LA Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo ran the gamut of emotions on Saturday evening after his team surrendered a two-goal lead late allowing Sacramento Republic FC to qualify for the USL PRO final with a 3-2 comeback win over Los Dos.
But Onalfo had no qualms with his own group, but instead blamed Galaxy II’s collapse directly at the officiating crew of referee Baboucarr Jallow.
All three of Sacramento’s goals–each scored by Rodrigo Lopez—came off set pieces including two penalty kick calls that left the Galaxy II boss fuming.
“It’s one of those games that you just walk away shaking your head and the league should be ashamed of themselves for such a poor officiating job. It’s an absolute disgrace and I’m disgusted by it,” Onalfo told LA Galaxy Insider on Saturday evening. “The sad thing is that we have a bunch of young men who have worked hard all year and positioned themselves to host the final but it got pulled away.
“While I’m very disappointed, I’m extremely proud of our young group played and how they performed all season. We have an average of around 22 and there’s certainly a difference of experience [between us and Sacramento], but our guys showed so much character and will to win,” he added. “Obviously, we want to win every time that we step on the field, but there are always lessons to be learned from this.”
Heading into the last 30 minutes, Galaxy II appeared to have wrapped up the victory after two goals from Charlie Rugg put Los Dos out in front, but soon the lead crumbled. An Andre Auras foul in the penalty area set up the first penalty kick and then minutes later, Joe Franco was called for a questionable handball that allowed Republic to pull level.
In stoppage time, Republic sealed the deal as yet another foul on Galaxy II at the top of the box set up a free kick opportunity for Lopez, who smashed it past goalkeeper Brian Perk for the dramatic victory to send Sacramento’s Bonney Field into bedlam.
While Onalfo directed a pointed criticism at Jallow, a frequent MLS assistant referee, technical director Jovan Kirovski took aim at USL PRO for not having experienced officials in such a pivotal game.
“The calls that were made were things that I hadn’t seen in a very long time. We need quality officials to be able to handle a hostile environment [like Bonney Field],” Kirovski told LA Galaxy Insider. “The officials that were there could not handle it and it killed the game. This has nothing to do with whether or not we lost the game, but I simply think that the officiating needs to be much better at this high level.
“Our kids played well and to have the officials decide the game was just not appropriate. Sacramento played well, but it shouldn’t be the officials who decide the game,” he added. “It’s tough for referees in such a difficult and hostile environment, but now that there is more interest in this league, we need more quality officials in such important matches.”
But even amid all the frustration with the officiating crew, Onalfo found a lesson for his group as they look ahead to next season.
“I always try to find the silver lining in things and the only thing that I could tell them is that next season we need to be hosting these games,” Onalfo said. “We want to be able to have these games at home and not travel on the road. We have to improve.
“The motivation for next year is to try and win the league.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
