By Wendy Pintor
5/22/23
An experienced LA Galaxy powered past a young group of reserve finally taking an away win against their neighbors LAFC 2-0 Tuesday night, in the Open Cup version of El Tráfico at BMO Stadium. Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig scored second half goals three minutes apart to put the Galaxy into the Quarterfinals. Redeeming themselves even up against 17-21 year old future LAFC stars, Galaxy will travel to face the winner of the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake match on June 6 or 7.
Young LAFC who looked to be the better of the two sides, forcing Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsman into action repeatedly, creating 11 shots with five on target. After a shaky start, Klinsman was credited with six saves en route to the clean sheet.
But it was the Galaxy who began to finally intimidate their rival., as they came in this match as the underdogs, as they are in last place in default play in season. Within the 30 minutes of the match, Chicharito almost got on the end of a quick counter attack. Chicharito was forced wide by LAFC’s 38-year-old reserve goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic for a harmless goal kick.
The loss of possession forced LAFC’s Erik Dueñas—one of two teenagers playing in LAFC’s back line on the night—to innocently bring down the Galaxy’s Gastón Brugman in the penalty area. Riqui Puig’s weak penalty kick attempt that followed was easily stopped by Jakupovic and cleared to safety keeping the score 0-0 going into halftime.
LAFC seemed to pick up where they had left of at the halftime whistle, forcing goalkeeper Klinsman to turn away two quick chances eight away, following the start of the second half. Then Boyd, a halftime super-sun, put the Galaxy in the lead in the 49th minute with a incredible shot from inside the penalty area off a creative pass from Mark Delgado. It was Boyd’s second goal since joining the Galaxy at the start of the season. His first MLS goal was also against LAFC in the Galaxy’s 3-2 loss on May 16. Delgado had both assists in the game.
“Yeah, it was nice,” said Galaxy head coach and sporting director Greg Vanney. “Again, that’s one of the objectives of this group is to get the first goal. It was nice to get it so early, as you said, I think that frees up the group a little bit as well. And Julián , when the ball popped out, he took a great first touch and he had a good look and a good angle, and he got a hold of it. Very happy for him. Obviously since arriving, he’s done a great job and so for him to get a goal I know felt good for him so, but it also felt good for the team to get on the right side of the game early on and play from a good position.”
Three minutes later, Riqui Puig doubled the the match, taking advantage with his speed, that started with the ball from inside the center circle. The Barcelona player sewed through the LAFC defense to poke the ball past a charging Jakupovic.
As LAFC decided to leave most of the club’s high-impact players off the gameday roster, and the bench without being tempted to add them in in case of being down, LAFC was not able to mount any credible comeback attempts in the final half hour of the match. As LA became dominant all ninety against LAFC’s reserves.
“Well, you know if we would have had two days between now and the next one, then I would have done something a little bit different as they did,” said Vanney, when asked about if playing more of his starters would impact this weekend’s league game. “You know, in talking to Brian before the game, he was like ‘I wish I had an extra day like you, I would have done something a little bit different’ but whenever you have the full three-day rest or whatever, four days between games, then most guys recover, their normal, it’s a normal routine they’ve recovered and they’re ready to go to the next one.“
With the win, the Galaxy earn their 37th all-time Open Cup win, which ties them with the Seattle Sounders for third-most in the Modern Era (1995-present). The Galaxy also improve to 11-0-0 all-time against Southern California teams in the US Open Cup, including beating rival LAFC for a second year in a row. This tournament means a lot to them.
“We think a trophy is a trophy whether LAFC didn’t give this tournament a chance we, worked hard for the win and I’m happy for my first derby win with the team. We’re happy to stay in the competition, mentally this is a big boost for us as well in regular play.” Said Riqui when asked about his thoughts of this tournament.