IRVINE, Calif. – Rafael Garcia, Travis Bowen and Gyasi Zardes scored as LA Galaxy II claimed a 3-0 victory against the Orange County Blues at Anteater Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The victory moved Galaxy II (4-1-2) back into a tie with Orlando City SC at the top of the USL PRO standings as they handed the Blues their heaviest defeat of the season. Los Dos’ win is their third against Orange County in their inaugural 2014 campaign.
The first half-hour was evenly played, but the tide turned in the 33rd minute when Blues defender Rauwshan McKenzie conceded a free kick right at the top of the penalty area after a fine run from Robbie Rogers. Garcia stepped up and curled a spectacular free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of Blues’ keeper Mohammad Mohammadi to give Galaxy II the lead.
From then on it was all Los Dos, who controlled the run of play for the remainder of the first half. LA Galaxy II added to their lead in the 50th minute as Kenney Walker slid a pass through for Bowen, who exploited the Blues’ high line. Bowen calmly stroked home his first goal of the season past the advancing Mohammadi.
Zardes completed the rout in the 65th minute as Galaxy II won possession in their own half and quickly pushed forward which allowed Zardes to turn and run at the Blues defense. The Galaxy Homegrown Player took the space and fired the ball into the bottom-right corner of Mohammadi’s net for the final goal of the afternoon.
The Blues’ misery was compounded in the 76th minute as right back Mershad Momeni was shown his second yellow card, which reduced Orange County to 10 men for the duration of the match.
Los Dos return to action next week when they play the Charlotte Eagles on Monday, May 5 at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT.
LA Galaxy II Season Ticket Memberships begin at just $6 per game. For more information on LA Galaxy, LA Galaxy II memberships, or group and single tickets, visit www.lagalaxy.com or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
