skip navigation

Los Dos Ride Four-Goal Performance

By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com, 07/16/16, 7:00PM EDT

Share

LA matches season-high scoring total, down T2 on the road


Photo courtesy of Portland Timbers 2

PORTLAND – The LA Galaxy II took advantage of multiple set piece opportunities early on and comfortably posted a 4-1 victory against the Portland Timbers 2 on Saturday at Merlo Field. The four-goal performance equals a season high for Los Dos. Lee Nishanian and Bryam Rebellon headed home goals in the sixth and 18th minutes, respectively, as Los Dos jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. Portland responded with a set piece chance of its own on Rennico Clarke’s 35th-minute score, and just four minutes later Raul Mendiola regained the two-goal lead for LA. USL goal-scoring leader Jack McBean added his 14th of the season to put the match well out of reach in the 75th minute. The match featured a bevy of cautions, and Clarke picked up a second yellow and subsequently was sent off in the 54th minute as Portland played the remainder of the match down a man. The Galaxy II improve to 8-2-8 (32 points) overall as they extended their unbeaten streak to eight games (4-0-4). Los Dos also moved to 2-1-4 on the road as they had gone 0-1-3 in their previous four road games. Portland fell to 5-10-3 (18 points) overall and 4-5-2 at home as its winless streak now reaches six games (0-4-2).

Scoring:
6’ – LA – Lee Nishanian (Josh Turnley)
18’ – LA – Bryam Rebellon (Jose Villarreal)
35’ – POR – Rennico Clarke (Neco Brett)
39’ – LA – Raul Mendiola (Adonis Amaya)
75’ – LA – Jack McBean (Bradford Jamieson IV)

Three Things That Mattered:

  • 1. LA was clinical in its set piece sequences in the first half. Josh Turnley’s corner kick from the right was driven toward the edge of the six where Lee Nishanian rose up well to head it into the left of the frame for a 1-0 lead. Then in the 18th minute, Jose Villarreal’s dangerous free kick from the right was redirected by Bryam Rebellon. Rebellon was positioned toward the near right post and tucked his header into the left of the net for a two-goal cushion as the Galaxy II capitalized well in their scoring chances early.

  • 2. Portland’s Rennico Clarke, fully recovered from his ACL injury from last season, went had a memorable moment Saturday, only to see things go downhill from there. Clarke’s 35th-minute header off of a Neco Brett corner kick was the high point as he put the Timbers 2 on the score sheet and gave the defender his first tally of the season as he celebrated with his bench afterward. That celebration was short-lived, however, as Clarke had a poor giveaway on a dead ball and LA’s Jack McBean intercepted. McBean dished to Adonis Amaya, who then found Raul Mendiola down the left side and he slotted home a gift of a goal to regain a two-goal lead and head into halftime up 3-1. Mendiola notched his first goal of the season as he was replaced by Alejandro Covarrubias to open the second half. In the 54th minute, Clarke picked up a second yellow card as he intentionally reached out to try and put a stop to McBean who was chasing the ball down toward the sideline.

  • 3. While LA held the lead for much of the match, much credit has to go to Los Dos goalkeeper Clement Diop who was at the top of his game to limit the damage. Portland easily could have been at least level with LA heading into halftime. In particular, Diop’s 15th-minute rush off of his line was crucial in turning away Bijev to limit his space to shoot. Diop also turned away Kharlton Belmar on several instances, including a seventh-minute save to his left. Diop’s awareness stretched into the second half, as well, making a run 25 yards away from the goal line to intercept a potential scoring chance for Belmar.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Clement Diop, LA Galaxy II - The Los Dos goalkeeper was strong throughout with some clutch saves and interceptions as Portland had an incredibly active first half but came away with just one goal during the first 45 minutes.

Upcoming Games:
Portland Timbers 2
at Seattle Sounders FC 2 – July 24, 8 p.m. ET, Starfire Stadium
LA Galaxy II at San Antonio FC – July 23, 8:30 p.m. ET, Toyota Field