LA Galaxy II OC Blues match recap

Los Dos rode an Ariel Lassiter brace as LA Galaxy II defeated the Orange County Blues before a large crowd at the StubHub Center Track and Field stadium to advance to the Western Conference finals of the 2015 USL playoffs.

#LosDos XI: Diop; Sorto, Steres©, Diallo, Franco; Olivera, Walker, Auras, Mendiola; McBean, Lassiter. #OCvLA pic.twitter.com/XanCA2u8c1

— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) October 4, 2015

The game was marred by a bit of controversy, as the match was moved from the Blues' home field of Anteater Stadium to the StubHub Center after a scheduling conflict. 

Los Dos dominated in the early going, and in the 14th minute, Ariel Lassiter ran onto a brilliant through ball and executed a skillful finish with the outside of his right boot to calmly score the opener.

LA Galaxy II created plenty of chances the rest of the first half, with the closest opportunity occurring when Jack McBean perfectly timed his run to get behind the defense only to pull his left-footed attempt from close range just wide.

Ariel Lassiter bagged his second goal in the 54th courtesy of another brilliant pass, with Raul Mendiola splitting the OC center backs with a short dink inside the box and the U-23 Costa Rican international easily slotted past a stranded Pepe Miranda to double LA's lead.

After a flurry of near misses, Joe Franco brought down an attacker in the box, only for French goalkeeper Clement Diop to dive low to his right to save the penalty kick attempt.

Tragedy struck late when substitute Nacho Maganto squared the ball to Ariel Lassiter inside the six-yard box, and with the entire goalmouth to shoot from, his low shot ricocheted off the OC goalkeeper and kissed the left goalpost to deny the striker a hat trick.

What a crowd! Tonight's announced attendance for #OCvLA was 2,047. Thanks for the support!

— LA Galaxy II (@LAGalaxyII) October 4, 2015