CARSON, Calif.—Oscar Penate and Jonathan Estrada each tallied a goal and an assist as the LA Galaxy Under-16’s advanced to the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy Finals with a 3-0 win over Real Colorado on Thursday.
Penate, Estrada, and Jorge Hernandez scored for Mike Munoz’s group as they advanced to the finals against FC Dallas in stylish fashion against an overmatched Real Colorado squad.
The Galaxy U-16’s opened the scoring in the 11th minute when Jonathan Estrada found Penate alone at the far post. The Los Angeles native then smashed a right-footed shot into the back of the Colorado net from close range for his 14th goal of the season.
Penate helped the U-16’s double the scoring in the 36th minute when he played a classy back-heel pass into the path of Hernandez for the second goal of the afternoon. Los Angeles added a third just five minutes into the second half when Kevin Negrete launched a right-footed curler that bounced off the post and into the path of Estrada for the final goal of the match.
Up three goals, the Galaxy U-16’s wore down Real Colorado as the visitors failed to challenge the dominant squad. Munoz’s team nearly added a fourth midway through the second half when substitute Misael Becerra saw his chance from close range sail just wide of the net.
The Galaxy U-16’s will turn their attention to Saturday’s final against No. 1 seed FC Dallas at StubHub Center. FC Dallas advanced to the final on Thursday with a 1-0 win against the Chicago Fire U-16’s just before the Galaxy’s victory.
The championship game will take place at 5 p.m. PT at StubHub Center and will be televised on LAGalaxy.com.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
