CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy II moved into second place in the Group B standings as they took a thrilling 4-3 victory against Las Vegas Lights FC on Sunday afternoon at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Following the opening minutes of the contest, between 7:00 and 8:46 of the match, players from both sides came together at the center circle, united against racism, and in support of equality, diversity and compassion.

In the game, Los Dos struck first in the fifth minute. Awarded a central free kick, 25 yards from goal, Mauricio Cuevas stepped up and curled a shot into the top-right corner of the net. The goal was Cuevas’ third directly from a free kick this season, the most in the Championship in 2020.

Lights FC hit back in the 14th minute, however, as a good through-ball by Junior Sandoval released Bryan De La Fuente in behind the Galaxy II defense. De La Fuente’s powerful shot rang off the crossbar, but the rebound fell nicely for Yamikani Chester, who finished from close range to even the score.

De La Fuente had another chance nine minutes later, but Los Dos goalkeeper Abraham Romero came off his line well to narrow the angle and made the save. Sandoval also had a chance late in the first half but sent his shot well off target as the game went to the break all square, while Rashawn Dally had a good chance early in the second half palmed over the crossbar by Romero.

Eight minutes into the second half, though, Los Dos regained the lead. A floated cross by Omar Ontiveros from the right was controlled by halftime substitute Augustine Williams at the back post, and the forward tucked home a low finish. The Galaxy II’s lead was then doubled in the 62nd minute as Jonathan Perez sent Adrian Vera on an overlap down the right side, and Vera’s cross to the center of the penalty area was headed home by Ivan Gutierrez into the left corner of the net as he beat his defender to Vera’s delivery.

Las Vegas cut the deficit to one in the 73rd minute as a corner kick by De La Fuente from the left reached Johnny Fenwick at the back post for a volleyed finish into the right corner of the net, but a minute later Los Dos replied to restore its two-goal lead. Gutierrez broke down the left side and his cross to the back post was laid off cleverly by Williams with a cushioned touch that set up Jorge Hernandez for a first-time strike that clipped the right post and found the back of the net.

Gutierrez almost added a fifth for the hosts with 10 minutes to go as Williams again controlled possession inside the penalty area and recycled possession. The ball came to Gutierrez at the top of the penalty area, and his curling, chipped effort from 20 yards hit the top of the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.

Lights FC once again got within a goal with three minutes to go as a corner kick from the left by Junior Burgos connected with Blake Frischknecht at the back post as the Las Vegas native headed smartly into the bottom-right corner of the net. There would be no late heroics this time for the visitors, however, as the final chance in stoppage time for Raul Mendiola rang off the left post and was cleared to safety by the Galaxy II defense, leaving the hosts with all three points.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Ivan Gutierrez, LA Galaxy II – Gutierrez scored once, hit the crossbar with another audacious effort and was solid in midfield throughout, winning 10 of 11 duels and 3 of 4 aerial duels while completing 4 of 4 dribbles.