Carson, Calif. – Charlie Rugg scored for the LA Galaxy just before halftime but Chris Cortez tallied a late equalizer as the Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw with the USL Pro’s L.A. Blues on Saturday night at StubHub Center. The Galaxy appeared to be headed for their second straight win over the Blues, only for Cortez to finish off a Rodrigo Lopez cross late on to earn his side a share of the points.
The game got off to a less than perfect start for the Galaxy as they were forced to change goalkeepers after just seven minutes when Brian Perk collided with a Blues’ attacker after making a save and was replaced by Brian Rowe.
Despite the early change, the Galaxy were able to control the play for much of the opening half and were rewarded with the game’s opening goal just before halftime. Todd Dunivant, who was playing after missing the previous three regular season games with a muscle strain, raced past a Blues’ defender and whipped a left-footed cross into the box for Charlie Rugg. The rookie’s initial shot was saved by Blues’ goalkeeper Mohammad Mohammeni, but the rebound fell straight back to Rugg, who tapped home the rebound, sending LA into the break with a 1-0 lead.
After the break, the Galaxy continued to have the better of the play and were unlucky not to double their lead in the 71st minute when Rafael Garcia, who played at right back for the final 32 minutes after Marcelo Sarvas replaced Dunivant, struck the post with a curling freekick.
Second half substitutes Raul Mendiola and Jack McBean, who was seeing his first action since fracturing his clavicle against Real Salt Lake on April 27, each had chances to double the LA lead late on, only to be denied by Mohammeni, setting the stage for the Blues’ late equalizer.
After a save from Mendiola, the Blues began a quick counter attack that allowed Rodrigo Lopez to get free on the right wing and fire a low cross into the box for Chris Cortez, who lunged at the ball and redirected his shot into the top corner of the goal, past Rowe, to give his team a 1-1 draw.
The Galaxy Reserves (1-1-2, 5 pts.) will return to action on Sunday, July 14 when they travel north to take on the Portland Timbers.
LA Galaxy 1, L.A. Blues 1
Saturday, June 6, 2013
StubHub Center – Carson, Calif.
Scoring Summary:
LAG – Charlie Rugg 1 (Unassisted) 42’
LAB – Chris Cortez 6 (Rodrigo Lopez 5) 90’
Misconduct Summary:
LAG – Colin Clark (Yellow Card) 61’
LAG – Kenney Walker (Yellow Card) 80’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Brian Perk (Brian Rowe 7’); Todd Dunivant© (Marcelo Sarvas 58’), Brian Gaul, Kofi Opare, Greg Cochrane; Colin Clark (Raul Mendiola* 87’), Kenney Walker, Rafael Garcia, Robbie Rogers (Hector Jimenez 73’); Chandler Hoffman, Charlie Rugg (Jack McBean 75’)
Substitutes Not Used: Tommy Meyer
* LA Galaxy Academy player
L.A. Blues: Mohammad Mohammeni; Matt Hall, Erlys Garcia, Jimmy Turner, Duach Jock; Allan Russell© (Nelson Pizarro 85’), Rodrigo Lopez, Gabriel Gonzalez (Juan Perez 76’), Mehrshad Momeni (Shay Spitz 54’); George Davis, Aaron Horton (Chris Cortez 79’).
Substitutes Not Used: Aaron Perez, Charlie Pettys, Cory Miller
Referee: Bernardo Hosu
LAG LAB
Shots: 18(10) 9(4)
Shots on Goal: 4(2) 4(2)
Saves: 3(2) 5(3)
Fouls: 13(6) 3(1)
