Galaxy win USL-MLS Challenge

Los Angeles Galaxy Media Relations
Cobi Jones (center) and the Galaxy won the tournament by defeating the Islanders.
Cobi Jones (center) and the Galaxy won the tournament by defeating the Islanders. (Joaquin Hernandez)
The Los Angeles Galaxy claimed the inaugural USL-MSL Challenge by defeating the host team, the Puerto Rico Islanders, 2-1 on Saturday night. A crowd of 8,589 spectators were on hand at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico to see the tournament's title game following wins by the Galaxy and Islanders on Thursday night. Chris Albright and Nate Jaqua each scored in the game's opening 20 minutes to give L.A. the win and give the Galaxy their first hardware of the 2007 season.

L.A. wasted no time in opening the scoring as Albright scored his second goal in as many games just two minutes in. Just as he did for the Galaxy's opening goal on Thursday night, Jaqua got free on the right flank and slotted a perfect ball across the face of goal. Albright had broken in at the back post and slid onto Jaqua's cross, redirecting home to give the Galaxy an early 1-0 lead.

With the support of the home fans behind them, Puerto Rico came fighting back three minutes later with a header from midfielder Alex Manciua in the 5th minute that even the score at 1-1. Islanders forward Victor Hannara chased the ball down the right flank and was able to get a cross into the box after eluding L.A. defender Ian Russell. The cross found Manciua whose free header beat Joe Cannon to tie the game at 1-1 in a pulsating opening five minutes.

Fifteen minutes later, Jaqua struck what proved to be the game-winner. Chris Albright saw an excellent chance at goal saved by Islanders keeper, **. However, he could only parry the ball into the path of Jaqua who put the ball in the back of the net. The goal, which was Jaqua's second game-winner is as many matches in Puerto Rico, gave the Galaxy a 2-1 win and the USL-MLS Challenge title.

Prior to the game, the Islanders and the assembled crowd honored Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones for his accomplishments in his 12 years with the Galaxy.

Scoring Summary:
LA: Chris Albright (Nate Jaqua) 2', Nate Jaqua 20'
Puerto Rico: Alex Manciua (Victor Hannara) 5'

Los Angeles Galaxy - Joe Cannon, Ty Harden, Kyle Veris, Ante Jazic, Chris Albright, Josh Tudela, Ian Russell (Mike Randolph 46'), Cobi Jones (Robbie Findley 80'), Kyle Martino, Nate Jaqua, Santino Quaranta (Nathan Sturgis 80')

Puerto Rico Islanders - Josh Saunders, David Jonson (Jay Maadham 59'), Mauricio Sagovia, Mario Velez, Alatis Rivera, Edwin Mimuda, Gustavo Avila, Alex Manciua, Victor Hammara, Hail Emblem (Alberto Zapata 46'), Gomu Vujanovi

Misconduct Summary:
LA: Ty Harden (caution) 65', Chris Albright (caution) 72'


Write a Comment! Post a Comment
More Headlines >
More Headlines >

in focus

2010 LA Galaxy Schedule
2010 LA Galaxy Schedule Watch