On Wednesday evening, LA Galaxy II (4-4-5, 17 points) secured a 2-2 draw against Tacoma Defiance (2-9-3, 9 points) at Dignity Health Sport Park Track & Field Stadium. The result marks the third consecutive match that Los Dos have come back from two goals down.
After a wonderful chance from Juninho to start the match, Los Dos were caught out of position on the counterattack. Former LA Galaxy II player Justin Dhillon found himself in a one-on-one situation with the Galaxy’s goalkeeper Abraham Romero after a heavy touch from a Los Dos defender. Dhillon was able to slot one across net to give the visiting side an early lead.
Tacoma Defiance secured one more goal before halftime to extend their lead. In the 21st minute, Jesse Daley connected on a long range strike that beat Romero top shelf. With the goal, LA Galaxy II entered halftime down by two goals.
To start the second half, Los Dos had their fair share of chances. In the 47th minute, Juninho had a great look on goal from the top of the box, but his powerful strike was deflected just wide. About 10 minutes later, left-footed Brian Ilsoki had a dangerous chance that barely missed to the right of Bryan Meredith’s goal.
Iloski was involved in another important play when he drew a foul in the box during the 70th minute. LA Galaxy II was awarded a penalty, which Juninho stepped up to take. Unfortunately for the home team, Tacoma’s goalkeeper guessed correctly and was able to save Juninho’s right-footed penalty that was headed toward the bottom right corner.
With the time ticking away, LA Galaxy II were finally able to pull themselves within one goal in the 87th minute. Jose Hernandez started the play by setting up Frank Lopez with a superb through ball, making it easy for him to head it on goal. Feeling the potential for an equalizer, LA Galaxy II continued to press offensively and another scoring chance came three minutes later. This time it was Lopez who laid one off to Iloski positioned at the top of the box. Iloski rocketed a left-footed shot to the bottom right corner, securing a point for LA Galaxy II.
Next up, LA Galaxy II begin a three-game road trip starting against OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium on Saturday, June 1 at 6:00 p.m. PT.
Scoring Summary:
TAC – Justin Dhillon 4’
TAC – Jesse Daley (Assisted by Azriel Gonzalez) 21’
LA – Frank Lopez (Assisted by Jose Hernandez) 87’
LA – Brian Iloski (Assisted by Frank Lopez) 90’
Misconduct Summary:
TAC – Denso Ulysse (Caution) 23’
LA – Adrian Vera (Caution) 40’
LA – Nick DePuy (Caution) 41’
LA – Justin Fiddes (Caution) 42’
LA – Abraham Romero (Caution) 42’
TAC – Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez 42’
TAC – Azriel Gonzalez (Caution) 43’
TAC – Justin Dhillon (Caution) 75’
LA – Kai Koreniuk (Caution) 82’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy II: Abraham Romero; Justin Fiddes, Michael Gallagher, Nick DePuy, Mauricio Cuevas (Don Tchilao 75’); Brian Iloski, Adrian Vera (Jose Hernandez 81’), Juninho ©, Kai Koreniuk; Ethan Zubak, Augustine Williams (Frank Lopez 60’)
Substitutions not used: Eric Lopez, Nate Shultz, Jorge Hernandez, Omar Ontiveros
TOTAL SHOTS: 26; SHOTS ON GOAL: 8; FOULS: 14; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 11; SAVES: 4.
Tacoma Defiance: Bryan Meredith ©; Denso Ulysse, Aleks Berkolds, Josh Atencio, Matt Nance; Joel Rydstrand, Jesse Daley, Antonee Burke-Gilroy (Gabe Threadgold 90’+3’); Alfonso Ocampo-Chavez (Danny Robles 69’), Justin Dhillon (Nick Hinds 79’), Azriel Gonzalez
Substitution not used: Jacob Castro, Modou Ndow
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 19; OFFSIDE: 10; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 5.
Referee: Malik Badawi
Assistant Referees: Diego Blas and Christian Lara
Fourth Official: Brandon Stevis
Attendance: 681
NOTES:
- On Wednesday evening, LA Galaxy II (4-4-5, 17 points) secured a 2-2 draw against Tacoma Defiance (2-9-3, 9 points) at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium.
- The result marks the third consecutive match that Los Dos have come back from two goals down.
- Brian Iloski recorded his second goal with LA Galaxy II in the match.
- Frank Lopez recorded his second goal of the 2019 season in the match.
- LA Galaxy II are 3-2-4 at home this season.
- Kai Koreniuk leads the team in goals this year (4).
- Brian Iloski leads the team in assists this year (3).
- LA Galaxy II finished the 2018 USL Championship season with a 7-6-4 home record and a 3-11-3 away record.
- Next up, LA Galaxy II begin a three-game road trip starting against OKC Energy FC at Taft Stadium on Saturday, June 1 at 6:00 p.m. PT.
