Vela and LAFC advance in the U.S Open Cup
Los Angeles Football Club comes back to defeat San Jose Earthquake 3-1 in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 at the Banc of California Stadium. The victory puts LAFC into the next round to face Portland Timbers.
It was earlier this year where LAFC thrashed San Jose 5-0 in the MLS regular season. While it was a great win for the Black and Gold, it was a brutal defeat for Matias Almeyda’s team. His team was struggling at the beginning of the season as they only had 2 goals in favor and 14 goals against in just four games.
Although LAFC were the favorites, San Jose hit the scoreboard first in the 6th minute of the game. Cristian Espinoza was able to counterattack with a long ball that beat LA’s
The Earthquakes surprised the home team again after a cross to Chris Wondoloski, where he connected with a header and into the net. Unfortunately, the goal was called offside by the referee, giving LAFC hope to equalize.
It wasn’t until the 35th minute where Lee Nguyen saw an opening and put a through ball for Diego Rossi. Rossi, slipped past rival defense inside the penalty area and chipped the ball over the goalie, equalizing just before the end of the first half.
In the second half, Los Angeles were the ones leading the possession of the 2nd half, pressuring San Jose against their side of the field. While Almeyda and his squad were doing what they could to put the brakes on the LA team, they could only hold off until the 60th minute. Diego Rossi was able to secure a quick pass to Adama Diomande, he passed his defensive mark and dribbled around the goalkeeper, to give LAFC the lead.
The game became more intense as San Jose reacted two minutes later and Espinoza took a left shot on goal, but Sisniega blocked it with his left hand, denying the equalizer. Sisiniega’s skills showed up again in the 70th minute after another close call by Valeri, looking for his second goal of the game.
After the failed attempts by the Earthquakes, it was then in the 85th minute where Carlos Vela crushed his rival’s hopes of advancing to the next round. Vela did a ‘Messi’ like dribble from the right side and to the center of the penalty area, taking on three defenders, and using his strong left foot to gain an important win.
LAFC advance to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup and will face the Portland Timbers in quarterfinals on July 10th at the Banc Of California Stadium.
