Niki Jackson (left) and Corey Hertzog (center) each scored twice for San Diego Loyal SC during Sunday's preseason scrimmages with 1904 FC. | Photo courtesy San Diego Loyal SC
CHULA VISTA, Calif. – San Diego Loyal SC swept a pair of preseason scrimmages on Sunday afternoon against crosstown opponent 1904 FC as Coach Landon Donovan’s team took a 6-0 win in the first of two 75-minute scrimmages and a 3-1 victory in the second at the Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center.
Both contests saw the sides play a 45-minute first half and 30-minute second half as SD Loyal’s preparations for its USL Championship regular season opener against Phoenix Rising FC on April 30 continued.
“It’s great to have two teams here that people care about, because for so long it has been zero teams.” Donovan said. “I thought it was great to get everyone together. It’s obvious there is a lot of talent in this part of the country and I thought it was a really great day.”
After being held to one goal in their first two preseason outings, SD Loyal found its attacking form against 1904 FC. Donovan’s team opened up the scoring in the opening scrimmage in the ninth minute when Corey Hertzog converted a penalty kick, and Morgan Hackworth extended the lead to 2-0 with a header in the 27th minute. Niki Jackson added two more (53rd and 57th). Hertzog (61st) scored his second of the session before Sal Zizzo ended the scoring with a chip shot off the crossbar in the 66th minute.
You can expect to see a lot more @nick_jackson9 celebrations this season.pic.twitter.com/8UIoo04V2s
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) March 28, 2021
An absolute dime of a ball from @Migue10Ibarra to @jackblake94 to make it 3! pic.twitter.com/F2Ebe0f2Dv
— San Diego Loyal (@SanDiegoLoyal) March 28, 2021
The scoring continued in the second scrimmage. 1904 FC found the net first in the eighth minute on a header by Romario Lomeli, but SD Loyal answered with a Miguel Ibarra put back off a goalkeeper deflection. Charlie Adams then put San Diego ahead putting away a shot that came off a triangulation of passes. Adams finished off a tap pass from Tumi Moshobane, who took a pass by Jack Blake. The scoring play began with a pass from Ben Spencer.
Blake got a goal of his own in the 45th minute of the session when he sent a header into the back post to close out the scoring for the day.
“Playing a local team, the guys wanted to win,” Donovan said. “This game certainly meant more for both teams. Scoring nine goals is great. I’m not sure I’ve seen more scoring chances in my life. I think we keep progressing.”