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Los Dos Rekindle Attack, Upend Monarchs

By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com, 09/25/16, 12:30AM EDT

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Postseason-bound Galaxy II net three goals in regular-season finale


Photo courtesy of LA Galaxy II

CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy tallied a pair of second-half goals, with Raul Mendiola’s 66th-minute goal serving as the winner, as Los Dos defeated Real Monarchs SLC 3-1 on Saturday at StubHub Track & Field Stadium. Ariel Lassiter and Adonis Amaya also added a goal apiece, as Amaya also notched an assist on the night. The Monarchs’ lone goal came from defender Boyd Okwuonu in the first half. LA finishes off the regular season with a mark of 12-7-11 (47 points) overall and 8-2-5 at home as the club now prepares for the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs. The Monarchs dropped to 10-14-6 (45 points) overall and 5-8-2 on the road.

Scoring:
18’ – LA – Ariel Lassiter (Adonis Amaya)
29’ – SLC – Boyd Okwuonu (Ricardo Velazco)
66’ – LA – Raul Mendiola
71’ – LA – Adonis Amaya

Three Things That Mattered:

  • 1. The LA offense awoke for its best performance in about a month and a half with three goals. Ariel Lassiter started things off on a strong note with the opening goal in the 18rth minute. The Galaxy II worked the ball well from the left side with Raul Mendiola’s cross redirected by Adonis Amaya around the edge of the six, and Lassiter then with the left-footed volley for a 1-0 lead. Mendiola would find a goal of his own in the 66th minute, with the initial shot deflected off of the Monarchs’ defense and then finishing from a difficult angle on the left for a 2-1 advantage. LA capped off the scoring on a free kick opportunity from the right side as Amaya's free kick found its way through to find the net.

  • 2. Defender Boyd Okwuonu, making his 15th appearance with the Monarchs, notched his first goal of the season in the 29th minute. Ricardo Velazco crossed from the left side of the box, over LA’s defense to Okwuonu around the right post. Okwuonu headed the ball down, underneath the arms of LA goalkeeper Clement Diop and into the net to tie the score at 1-1. Velazco upped his team-leading assists total to six as he wrapped up an impressive season with eight goals that helped him earn a contract with Real Salt Lake.

  • 3. The second-year Monarchs missed out on the postseason once again, but they certainly improved from their 2015 campaign. Last year, Real posted only one road victory in 14 games away from Rio Tinto. This year, the Monarchs posted five road victories. Last year, the Monarchs’ defense conceded 42 goals in 28 games. Despite allowing three on Saturday, the Monarchs’ defense still allowed fewer goals than last year, conceding 41 goals in 30 games.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Adonis Amaya, LA Galaxy II
 - The young Los Dos forward had a goal and assist as the side's attack sprang back into life, and surpassed 50 goals in the regular season for a second time in three years.

Upcoming Games:
LA Galaxy II:
Western Conference Quarterfinals, at No. 4 Swope Park Rangers - Friday, Sept. 30, 8:30 p.m. ET – Children's Mercy Victory Field
Real Monarchs SLC – End of Season