CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy Academy sides split a pair of results on Sunday afternoon at fields surrounding The Home Depot Center.
The LA Galaxy Under-18s defeated the Chivas USA Under-18’s 3-1 in the first game of the morning. The match was a physical affair as Justin Dhillon opened the scoring for the Galaxy before Daniel Moreno leveled it for Chivas. LA would take the lead late in the first half when Drew Murphy put the Galaxy up just before half time. LA continued to dominate in the second half and Jack McBean would add an insurance goal just seconds before full time.
Meanwhile, in the second match, the Galaxy Under-16’s fell 2-0 to their Chivas counterparts. The young Rojiblancos controlled wide stretches of the match and opened the scoring when Alejandro Vergara fired a pinpoint cross to Caleb Calvert. Chivas would add a second in the closing stages of the match as Daniel Crisostomo sealed the win.
Below are general thoughts from U-18 head coach Eddie Soto and U-16 Craig Harrington on the match.
SOTO: “We were getting a feel for each other and it was a little bit chippy, but I felt in the second half, we kind of took control of the rhythm of the game and obviously, did really well with our chances. Defensively, I thought that we were superb in the second half. Ivan Vasquez came in at centerback and we had Oscar Sorto playing right back and the two of them, plus the other two they did a great job."
HARRINGTON: "Obviously, losing to your neighbors isn’t the best thing, but we have to keep perspective because this is such a young group. I spoke to them [after the game] and said there are 15 guys that by next year…will be playing as older players with more expectations. Individually, I thought they responded very well at halftime and I thought the way that they started the game was the best that they’ve started all year. In the final third right now is where this group is struggling as a team. But collectively, the skill and talent out here is amazing."
