SD Loyal SC defeat LA Galaxy II 3-0
Credit: SD Loyal
The San Diego Loyal win the season series against rival Galaxy II
The Loyal earned the win Saturday night, but the way they accomplished it came a bit unusual. Three different defenders scored for the Loyal, with one of them coming from a penalty kick late in the game.
For the first time in almost every match played, San Diego did not finish the match controlling possession. I’m sure the team will be okay with that statistic, considering they were ahead most in the match. Manager Landon Donovan and the Loyal continue to dominate LA, who is Donovan’s former team (kind of).
The first goal of the game came from defender Josh Yaro. He was standing right near the net and put it past the keeper rather easily.
🗣 “Let there be goals!”
Thus sayeth King Yaro. 🙌#LAvSD | @JoshYaro pic.twitter.com/n0FgTjZ9ki
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 3, 2021
Yaro is playing like one of the best defenders in the entire USL Championship, and his goals come as an added bonus.
Elijah Martin connected with his first goal as a Loyal right before the half, and SD had a 2-0 lead going into the break.
We knew Elijah was fast, but we’d never seen him celebrate a goal… until now. 😳
Congrats on your first SD Loyal goal @Martin_elijah3! 👏#LAvSD pic.twitter.com/cOC8UpbSPo
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 3, 2021
There wasn’t much LA could do in the second half to try and come back besides play more aggressively. That is what they ended up doing, but it backfired for them as they took Tumi Moshobane down in the penalty box. Charlie Adams took the honors and nailed it for the 3-0 lead.
Tumi earned it, Charlie buried it, we are crushing it. 💪#LAvSD | (@Tumi_Scara10 / @The_Charlie10) pic.twitter.com/0QVHCxnUWU
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) October 3, 2021
Adams made that penalty kick look very easy, as he didn’t even stutter to get in the keeper’s head.
The Loyal stay in second place of the Pacific Division with 43 points. With Orange County losing earlier in the night, that gives them now a six-point lead of third place.
LA remains in fourth place with 32 points and is tied with Sacramento Republic FC. The Loyal will play just five more matches, and if everything goes well, are likely to make the playoffs.
The next match for SD is Saturday, October 9, at 7:30 p.m. The Loyal will return home to take on Sacramento in what will be another important match for the Loyal.
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.