LOS ANGELES (Wednesday, May 19, 2021) – LA Galaxy II extended their undefeated streak to four games with a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City II on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park behind a second-half goal from Jorge Hernandez.
After a back and forth start, Los Dos earned their best chance of the first half in the 37th minute as an angled cross from midfielder Daniel Aguirre was headed on target by Preston Judd, but tipped over the crossbar by SKC II’s Kendall McIntosh. Judd also threatened again four minutes later as he battled past a defender on the right to get into the penalty area but had his low shot saved, while Cameron Dunbar flashed a shot just wide of the left post before the break.
While Los Dos carried more of the play, SKC II took the lead on the hour-mark as Ropapa Mensah was sent into the left side of the penalty area by Mushagalusa. After Mensah’s initial shot was saved, he controlled the rebound and delivered a pass back to Dominik Resetar as he cut through the center of the penalty area to finish.
Galaxy II had a chance to equalize with 21 minutes to go as Aguirre was the recipient of a clever passing move between Augustine Williams and Jorge Hernandez that lifted the ball into his path as he broke into the penalty area, but Aguirre’s shot went wide of the right post.
Hernandez struck for his third goal of the season in the 73rd minute, however, as Josh Drack helped a low cross by Axel Picazo from the right on to the top of the penalty area for Hernandez to fire a shot that took a deflection on its way to the back of the net.
Sporting almost regained the lead six minutes later as Jahon Rad’s long-range shot was punched away by Vom Steeg, but the game ultimately ended all square and the points were shared.
In their next match, LA Galaxy II remain at Dignity Health Sports Park for a match against Oakland Roots on Sunday, May 23 at 5 p.m. PT.
USLChampionship.com Man of the Match
Jorge Hernandez, LA Galaxy II – Hernandez scored the equalizer for the hosts and had two shots overall, one key pass and completed 39 of 45 passes overall to help his side earn a point.
Scoring Summary:
SKC – Dominik Resetar (Assisted by Kwamina Ropapa Mensah) 60’
LA – Jorge Hernandez (Assisted by Josh Drack) 73’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy II: Justin Vom Steeg; Owen Lambe, Marcus Ferkranus, Jesus Vazquez, Josh Drack; Cameron Dunbar (Axel Picazo 62’), Jorge Hernandez, Adrian Gonzalez (Taylor Davila 78’), Daniel Aguirre, Kai Koreiuk (Isaac Bawa 66’); Preston Judd (Augustine Williams 46’).
Substitutions not used: Eric Lopez, Sebastian Hernandez, Victor Valdez.
Head Coach: Junior Gonzalez
Referee: Brad Jensen
STATS: TOTAL SHOTS: 10; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 10; OFFSIDE: 3; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 2.
NOTES:
- LA Galaxy II earned a 1-1 draw against Sporting Kansas City II on Wednesday night.
- This year, Los Dos are now 2-1-2 with eight points, with nine goals scored and three conceded for a +6 goal differential.
- Los Dos are now unbeaten in their previous four matches, going 2-0-2 in that span with nine goals scored and just two conceded.
- LA Galaxy II are now 1-1-2 at home this season.
- LA Galaxy II featured five first-team players in the starting XI on Wednesday evening: Justin Vom Steeg, Marcus Ferkranus, Cameron Dunbar, Augustine Williams and Kai Koreniuk.
- Midfielder Jorge Hernandez scored his team-leading third goal of the season.
- In their next match, LA Galaxy II remain at Dignity Health Sports Park for a match against Oakland Roots on Sunday, May 23 at 5 p.m. PT.
- Head Coach Junior Gonzalez now holds a 17-13-7 record throughout his head coaching tenure with LA Galaxy II and has led the team to two-consecutive playoff appearances.
- In 2020, Los Dos finished the regular season 8-6-2 with 26 points (4-3-1 at home and 4-3-1 on the road), earning them second place in Group B standings and clinching a berth in the USL Championship Playoffs for the second-straight season.
- United Soccer League will feature 31 teams set to play 496 regular season contests over 28 weeks ahead of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs that begin in November.
- LA Galaxy II compete in the USL Championship Western Conference Pacific Division for the 2021 campaign alongside the following clubs: Las Vegas Lights FC, Oakland Roots SC, Orange County SC, Phoenix Rising FC, Sacramento Republic FC, San Diego Loyal SC and Tacoma Defiance.
- For more information, visit www.lagalaxy.com.
