LA Galaxy II faced the US U-18 Men's National Team in a preseason closed-door scrimmage on Wednesday, Feb. 6.
In the first half, Los Dos dominated possession with the first testing shot coming in the 17th minute. Ethan Zubak fought past defenders to find Frank Lopez in the box. Lopez dropped it back for Geoffrey Acheampong whose shot went just wide of David Ochoa's net.LA Galaxy II rattled off shot after shot and were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 41st minute. Adrian Vera outpaced a US defender, taking a shot just outside the 16-yard box. His shot dipped down to find its target. LA Galaxy II went up 1-0 at half.
After halftime, Los Dos started a lineup,playing a mixture of LA Galaxy Boys' Academy players and trialists. Cameron Harper found a gap in the Los Dos defense and was able to capitalize with a goal in the 53rd minute, leveling the score. Four minutes later, a penalty was awarded to the US U-18s and was converted by Roberto Hategan.
Both sides continued to press offensively. Eric Lopez came up with some impressive saves to keep the Galaxy within one. Los Dos' onslaught of shots finally paid off in the 86th minute when they earned a corner kick. Academy player Cesar Rivera looped the ball into the box where it was met by the head of trialist Milo Barton.
Lineups
LA Galaxy II
First Half: Justin Vom Steeg; John Requejo, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Charlie Scott, Mauricio Cuevas; Geoffrey Acheampong, Jose Hernandez, Adrian Vera, Augustine Williams; Frank Lopez, Ethan Zubak
Second Half: Eric Lopez; Togo Nakamura, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Brian Hernandez, Cesar Rivera; Charlie Scott (Cameron Dunbar* 20'), Adam Saldana, Lucas Gonzalez, Milo Barton; Aidon Apodaca, Emmanuel Agboola
* denotes LA Galaxy Academy player
denotes unsigned trialist
US U-18 MNT
First Half: David Ochoa; Julian Hinojosa, Leonardo Sepulveda, Erwin Martinez, David Mendoza; Matteo Ritaccio, Oscar Cervantes, Cole Bassett; Cameron Harper, Roberto Hategan, Emmanuel Haro
Second Half: Patrick Shulte; Kai Lammers, Christian Ortiz, Ethan Bryant, Armando Munoz-Zarate, Cole Bassett, Alec Diaz, Emmanuel Haro, Bryce Duke, Hunter George, Marlon Vargas
Scoring Summary
LA - Adrian Vera 41'
USA - Cameron Harper 53'
USA - Roberto Hategan 57'
LA - Milo Barton 86'
