USL PRO Game Report
Saturday, March 29, 2014
CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy II left it late, but earned a point in a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Sacramento Republic FC at StubHub Center’s Track and Field Stadium on Saturday evening. Former MLS forward Justin Braun tallied for the Northern California side in their inaugural USL PRO match, but Galaxy first-team loanee Chandler Hoffman equalized for the home side in the 81st minute to give Los Dos their fourth point of the 2014 USL PRO regular season campaign.
The Galaxy II dominated the early run of play as they peppered Sacramento goalkeeper Jake Gleeson’s net but the ‘keeper was up to the task, making five saves in the opening stanza. The finest stop came in the 16th minute when the on-loan Portland Timber pushed away a breakaway chance from Galaxy II forward Jack McBean.
In the 33rd minute, the visitors capitalized on a poor clearance by the LA back line as Braun nodded a shot past an out of position Brian Rowe for the first-ever goal in Republic FC history. The goal was also the first time that the Galaxy’s USL PRO affiliate had fallen behind in a match. The Galaxy nearly leveled just moments later but Gleeson saved captain Rafael Garcia’s chance from 18 yards out.
Down a goal in the second half, Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo threw on Hoffman for added offensive punch, but Los Dos struggled to break through the compact Sacramento side managed by former MLS head coach Preki. As the half wore on, the match grew choppier with four cards being issued all together.
In the 81st minute, Galaxy Homegrown Player Raul Mendiola shook past several Sacramento defenders in the midfield to set up a chance for Hoffman who coolly placed a shot past Gleeson in the bottom corner of the Republic net.
LA nearly went ahead in stoppage as Jack McBean earned a dangerous free kick near the corner flag, but Kenney Walker’s delivery couldn’t find a teammate and the match finished 1-1.
The LA Galaxy II return to action next weekend when they host yet another first-year club in Oklahoma City Energy FC on Monday, April 7 at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium. Republic FC returns to action earlier on April 7 as it visits the Chivas USA Reserves for an 11 a.m. PT kickoff at the same venue.