USL News Release
Friday, April 15, 2011
JUNCOS, Puerto Rico – Three second-half goals gave the Los Angeles Blues victory in their first game in USL PRO as Cesar Rivera, Gerardo Bravo and Walter Gaitan each found the back of the net for a 3-0 victory against Sevilla FC Puerto Rico on Friday night at the Estadio Josue ’Elevadito’ Gonzalez.
Los Angeles pressed for the opening goal throughout the first half, forcing Sevilla goalkeeper Maximiliano Torlacoff into five saves to keep the game scoreless at the break. The breakthrough for the Blues came five minutes after the break, however, as Rivera scored the first goal in franchise history.
Sevilla tried to find a way back into the game but weren’t able to properly test Los Angeles goalkeeper Oscar Dautt, who didn’t have to make a second-half save.
The Blues then put the game away in the final 10 minutes. Bravo, who had entered as a second-half substitute for Josh Tudela, doubled Los Angeles’ advantage in the 81st minute. Former Tigres standout Gaitan then added his first goal of the season in stoppage time.
The Blues, who are opening the season with a four-game road trip against their International Division rivals, will try to build on the success of their opening game on Sunday as they face Antigua Barracuda FC at 7 p.m.
Antigua will also be the next opponent for Sevilla, which will travel to Antigua on Thursday aiming to rebound from its first loss of the season.