CARY, N.C. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano offers his Three Points to the LA Galaxy’s 2-0 U.S. Open Cup Third Round defeat to the Carolina RailHawks.
NIGHTMARE TWO MINUTES COST THE GALAXY
The LA Galaxy controlled the game for 58 minutes, but a nightmare stretch of two minutes sent them out of the U.S. Open Cup.
RailHawks midfielder Austin da Luz put the RailHawks up 1-0 in the 59th minute when he combined with forward Zack Schilawski and fired a shot that squeezed underneath Brian Rowe and into the net. The Galaxy were left stunned after the RailHawks goal and Carolina caught them just two minutes later when Schilawaski played distributor for a second time, finding Brian Shriver, who blasted his shot past Rowe at the far post for the clincher.
The two quick Carolina goals left LA stunned as they were ultimately unable to come close to cutting the lead over the final 30 minutes. With the Galaxy out, the RailHawks will host Chivas USA for the second straight year in the U.S. Open Cup Fourth Round on June 12.
THE GALAXY ATTACK STRUGGLES TO CREATE ANY OFFENSE
Throughout their U.S. Open Cup match with the Carolina RailHawks, the LA Galaxy looked a cut above the NASL side in terms of keeping possession, but the Galaxy’s offense was lagging behind.
In fact, LA did not earn their first shot on goal until the 71st minute when second half substitute Gyasi Zardes saw his shot saved by Carolina ‘keeper Akira Fitzgerald. Much of LA’s struggles in the attack were in part due to a strong game from former MLS defender Julius James, who neutralized Galaxy forwards Charlie Rugg and Jose Villarreal with his superior positioning and physical play.
As the Galaxy pushed to battle back into the match, the attack continued to struggle as they attempted to play almost exclusively through the middle. However, the tightly packed RailHawks defense was able to force the Galaxy into costly turnovers and prevent LA from creating much pressure on goal.
ROGERS CONTINUES HIS PROGRESSION
Robbie Rogers went 28 minutes in the LA Galaxy’s 2-0 defeat to the Carolina RailHawks to continue his return to full fitness.
With the Galaxy down two goals, Rogers entered the match to provide an offensive spark, but the midfielder wasn’t able to help the Galaxy claw their way back into the game. Despite entering the match for winger Colin Clark, Rogers spent his shift tucked into central midfield, allowing Greg Cochrane to push forward on the left wing, as he looked to spark LA’s attack. Rogers had plenty of touches, but the RailHawks defense routinely pressed the Galaxy midfielder to knock him off his game.
After his second appearance in a Galaxy uniform in less than a week, it is likely that Rogers will get to continue his march toward full fitness on Sunday afternoon when the Galaxy take on the New England Revolution in MLS play.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
