Galaxy defeats San Diego Loyal in USOC opener

The Los Angeles Galaxy’s past, present, and future all came together on Tuesday night.

The Galaxy opened up its US Open Cup run against San Diego Loyal SC at Dignity Health Sports Park. Yet the most intriguing storyline was the man coaching the visiting side, as Landon Donovan, the American soccer legend who leed the Galaxy to four MLS Cup titles and set all kinds of records in MLS, mostly in a Galaxy shirt, made his return to DHSP, this time as the head coach of San Diego Loyal, looking to defeat his old side, featuring the latest face of the franchise, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, and Efrain Alvarez, who may very well become the future of the Galaxy. In the end, it was the present Galaxy squad that won out and earned the right to advance int he US Open Cup. Kevin Cabral’s strike in the 29th minute was all the Galaxy needed to move on courtesy of the 1-0 result.

“I thought we did a nice job,” LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. “One of the things we’ve been talking about is being a little bit more patient in the attacking half of the field and not rushing attacks. Being able to get from side to side a little bit more. So, we wanted to use this as an opportunity also to get back to some things that I feel like haven’t been at our best the last couple games.”

The Galaxy got the breakthrough in the 29th minute. Eriq Zavaleta crossed into the penalty area to Sacha Kljestan, who then headed a ball forward that deflected off San Diego defender Grant Stoneman and fell to to Cabral inside the six-yard box. Cabral got the shot off, but it hit off the near post, but fortunately, the ball went back to the feet of Cabral and the second time, he left no doubt, as he chipped a ball into the back net.

While the talent disparity was apparent on paper, San Diego did not play like a USL Championship team. Loyal SC did get some chances in the match. San Diego got its first chance in the 10th minute, as Nick Moon played a ball to Alejandro Guido, who took a touch, then fired a rocket from about 28 yards out that required keeper Jonathan Klinsmann to dive to his right to make the save. San Diego’s other great chance came in the 53rd minute, as Moon dribbled forward and through the Galaxy defense into the penalty area, Moon left a ball for Jack Metcalf, who shot a bending ball towards goal, but Klinsmann was able to make the save.

The Galaxy will jump back into MLS play on Saturday when they host Nashville SC.