CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s kids are alright, and now they have the club in striking distance of the U.S. Open Cup title.
Curt Onalfo’s youthful-laden squad vanquished Sacramento Republic 2-0 on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the competition for the third consecutive season. LA Galaxy II alums Ariel Lassiter and Bradford Jamieson IV provided the goals for Los Angeles who won their second match of the year at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium.
Following the match, Onalfo was beaming when reflecting on the performance of his youngsters.
“It’s opportunity. It’s well-deserved opportunity for all these younger players that have come through our system,” Onalfo said. “Guys need opportunities to see if they can do it, and it’s encouraging what we’re seeing right now. We just have to, just continue with it.”
The Galaxy started the match on the wrong foot as Sacramento had repeated chances to get on the board, only to have goalkeeper Jon Kempin deny them at each opportunity. Once the second half began, however, it was all Galaxy.
Lassiter’s curling free kick in the 47th minute put Los Angeles ahead, and just two minutes later, an individual run by Jamieson gave the Galaxy the cushion they needed. For a Galaxy squad that started the match with the average age of 23, the win provided a needed confidence booster and offered a sign of good things on the horizon.
“It’s something that you wait for,” Jamieson said. “It’s something that you look forward to getting to play with your friends, the guys that you came up with because they’re your age. And those are the same guys that aren’t just coming into matches and making an impact, but they’re guys that are the impactor and are the source of the win.”
Los Angeles will now turn their attention to a quarterfinal trip to Northern California to face the San Jose Earthquakes on July 10 at Avaya Stadium. After two strong performances in the early rounds, the Galaxy’s young guns are confident that they can inch ever closer to the team’s first Open Cup title since 2005.
“It’s huge,” Lassiter said. “It’s a confidence booster and definitely time to have growth. It’s just another opportunity and if we keep showing well like this our time will come.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
