CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano provides the Three Things We Learned from the LA Galaxy’s 4-2 U.S. Open Cup victory over Seattle Sounders FC.
SUBSTITUTIONS CHANGE THE GAME
The LA Galaxy looked set to crash out of the U.S. Open Cup before Bruce Arena brought on Giovani dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes in the 74th minute to save the day.
The move paid immediate dividends as Dos Santos capitalized on a sloppy back pass by Zach Scott to equalize. After the Mexican forward leveled the match, it was Zardes’ turn to dazzle as he set up both of Sebastian Lletget’s goals to ultimately give the Galaxy the 4-2 win.
Keeping the duo on the bench for as long as he did proved to be a masterstroke for Arena, who guided the Galaxy through to the Open Cup semifinals while keeping his stars rested for Saturday’s clash in Portland.
ALAN GORDON BACK TO HIS OLD SELF
Alan Gordon has had a stop-start 2016 season, but we saw Gordon’s match of the season in the Galaxy’s Open Cup win over the Sounders.
Gordon scored in the 17th minute and was a handful up top throughout his 74-minute shift. The close-range goal was a classic poacher’s finish, but it was his ability to consistently win balls in the air and occupy Seattle defenders that proved to be his greatest contribution to the victory.
The 34-year-old may have had his injury problems this season but the veteran will continue to remain a part of Bruce Arena’s rotation if he is able to put together performances like Wednesday.
LA GALAXY INTO THE SEMIS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2006
The LA Galaxy booked their ticket to the U.S. Open Cup semifinals with their come-from-behind victory over the Seattle Sounders.
The win gives the Galaxy their first trip to the semifinals in the Bruce Arena era and their first semifinal appearance since the 2006 campaign. For a team that has struggled in Open Cup in recent years, this win should silences the naysayers who questioned the team’s commitment to the tournament.
The Galaxy will take on FC Dallas on August 9 in the semifinal after Dallas advanced past Houston on Wednesday. The two teams will learn who will host on Thursday at 8 am PT.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@gmail.com
