HERRIMAN, UTAH (Friday, May 14, 2021) – A pair of first-half goals gave LA Galaxy II a 2-0 victory on the road against Real Monarchs SLC on Friday night at Zions Bank Stadium as Kai Koreniuk and Preston Judd each scored their second goals of the season for the visitors.
Los Dos are now unbeaten in their previous three matches, going 2-0-1 in that span with eight goals scored and just one conceded.
LA Galaxy II took the lead in the 24th minute off a throw-in on the right as the ball came to Adrian Gonzalez, who drove into the right side of the penalty area and fired a low cross that found Koreniuk at the back post for a first-time finish.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 44th minute as Jorge Hernandez played a deft through-ball with the outside of his left foot that found the gap between two defenders and allowed Judd to run on into the penalty area. Judd controlled and then slid a low finish home just inside the right post to give the visitors a two-goal lead.
Los Dos were denied a third just two minutes into the second half as first Daniel Aguirre and then Axel Picazo had shots stopped by Real goalkeeper Jeffrey Dewsnup, and just before the hour-mark Koreniuk fired a shot just wide of the left post. The Monarchs went close to pulling a goal back midway through the half as Johnson got into space, but sent his finish from the left side of the penalty area wide as Vom Steeg quickly came off his line to challenge.
Judd had a chance to add his second of the game for the Galaxy II with 15 minutes to go but was well denied by Dewsnup from the top-left corner of the six-yard area, while 10 minutes later the Monarchs’ Aris Briggs fired another shot on frame that was saved by Vom Steeg. That proved the final serious threat for the hosts as the Galaxy II walked away with all three points.
In their next match, LA Galaxy II host Sporting Kansas City II on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park.
USLChampionship.com Man of the Match
Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II – Hernandez kept up his strong start to the season with an assist and four key passes overall while also completing 23 of 28 passes and winning 3 of 3 tackles in midfield.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Kai Koreniuk (Assisted by Adrian Gonzalez) 24’
LA – Preston Judd (Assisted by Jorge Hernandez) 44’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy II: Justin Vom Steeg; Owen Lambe, Marcus Ferkranus, Jesus Vazquez, Josh Drack (Felix Barajas 88’); Axel Picazo (Victor Valdez 81’), Adrian Gonzalez (Taylor Davila 77’), Jorge Hernandez, Daniel Aguirre, Kai Koreniuk (Isaac Bawa 81’); Preston Judd.
Bench: Alan Solorio, Sebastian Hernandez, Adrian Aguilar
Head Coach: Junior Gonzalez
Attendance: 1,715
Referee: Elijio Arreguin
STATS: TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 4.
NOTES:
- LA Galaxy II played their first road contest of the 2021 season Friday night, earning a 2-0 win over Real Monarchs in Utah.
- This year, Los Dos are now 2-1-1 with seven points, eight goals scored and two conceded for a +6 goal differential.
- Los Dos are now unbeaten in their previous three matches, going 2-0-1 in that span with eight goals scored and just one conceded.
- LA Galaxy II are now 1-0-0 on the road this season.
- LA Galaxy II featured three first-team players in the starting XI on Wednesday evening: Justin Vom Steeg, Marcus Ferkranus and Kai Koreniuk.
- Koreniuk and Preston Judd tallied their second goals of the season. Both are tied with Jorge Hernandez as LA Galaxy II’s top scorers.
- In their next match, LA Galaxy II host Sporting Kansas City II on Wednesday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m. PT at Dignity Health Sports Park.
- Head Coach Junior Gonzalez now holds a 17-13-6 record throughout his head coaching tenure with LA Galaxy II and has led the team to two-consecutive playoff appearances.
- In 2020, Los Dos finished the regular season 8-6-2 with 26 points (4-3-1 at home and 4-3-1 on the road), earning them second place in Group B standings and clinching a berth in the USL Championship Playoffs for the second-straight season.
- United Soccer League will feature 31 teams set to play 496 regular season contests over 28 weeks ahead of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs that begin in November.
- LA Galaxy II compete in the USL Championship Western Conference Pacific Division for the 2021 campaign alongside the following clubs: Las Vegas Lights FC, Oakland Roots SC, Orange County SC, Phoenix Rising FC, Sacramento Republic FC, San Diego Loyal SC and Tacoma Defiance.
- For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com.
