USL PRO Game Report
Sunday, April 27, 2014
IRVINE, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy II got goals by Rafael Garcia, Travis Bowen and Gyasi Zardes as they claimed a 3-0 victory against the Orange County Blues at Anteater Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The victory moved the Galaxy II back into a tie with Orlando City at the top of the USL PRO standings as they handed the Blues their heaviest defeat of the season.
The first half-hour was evenly played, but the tide turned in the 33rd minute when Rauwshan McKenzie conceded a free kick right at the top of the penalty area. Garcia stepped up and curled a spectacular free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of Blues’ keeper Mohammad Mohammadi to give the Galaxy II the lead.
From then on it was all Los Dos, who took the lion’s share of possession for the remainder of the first half, and then added to their lead in the 50th minute as Kyle Walker slid a pass through for Bowen, who had outwitted the offside trap. Bowen calmly stroked home his first goal of the season past the advancing Mohammadi.
Zardes completed the rout in the 65th minute. After the Galaxy II won possession in their own half, a quick pass upfield allowed Zardes to turn and run at the Blues defense, which kept backing off. The second-year man took the space and fired the ball into the bottom-right corner of Mohammadi’s net.
The Blues’ misery was compounded in the 76th minute as right back Mershad Momeni was shown his second yellow card, which reduced Orange County to 10 men. The Galaxy II looked to add to their lead late on, but settled for a comfortable victory, their third against their crosstown rival this season.
The Blues will next head to face Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday night at Hughes Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT. The Galaxy II will return to the StubHub Center on Monday, May 5 as they host the Charlotte Eagles at 7:30 p.m. PT.
Orange County returns home on May 8th to face last seasons runners up, the Charlotte Eagles. For best pricing on seat packages, call (714) 738-8011, email seats@bluessoccerclub.com, visit www.ocbluesfc.com, or hashtag #myocblues for more information.