SD Loyal SC and LA Galaxy II finish in 2-2 draw in dramatic finish
Credit: SD Loyal
San Diego Loyal stunned once again, this time against Los Dos
The San Diego Loyal is now (6-3-3) with 21 points on the season. Los Angeles Galaxy II is now to (4-6-3) with 15 points on the season. This was a huge match for them to get back on track.
The Loyal are stunned once again. After taking a 2-0 lead into stoppage time, the Loyal blow another lead to fall short of three crucial points. The match was told it was getting four minutes of stoppage time. However, the head official did not blow his whistle, and the match continued. That allowed LA to score two goals to stun the Loyal.
There isn’t anything to blame but the lack of concentration. Whether the match should have been called or not, allowing two goals in the final minutes is gut-wrenching. The team has seen this before. On the bright side, they controlled 98% of the match, which is something to appreciate.
First Half
The Loyal started the scoring once again. Captain Charlie Adams drilled a liner to the right side of the net to take the early advantage.
Oh captain our captain. 🫡#LAvSD | @The_Charlie10 pic.twitter.com/cPnw6Tfbil
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) May 29, 2022
With Adam’s goal in the 16th minute, that became the fourth straight match where the Loyal take the early advantage.
The key for this squad was to have a game plan to keep attacking and not to settle for the one goal. That tactic worked tonight as the Loyal created many opportunities in the first half. The Loyal ended the half with seven shots, and the two on target were goals.
In the 30th minute, Kyle Vassell scored his USL Championship leading 8th goal of the season.
Loyal Ball ™️. pic.twitter.com/UiSM8VxDwe
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) May 29, 2022
Vassell is now tied with forward Óttar Magnús Karlsson (Oakland Roots), who also scored his 8th Saturday night in the 1-1 draw to Sacramento Republic FC.
The first half rounded out as the Loyal held their lead. LA tried to create chances for their own and almost scored themselves. Loyal keeper Koke Vegas denied one opportunity in the first half, but the Galaxy only attempted four shots altogether.
Second Half
The second half started just the way the Loyal hoped. After a great counterattack, Vassell forced LA to foul in the penalty area earning a penalty kick. I’m sure you already know who attempted the shot. You guessed it, Vassell lined up to try and score his 9th goal of the season. The striker pursued to drill a liner that deflected off of the top of the crossbar and out of the goal.
A huge missed opportunity for the Loyal to take a commanding 3-0 lead. Looking back at it, this goal would have sealed the victory for the Loyal.
Despite the missed penalty kick from Vassell, the Loyal continued to bring pressure to LA’s keeper Eric Lopez. Lopez saved some great shots that kept the Galaxy in the match. Through 55 minutes, San Diego attempted 13 shots, with four on target.
Just after the 75th minute, the match once again almost blew open as the Loyal shut down a Los Dos attack that resulted in a counter attempt. Vassell launched a deep clearance, and Thomas Amang tracked it down, but when he tried to curve it by Lopez, he missed the goal by a few feet to the left.
LA managed to score late in the match to take away Vegas’ clean sheet. In the 90+2 minute, forward Preston Judd put one in the back of the net as Los Dos hurried back to try and even the score.
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The match continued on, and Taylor Davila connected on a penalty kick to even the score. Collin Martin committed the foul in the penalty box that resulted in LA completing the comeback.
The next match for the Loyal is Thursday, June 2, against New York Red Bulls II. This will be the final match until three-straight home matches for the Loyal, beginning June 11 against the Hartford Athletic.
Chris is a graduate of the University of San Diego. He is the former Sports Editor for the USDVista newspaper. Chris is also an athlete and is huge fan of San Diego sports. Chris has covered the San Diego Loyal, and contributes regularly about the Padres.