LA Galaxy II (10-9-10, 40 points) drew 1-1 with San Antonio FC (10-11-8, 38 points) on Friday night at Dignity Health Sports Track & Field Stadium.
The game carried an exciting pace from the first whistle, and Los Dos took advantage of the early back-and-forth. High pressure from the home team forced a San Antonio turnover right to the feet of Jorge Hernandez. Hernandez took a few dribbles towards the edge of the area before letting a shot fly from 25 yards, a curling effort that found the side netting.
It was a dream start for Jorge Hernandez, who signed with Los Dos on Thursday.
San Antonio was quick to answer though, with the help from Frank Lopez, the Cuban forward who was loaned by Los Dos earlier this season. Brian Gomez put a ball into Rafa Castillo and Lopez near the top of the box. Lopez dummied the reception, leaving it for Castillo who popped it over the last line of LA Galaxy II defense, putting Lopez perfectly in on goal. Lopez smashed it past Los Dos ‘keeper Eric Lopez to level the match.
In the second half, LA Galaxy II were quickly given an advantage, when San Antonio midfielder Pecka was issued two yellows cards in a span of three minutes.
Los Dos first came close to a go ahead goal in the 68th minute when Kai Koreniuk put a shot on goal after splitting two defenders. Just a minute later, Ivan Gutierrez’s ball across the six-yard box was inches away from finding an open Jorge Hernandez for the easy finish.
Eric Lopez came up big for LA Galaxy II late in the game, making three impressive saves in the final 15 minutes of the match. Lopez’s efforts secured the draw for Los Dos as the match ended 1-1.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Jorge Hernandez 7’
SA – Frank Lopez 10’ (Assisted by Rafa Castillo)
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Tomas Hilliard-Arce 25’ (caution)
SA – Pecka 49’ (caution)
SA – Pecka 52’ (caution, ejection)
LA – Carlos Harvey 69’ (caution)
LA – Geoffrey Acheampong 82’ (caution)
SA – Walter Estrepo 84’ (caution)
Lineups:
LA Galaxy II: Eric Lopez; Omar Ontiveros, Tomas Hilliard-Arce ©, Nick DePuy, Justin Fiddes; Jose Hernandez (Ivan Gutierrez 67’), Carlos Harvey, Adam Saldaña (Geoffrey Acheampong 82’); Jorge Hernandez, Ethan Zubak (Augustine Williams 70’), Kai Koreniuk
Substitutions not used: Abraham Romero, Abdallah Shaibu, Nate Shultz, Adrian Vera.
Head Coach: Junior Gonzalez
TOTAL SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 4; FOULS: 17; OFFSIDE: 1; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 5.
San Antonio FC: Matthew Cardone; Kai Greene, Joshua Yaro, Ebenezer Ackon, Michael Lahoud; Pecka, Cristian Parano (Jack Barmby 82’), Rafa Castillo (Moises Hernandez 56’), Brian Gomez; Walter Restrepo, Frank Lopez (Tony Taylor 70’)
Substitutions not used: Jonathan Viscosi, Johnny Fenwick, Ryan Roushandel, Ever Guzman.
Head Coach: Darren Powell
TOTAL SHOTS: 18; SHOTS ON GOAL: 6; FOULS: 12; OFFSIDE: 0; CORNER KICKS: 7; SAVES: 3.
Referee: Michael Radchuk
Attendance: 990
NOTES:
- LA Galaxy II are 5-4-6 at home in 2019.
- Los Dos are 5-3-2 since Interim Manager Junior Gonzalez has taken over.
- Jorge Hernandez scored his first goal since signing his first professional contract with LA Galaxy II.
- Kai Koreniuk leads LA Galaxy II with eight goals this season.
- Jose Hernandez and Brian Iloski co-lead the team in assists (4).
- LA Galaxy II finished the 2018 USL season with a 7-6-4 home record and a 3-11-3 away record.
- Next up, LA Galaxy II are at home for a third straight weekend taking on OKC Energy FC at 7 p.m. PT on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Dignity Health Sports Park Track & Field Stadium.
- For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com/2.
