San Diego Loyal falls 5-0 to LA Galaxy II
Credit: Vanilla Gorilla Photography/ EVT Sports
San Diego receives its third red card in as many matches; loses the opportunity to go second in the West.
LA Galaxy II defeated the San Diego Loyal, 5-0 on Saturday, July 9.
The match ended Los Dos’ six-game run without a win against San Diego.
The loss means that San Diego missed a chance to take second following a 1-0 victory for El Paso Locomotive over Colorado Switchbacks FC, who currently sit in second. San Diego remains in third with 34 points until they play the Switchbacks once again on June 18th with the chance to move above them in the table.
Ten minutes into the match, San Diego had found themselves in familiar territory. And just because it was familiar territory didn’t mean it was a good situation. For the third straight match, San Diego had received a red card. This was the earliest of the three, a 10th-minute red card for Kyle Adams following a debatable handball in the box.
“It’s hard,” head coach Landon Donovan said. “Certainly, the Kyle Vassell one was warranted. Last week I didn’t think was fair, and today was obviously the wrong call.”
The referee awarded a penalty in which Camron Dunbar of Los Dos converted to give Los Angeles a 1-0 lead. The first of many for Los Dos this afternoon.
“In training, we’re always talking about these fine margins, but It has to be the same with the officials, and tonight they were off it in their details,” said San Diego captain Charlie Adams.
After another 10 minutes of frustrating officiating, Donovan and assistant Nate Miller were booked following remarks toward the referee.
At the 20th minute mark, Los Dos scored their second. Solid build-up play led to a cross from the right flank coming into the box. The cross took one initial deflection but was then volleyed into the back of the net by Preston Judd.
[wpedon id=”49075″ align=”right”]
Another 10 minutes passed, and Los Dos got the same result – another goal. Judd’s solid hold-up play led to a counterattack. Judd then squeezed a low cross across the box, which Jalen Neal finished for Los Dos’ third in 30 minutes.
Goal number four came in the 58th minute. Michael Salazar was sent towards the box with a through ball and found himself 1-on-1 with Koke Vegas. Intelligently, Salazar cut it back to a wide-open Judd, who scored his second of the day.
In the 80th minute, the crowd at Torero stadium started to head home early as number 5 went in. San Diego had exposed themselves defensively in search of a consolation goal, so Los Dos took advantage. Another cross across the face of the goal resulted in an own goal by Nikko Boxall.
If there was any good to be salvaged from this match for the Loyal, it was a late red card for Los Dos center-back Jalen Neal.
It was a very frustrating loss for San Diego. The red card compiled with questionable officiating left San Diego with a mountain to climb in order to win this match.
“It didn’t go our way tonight, but fair play to the fans. They stuck with us all night, and we’re incredible,” Adams said.
Next, the San Diego Loyal return to Torero to face the Colorado Switchbacks on June 18th at 7:00 pm. A massive game for the Loyal, where they will again have the chance to move up to second in the Western standings with a win.
“Fortunately, we’ve given ourselves enough good performances, and we’ve picked up enough points that we’re still in a good position. Tonight hurts because we didn’t have a chance, but we don’t have a choice we just have to get on with it.”
Morgan Prickett is currently studying Journalism at San Diego State and is on pace to graduate in 2023. He was born in Libreville, Gabon and lived in Pretoria, South Africa for 7 years until he moved to the Bay Area. He’s a massive soccer and basketball fan; mainly supporting Arsenal of the English Premier League and any team Chris Paul is on. He’s also an avid supporter of all sports teams in San Diego and loves watching all San Diego State sports.