SAN JOSE, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano’s Three Points to the Galaxy’s 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. With the win, the Galaxy advance to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 2011.
YOUNG GUNS GET IT DONE
Bruce Arena’s faith in youngsters paid off in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 as a youth-laden roster downed the San Jose Earthquakes, 1-0 at Avaya Stadium on Wednesday.
Starting a lineup that contained 10 players who have played for USL affiliate LA Galaxy II in the past year, the Galaxy looked the better side early as they pressured San Jose. They were rewarded in the sixth minute when Kenney Walker delivered a peach of a long ball to Jose Villarreal who took a touch before perfectly placing his shot past San Jose goalkeeper Bryan Meredith.
In the second half, the Earthquakes began to control the tempo but Galaxy goalkeeper Brian Rowe made three saves in 45 minutes to keep San Jose off the board.
JOSE VILLARREAL SCORES AGAIN
Whether it’s off the bench or as a starter, LA Galaxy striker Jose Villarreal has solidified himself as one of the team’s most dynamic scoring threats.
Villarreal scored his first U.S. Open Cup goal in his career, and his second in three games to help the Galaxy pick up a 1-0 win over their archrival San Jose Earthquakes. The 21-year-old forward bagged his goal in the sixth minute when Kenney Walker delivered a pinpoint long-ball that allowed the striker to find his way behind the defense, and then beat San Jose’s Bryan Meredith.
Villarreal has now scored three goals in all competitions this season.
GALAXY FINALLY WIN AWAY FROM HOME
The LA Galaxy have won away from StubHub Center. I repeat, the LA Galaxy have won away from StubHub Center.
The Galaxy advanced to the U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals by picking up their first win away from Carson since August 20, 2014, ending a streak of 15 consecutive matches in all competitions without a victory. With the win, the Galaxy move to 21-2-1 all-time in U.S. Open Cup matches in the state of California.
LA will hope that their road success translates to Major League Soccer play and the next round of the U.S. Open Cup which will see the Galaxy travel to Real Salt Lake in the USOC Quarterfinals.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
