LA Galaxy II 0, Swope Park Rangers 3
Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village
Friday, Sept. 30, 2016
2016 USL Cup Playoffs
5:30 p.m. PT
www.lagalaxy.com/2
LA Galaxy II (12-7-11, 47 points) were defeated 3-0 by Swope Park Rangers (14-10-6, 48 points) in the first round of the USL Cup Playoffs on Friday night at Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo. The loss marks the first time Los Dos have lost an opening round match in the postseason. LA Galaxy II are now 3-3-0 all time in the USL playoffs.
The match took on an end-to-end identity early in the match, with both teams creating several chances in the final third. Ariel Lassiter was the end piece on many of those chances for Los Dos, including a rocket of a shot from outside the box late in the first half, one of Los Dos’ best first half chances.
Another chance included a header from Bradley Diallo that found the back of the net in the 42nd minute, but Adonis Amaya was whistled for a foul off-ball in the box.
Play in the match was physical from the first whistle, with Galaxy’s Jose Villarreal and Adonis Amaya earning yellow cards before the close of the half. The game was scoreless at the conclusion of the first half.
In the second half, Los Dos continued to string together possessions that found their way into Swope Park’s final third a number of times. Many developed through Denzel Slager on the right flank, but the SPR backline continued to make the necessary interventions.
The match’s script was significantly altered 20 minutes into the second half when Los Dos’ Jose Villarreal picked up a second yellow card on a physical header challenge. Los Dos were reduced to 10 men and without one of their best playmakers.
Los Dos felt the pressure almost immediately and it wouldn’t take long before SPR could take advantage. In the 76th minute, Bradley Diallo was able to clear a dangerous cross wide of the box, but the ball rolled softly back to its sender. SPR’s Tyler Pasher sent in a second cross that found the head of a wide-open Kris Tyrpak who easily headed the ball home.
LA didn’t go quietly though, and soon after the goal, Los Dos put SPR on their heels earning three corners in the game’s final 15 minutes that included trips down the field for LA goalkeeper Clement Diop.
But stretching itself forward, holes were left open for Swope Park to counter and they did so twice in extra-time. SPR’s Mark Anthony Gonzalez finished both chances, dribbling past Diop at the top of the box for the first and converting from close range for the second.
The Galaxy finished the season 12-8-11 including their playoff match. They were led in scoring by Jack McBean (15) and Ariel Lassiter (9) and were co-led in assists by Adonis Amaya and Jose Villarreal (5).
Scoring Summary:
SPR – Kris Tyrpak (Assisted by Tyler Pasher) 76’
SPR – Mark Anthony Gonzalez (Assisted by Emmanuel Appiah) 90’
SPR – Mark Anthony Gonzalez (Assisted by Ualefi) 90’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy II: Clement Diop; Josh Turnley, Jefrey Payeras, Bradley Diallo, Nathan Smith; Jose Villarreal, Alejandro Covarrubias (Ethan Zubak 87’), Jaime Villarreal, Denzel Slager (Bryam Rebellon 85’), Adonis Amaya (Bradford Jamieson IV 66’), Ariel Lassiter
Substitutions not used: Eric Lopez, Oscar Sorto, Adrian Vera, Lee Nishanian
GAME NOTES
- #5 LA Galaxy II (12-7-11, 47 points) were defeated 3-0 by #4 Swope Park Rangers (14-10-6, 48 points) in the first round of the USL Cup Playoffs on Friday night at Children’s Mercy Victory Field at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Mo.
- Los Dos are now 3-3-0 all-time in the USL postseason.
- Los Dos have made the postseason in all three years of their existence as a USL club.
- LA Galaxy II finished the 2016 regular season with a 12-7-11 record. They finished 2015 with a 14-11-3 record. They finished 2014 with a 15-7-6 record.
- Los Dos are now 41-25-20 all-time in USL play.
- LA Galaxy II were the 2015 USL Western Conference Champions. In 2014, they were beaten by Sacramento Republic FC in the 2014 postseason.
- LA Galaxy II clinched their playoff spot with a 1-0 home win against Rio Grande Valley FC on Sept. 14.
- LA Galaxy II clinched the #5 seed with a 3-1 win over Real Monarchs SLC on Sept. 24.
- Los Dos led the Western Conference in goals scored (52). They were the only Western Conference team to have scored 50 goals on the season.
- 15 scored for LA Galaxy II in 2016, tied with Sacramento for most of any Western Conference team.
- Los Dos were led in scoring by Jack McBean (15) and Ariel Lassiter (9).
- Los Dos were co-led in assists by Adonis Amaya and Jose Villarreal (5).
