CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy II (2-0-1) picked up their second victory of their inaugural USL PRO campaign and remained undefeated after three games with a 4-2 victory over Oklahoma City Energy FC (1-1-0) on Monday evening at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium.
After falling behind on a goal by Oklahoma City’s Peabo Doue in the eighth minute, Galaxy II scored three times in the first half as Laurent Courtois, Chandler Hoffman and Daniel Steres found the back of the net for LA. Oklahoma City tried to rally in the second half as substitute Pete Caringi tallied early on but the equalizing goal eluded Energy FC and Aleksandar Dovoic sealed the deal Galaxy II with a stoppage time goal.
The match started poorly for Curt Onalfo’s side as a defensive miscue by Los Dos right back Oscar Sorto resulted in a goal from Energy FC forwad Peabo Doue. The lead lasted just five minutes however as a free kick by Courtois from the edge of the box sailed through the Oklahoma City defense and into the back of net for the French player-coach’s first goal for the USL PRO side.
LA doubled their lead in the 35th minute when a Jack McBean cross found a leaping Hoffman who headed home past a helpless Jon Kempin. Los Dos found the eventual winner four minutes later when French defensive midfielder Andre Auras, who enjoyed a stellar debut, found defender Daniel Steres for the center back’s second goal of the campaign.
The Galaxy almost grabbed a fourth goal before halftime as McBean took advantage of a defensive error but the forward fired his shot well over the net when one-on-one with the keeper.
Oklahoma City needed just 14 minutes in the second stanza to cut LA’s lead in half as Caringi smashed a cross by Adda Djeziri past goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Energized by their goal, Energy FC dominated possession in the second half as they placed Onalfo’s side on the back heel. The pressure only intensified in the closing moments, but the Galaxy held firm making a number of last ditch stops including a timely block by center back Kofi Opare of an Energy FC shot from inside the penalty area.
This pressure from the visitors led to acres of attacking space for Galaxy II on the counter which was exploited in stoppage time when Raul Mendiola launched a pinpoint through ball to a waiting Dokovic who slotted home an easy finish from close range to seal the three points.
Los Dos return to action next week when they play the fourth match of their five game homestand against Sacramento Republic FC on Sunday at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
LA GALAXY II 4 – ENERGY FC 2
StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium – 7:30 p.m. PT
Attendance: 525
Scoring Summary:
OKC: 8’: Peabo Doue (Assisted by Kyle Greig)
LA: 14’: Laurent Courtois (Unassisted)
LA: 35’: Chandler Hoffman (Assisted by Jack McBean)
LA: 39’: Daniel Steres (Assisted by Andre Auras)
OKC: 59’: Pete Caringi (Assisted by Adda Djeziri)
LA: 90’: Aleksandar Đoković (Assisted by Raul Mendiola)
LA Galaxy II: Brian Rowe; Oscar Sorto (Kyle Venter 75’), Daniel Steres, Kofi Opare, Logan Emory; Andre Auras (Alejandro Covarrubias 74’), Rafael Garcia©, Laurent Courtois (Aleksandar Đoković 56’), Raul Mendiola; Chandler Hoffman (Eder Arreola 89’), Jack McBean (Charlie Rugg 64’)
Substitutions not used: Cody Laurendi, Bradford Jamieson IV
Head Coach: Curt Onalfo
Energy FC: Jon Kempin; Kyle Miller (Abraham Villon 83’), Tarek Morad, Gareth Evans, Cyprian Hedrick (Max Gunderson 46’); Michael Thomas©, Christian Duke, Nate Shiffman (Pete Caringi 46’), Adda Djeziri (Paul Wyatt 69’), Peabo Doue (Steven Perry 68’); Kyle Greig
Substitutions not used: Samir Badr, David Leichty
Head Coach: Jimmy Nielsen
Disciplinary Summary:
OKC: Tarek Morad (caution) 45’
LA: Andre Auras (caution) 48’
OKC: Michael Thomas (caution) 57’
