LA Galaxy II forced to settle for 1-1 draw against Tacoma Defiance

Jorge Hernandez put LA Galaxy II ahead late off a set piece, but LA Galaxy II couldn’t hold on for their second consecutive win on Sunday, as they conceded in stoppage time to draw Tacoma Defiance 1-1 at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Junior Gonzalez brought Axel Picazo back to the XI for Los Dos after the midweek win over Las Vegas Lights.

The teams were scoreless through the first 45 minutes, with Los Dos having more of the ball but neither team really able to set up chances, the game largely played in the middle third.

LA started to find some purchase in the game in the 2nd half, and Kai Koreniuk, who had a typically energetic performance, nearly got the score just after the hour mark, with a diving header off a good buildup, but it was saved cleanly by Tacoma goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland.

In the 76th minute, Hernandez drew a foul in the semi-circle above the 18-yard box, and then stepped up to take the subsequent free kick, which he buried, with Cleveland getting a hand on it but unable to keep it out, to give Los Dos the 1-0 lead, his second free kick goal in as many games.

Galaxy II pushed for a second goal but their inability to get an insurance tally cost them, as Defiance earned a penalty in the 94th minute off a handball on substitute Preston Judd on a corner kick, a cruel turn of events as it looked like stoppage time was ending.

Abdoulaye Cissoko stepped up to take the penalty for Tacoma and made no mistake, hitting a walk-off equalizer for the visitors.

Los Dos will be disappointed about dropping points, but credit to Tacoma for putting together a good game themselves, neither team conceding in the run of play on the day. LA are scheduled to be back in action on Friday when they face Real Monarchs, one of their few out-of-division opponents this season.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.