman found himself unmarked in the 18-yard box, but he fired his attempt over the box. Although Galaxy II regained control of the match, they were unable to find the decisive goal before the match was decided via penalties.
The LA Galaxy II return to action on Sunday when they travel to Washington State to face the Seattle Sounders Reserves at Starfire Sports Complex at 1:00 p.m. PT in USL PRO regular season action.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
LA GALAXY II 0 (1) – PSA ELITE 0 (3)
LA Galaxy II: Cody Laurendi; Joe Franco, Kyle Venter, Bradly Diallo, Eder Arreola; Aleksandar Đoković (Laurent Courtois 97’), Alejandro Covarrubias (Andre Auras 52’), Rafael Garcia©, Bradford Jamieson IV; Travis Bowen, Charlie Rugg (Jack McBean 58’)
Substitutions not used: Nicholas Shackelford, Daniel Steres, Oscar Sorto, Logan Emory
Head Coach: Curt Onalfo
PSA Elite: Earl Edwards Jr.; Erlys Garcia Baro (Robert Amick 64’), Aaron Simmons, Nathan Smith, Jaime Cano; Jacob Barron, Jose Preciado, Cameron Iwasa (Michael Sahagian 73’), Mats Bjurman; Lester Hayes (Luis Gonzalez 105’), Michael Salazar
Substitutions not used: Kris Minton, Kayvon Afsarifard, Gerzon Blanco, Jesse Escalante
Head Coach: Gary Berry
Disciplinary Summary:
PSA: Michael Salazar (caution) 21’
PSA: Jacob Barron (caution) 65’
LA: Jack McBean (caution) 87’
PSA: Nathan Smith (caution) 88’
LA: Rafael Garcia (caution) 97’
PSA: Jose Preciado (caution) 100’
LA: Andre Auras (caution) 103’
