Playing in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup can be tough for any MLS team.
There is the obvious David vs. Goliath factor that exists anytime an MLS side faces a lower division side. Even more challenging for the MLS side is when they have to go on the road to face said lower division club, with the unfamiliarity of the pitch, combined with an atmosphere inside the stadium filled with anticipation and intrigue, make it a tricky proposition for MLS sides in the US Open Cup.
That was what the Los Angeles Galaxy faced in its round of 32 match against Cal United Strikers FC at Irvine’s Championship Soccer Park. The Galaxy however were up for the task. Led by Dejan Joveljic, who scored two goals, both from the penalty spot, the Galaxy advanced to the round of 16 the Open Cup, as the Galaxy left Orange County with a 3-2 win over Cal United.
Cal United surprised the Galaxy in the 19th minute. Tony Lopez maneuvered through several Galaxy defenders, then sent a perfectly weighted ball into the penalty area, and Kadono perfectly timed his run to get behind the Galaxy defense, then slotted the shot past keeper Jonathan Klinsmann into the back net to give Strikers FC the lead.
However, it was all Galaxy from that point on. The Galaxy got a chance for an equalizer right before halftime, as Joveljic held the ball inside the penalty area, Kadono came in to contest Joveljic, Kadono made contact with Joveljic, which resulted in Joveljic going to ground, and referee Samantha Martinez determined that Kadono made enough contact to disrupt Joveljic, and called the found inside the box, sending the Galaxy to the penalty spot. Joveljic converted the penalty in the 45th minute to level the match.
The Galaxy then took control of the match inside the final 10 minutes of the second half. Owen Lambe pulled the Galaxy ahead in the 80th minute, as Efrain Alvarez sent a left-footed cross into the penalty area and Lambe swooped in from the left side and sent the shot past keeper Jean Antoine into the back net. Then, just two minutes later, the Galaxy were gifted another penalty when Kevin Cabral was brought down from behind inside the penalty area by Kevin Garcia-Lopez, Joveljic again stepped up to the penalty spot and came through again, this time in the 83rd minute, as Joveljic beat Antoine to the far right side of goal, even as Antoine guessed correctly. That goal turned out be very important for the Galaxy, as Cal United pulled a goal back in the 87th minute, as Felipe Liborio sent a long ball into the penalty area, and Garcia-Lopez beat Lambe to the ball, then beat Klinsmann into the back net to make amends for his foul, but more importantly, cut the Galaxy lead to a goal. The Galaxy however ensured Strikers FC got no closer the rest of the match.
LA Galaxy
