CARSON, Calif. – Corey Hertzog recorded a goal and assist while Tumi Moshobane scored for the third time in the past four outings as San Diego Loyal SC took a 2-0 victory against the LA Galaxy II on Sunday evening at Dignity Health Sports Park as the visitors broke a two-game losing streak.

Los Dos looked to out to a quick start and Daniel Aguirre produced a good curling effort from 25 yards in just the third minute that needed a fine one-handed stop by SD Loyal goalkeeper Austin Guerrero to turn it wide of the left post. The visitors also had a pair of early chances, though, as Charlie Adams curled a free kick on target that Justin vom Steeg claimed before it found the right corner of the net before the goalkeeper made another good stop on Alejandro Guido from the right side of the penalty area.

San Diego hit the front in the ninth minute as Hertzog celebrated his birthday with his 70th regular-season goal in the Championship, with the veteran forward pulling off a beautiful, chipped finish from 45 yards out after Los Dos’ Carlos Harvey had misplayed a pass back into his own half from midfield. Hertzog was then involved again in the 23rd minute as he laid on a finish for Moshobane, chesting the ball down off Miguel Ibarra’s cross into the right side of the penalty area that allowed the South African to shoot into the left corner of the net.

The Galaxy II had a big opportunity to cut the lead in half five minutes before halftime as Preston Judd was played in down the right and quickly released Aguirre into the left side of the penalty area. Guerrero came off his line to challenge Aguirre, who passed back to Judd as he arrived centrally to shoot but San Diego defender Josh Yaro positioned himself perfectly to cover on the goal line and clear to safety.

The second half opened more patiently, but the Galaxy II went close again in the 66th minute as Isaac Bawa made a driving run down the right and centered low where Jonathan Perez slid in to turn the ball on target, only for Guerrero to be well positioned to save. The visitors then thought they’d added a third two minutes later as Jack Blake fired a first-time shot from 25 yards that deflected off Hertzog and in, only for the striker to be in an offside position before the ball struck him.

Jack Metcalf also had a chance saved for the visitors with 19 minutes to go, but San Diego looked to see the game out with a solid defensive display while looking to break on the counterattack as the game entered the final 15 minutes. Los Dos had a chance in the 86th minute as Remi Cabral shot from the right side of the penalty area only to be denied by Guerrero at the near post, while Judd put a strong header on target in the final minute that was also saved, but San Diego saw out the victory to remain in contention for the top two in the Pacific Division.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Corey Hertzog, San Diego Loyal SC – Hertzog celebrated his birthday with a goal and assist while finishing the night with two shots and two key passes while completing 15 of 21 passes overall for the visitors.

Scoring Summary
SD – Corey Hertzog 9’
SD – Tumi Moshobane (Corey Hertzog) 23’

Full Box Score