LA Galaxy II (3-3-1, 10 points) drew 4-4 at home against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (2-3-3, 9 points) on Wednesday.
LA Galaxy II opened the match strong, with their first significant scoring chance in the 4th minute. Diedie Traore started the play with a brilliant back heel flick to Kai Koreniuk, who whipped a shot on goal. Koreniuk’s shot was saved by Rio Grande Valley FC goalkeeper Tyler Deric.
The home team continued to press offensively. Their efforts were rewarded in the 39th minute when Traore made a sensational run, dancing past four Toros players to slot a shot through the legs of goalkeeper Deric. Los Dos entered halftime up by one.
Los Dos remained in control to begin the second half, securing their second goal of the night in the 74th minute. Nate Shultz lofted a long ball to the feet of Brian Iloski who was on a breakaway. Iloski’s run forced Deric off his line, giving the newly signed Los Dos midfielder a chance to lay the ball to Koreniuk who tucked it into the back of the net.
The Toros were not without a response though, as Michael Salazar answered with goals in the 77th and 79th minutes. Carlos Small added to the visiting side’s tally with a goal from close range in the 83rd minute to put his team in the lead for the first time in the match. However, defender Nick DePuy put Los Dos right back in it after a well taken corner from the left-footed Iloski. With his towering height, DePuy found Iloski’s cross to deliver a great header into the back of the net in the 87th minute.
But there would still be two goals left to score in the match, both coming in stoppage time. In the first minute of added time, Salazar found a third to record his first hat trick of the season. With the seconds ticking away, LA Galaxy II made a final effort to equalize. Justin Fiddes fired a shot off from distance that was saved by Deric, but the rebound landed at the feet of Koreniuk. He poked it through to record his second of the night and secure a point for LA Galaxy II.
LA Galaxy II are back at home to host Las Vegas Lights FC at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Diedie Traore 39’
LA – Kai Koreniuk (Assisted by Brian Iloski) 74’
RGV – Michael Salazar (Assisted by Maalique Foster) 77’
RGV – Michael Salazar (Assisted by Robert Corondo) 79’
RGV. – Carlos Small 83’
LA – Nick DePuy (Assisted by Brian Iloski) 87’
RGV – Michael Salazar 90+1’
LA – Kai Koreniuk 90+6’
Misconduct Summary:
RGV – Robert Coronado 20’
RGV – Romilio Hernandez 66’
RGV – Tyler Deric 90+3’
Lineups:
LA Galaxy II: Abraham Romero; Diedie Traore (Justin Fiddes 45’ (Augustine Williams 86’)), Nick DePuy, Michael Gallagher ©, Nate Shultz; Ernesto Walker, Jose Hernandez (Adrian Vera 76’), Brian Iloski, Kai Koreniuk, Don Tchilao; Frank Lopez
Substitutions not used: Justin Vom Steeg, Tomas Hilliard-Arce, Ethan Zubak
TOTAL SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 6; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 5; SAVES: 6.
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros: Tyler Deric; Zach Jackson, Conor Donovan ©, Kyle Adams, Robert Coronado; David Cabrera (Isidro Martinez 68’), Romilio Hernandez, Wilmer Andres Cabrera (Michael Salazar 74’); Jesus Enriquez, Carlos Small, Kevin Rodriguez (Maalique Foster 61’)
Substitution not used: Nico Corti, Robert Castellanos, Sergio Mena, Victor Garza
TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 10; FOULS: 11; OFFSIDE: 2; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3.
Referee: Alejandro Mariscal
Assistant Referee: Eduardo Jeff
Assistant Referee: Eric Wood
Fourth Official: Denis Vargas
Attendance: 536
NOTES:
- LA Galaxy II (3-3-1, 10 points) drew 4-4 at home against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros (2-3-3, 9 points) on Wednesday.
- LA Galaxy II are 2-1-1 at home this season.
- Brian Iloski made his first start for LA Galaxy II during the match and recorded two assists.
- Kai Koreniuk recorded a brace for the second time this season.
- Kai Koreniuk leads the team in goals this year (4).
- Brian Iloski, Emil Cuello, Ernesto Walker and Kai Koreniuk co-lead the team in assists this year (2).
- 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 are back at home to host Las Vegas Lights FC at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium on Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. PT.
