Joveljic scores twice, leads Galaxy to victory
It didn’t take long for California United Strikers FC to let the Galaxy know that Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup game wouldn’t be a walk in the park.
The third-division club out of the National Independent Soccer Association took a 20thminute lead against the Galaxy in the Round of 32 game at Championship Stadium in Irvine.
However, eventually things started to swing in the Galaxy’s favor and thanks to Owen Lambe’s 80th minute goal and Dejan Joveljic’s second converted penalty kick three minutes later, the Galaxy held on 3-2 to advance to the Round of 16.
Cal United made things interesting late as Kevin Garcia Lopez scored in the 88th minute.
The round of 16 draw will take place today at 5:30 p.m. The games are to be played in approximately two weeks.
Lambe, who joined the first team on a short-term loan from Galaxy II, scored the game-winner after taking a pass from Rayan Raveloson.
Minutes later, Kevin Cabral was fouled giving the Galaxy a second penalty, which Joveljic stepped up and scored for what looked like a comfortable 3-1 lead.
Garcia Lopez’s goal gave the NISA club a bit of hope later, but that was as close as it would get.
Things could have been easy for the Galaxy, but nothing really is that way.
Early in the first half, the Galaxy found no resistance, especially down the right flank, but couldn’t get anything by Cal United goalkeeper Jean Gamain Antoine.
Cal United opened the scoring in the 20th minute as Omar Nuno beat the defense with a perfect through-ball that Shinya Kadono ran onto and slotted past Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann. Kadono was a third-round MLS SuperDraft selection in 2019 by the D.C. United.
Later, Cal United nearly had a 2-0 lead, but failed to convert on a header that was close to goal.
The Galaxy finally got on the scoreboard in the 45th minute as Joveljic drew a penalty, which he converted to send the game into halftime tied 1-1.
In the second half, the Galaxy seemed to camp out in the attacking half but was unable to find the final pass to unlock the Cal United defense.
Galaxy coach Greg Vanney hinted Tuesday at heavy roster rotation and that’s what he did, making eight changes from last Sunday’s MLS win over Austin FC. The trio of Douglas Costa, Raheem Edwards and Chicharito Hernandez were not available. Meanwhile, Cal United started three teenagers.