LOS ANGELES (Sunday, May 9, 2021) – LA Galaxy II tied 1-1 against Tacoma Defiance on Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park behind a free-kick goal from LA Galaxy II midfielder Jorge Hernandez – his second of the week – before Defiance’s Abdoulaye Cissoko scored from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time to equalize.
Los Dos got off on the front foot as Augustine Williams had an early attempt to curl a shot past Tacoma goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland in the 18th minute after Cleveland had come out of his penalty area to clear a long ball upfield, but the goalkeeper recovered in time to save.
The best chance of the first half arrived a minute before the break as LA’s Jorge Hernandez lifted a pass over the Defiance back line for Kai Koreniuk, but his first-time finish from 15 yards was saved by Cleveland. Los Dos also threatened inside the opening two minutes of the second half as a corner from the right reached Jesus Vazquez at the back post, but Cleveland got across to make the save once again.
Los Dos continued to carry the majority of the play and almost grabbed the lead in the 61st minute on a diving header by Koreniuk that was kept out by Cleveland.
With 12 minutes to go, Los Dos took the lead on a free-kick goal from Hernandez. After the LA Galaxy Academy product was brought down 20 yards from goal centrally, the midfielder produced his second outstanding free kick finish of the week, curling a shot into the top-left corner to give the hosts the lead.
Deep into stoppage time, Tacoma was given the chance to equalize on a penalty kick after a handball was called in the box. Cissoko fired into the top-right corner of the net with what proved the final kick of the game to earn Tacoma a point.
LA Galaxy II will now travel to face Real Monarchs at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. PT.
LA Galaxy II compete this year 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.
USLChampionship.com Man of the Match
Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II – Hernandez scored the go-ahead goal for the Galaxy II and put in a stellar display otherwise, completing 44 of 49 passes and recording five key passes while also winning 10 duels,
Scoring Summary:
LA – Jorge Hernández 78’
TAC – Abdoulaye Cissoko (penalty) 90’+6’
Misconduct Summary:
LA – Adrian Gonzalez (caution) 13’
TAC – Taylor Mueller (caution) 35’
TAC – Obed Vargas (caution) 36’
LA – Jesus Vazquez (caution) 48’
TAC – Issa Rayyan (caution) 63’
TAC – Jose Carlos Anguano (caution) 77’
LA – Owen Lamber (caution0 80’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy II: Justin Vom Steeg; Owen Lambe, Marcus Ferkranus, Jesus Vazquez, Josh Drack; Daniel Aguirre (Taylor Davila 69’), Adrian Gonzalez, Jorge Hernandez; Axel Picazo, Kai Koreniuk (Preston Judd 69’); Augustine Williams (Sebastian Nava 83’).
Substitutions not used: Alan Solorio, Felix Barajas, Sebastian Hernandez, Adrian Aguilar.
Head Coach: Junior Gonzalez
STATS: TOTAL SHOTS: 12; SHOTS ON GOAL: 5; FOULS: 15; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 2.
Referee: Ricardo Fierro
NOTES:
- LA Galaxy II returned to Dignity Health Sports Park for their third game of the 2021 USL Championship Regular Season against Tacoma Defiance on Sunday night, earning a 1-1 draw at home.
- This year, Los Dos are now 1-1-1 with four points, six goals scored and two conceded for a +4 goal differential.
- In all, LA are now 3-4-3 vs. Tacoma all time, earning a 2-2 draw in 2020 in their most recent contest in May of 2019. Today marks Tacoma’s opening match of the 2021 season.
- LA Galaxy II featured four first-team players in the starting XI on Wednesday evening: Justin Vom Steeg, Marcus Ferkranus, Augustine Williams and Kai Koreniuk.
- Head Coach Junior Gonzalez now holds a 16-13-6 record throughout his head coaching tenure with LA Galaxy II and has led the team to two-consecutive playoff appearances.
- LA Galaxy II will now travel to face Real Monarchs at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday, May 14 at 6:00 p.m. PT.
- 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.
