CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy II are winless no more after topping Saint Louis FC 6-3 at the StubHub Center on Wednesday. Efrain Alvarez and Ethan Zubak shined brightest for Los Dos, as they both recorded a hat trick, which included an incredible left-footed curling effort from Alvarez that beat Saint Louis goalkeeper Jake Fenlason in the 47th minute. Early into the first half, Zubak and Alvarez scored four minutes apart, but Saint Louis would not go down without a fight on the night, and Albert Dikwa cut the lead in half with a goal of his own in the 39th minute. Alvarez again gave the home side a two-goal advantage early into the second half, but Saint Louis cut the lead to one once again via a goal from Kyle Greig in the 67th minute. Saint Louis was eyeing the equalizer after scoring that goal, but Zubak and Alvarez quickly swung momentum back into Los Dos’ favor, scoring a goal each five minutes apart moments after Greig's tally. Greig was able to score his second of the evening late into the match, but Los Dos was able to get another goal via Zubak to secure the victory. With the result, Los Dos improves to 1-5-3 in the 2018 USL campaign, while Saint Louis FC falls to 3-2-4 on the year.

Scoring:

14’ – LA – Ethan Zubak (Nate Shultz)
18’ – LA – Efrain Alvarez (John Requejo)
39’ – STL – Albert Dikwa (Kadeem Dacres)
47’ – LA – Efrain Alvarez
67’ – STL – Kyle Greig
70’ – LA – Ethan Zubak (Ariel Lassiter)
75’ – LA – Efrain Alvarez (Nate Shultz)
87’ – STL – Kyle Greig (Lewis Hilton)
90+4’ – LA – Ethan Zubak (Miguel Aguilar)

• #LAvSTL: Full Match and Opta Box Score

Three Things That Matter:

• 1. The 15-year-old kid is the real deal. Efrain Alvarez has turned some heads since debuting for Los Dos last season, and he showed off his skill set in a major way on Wednesday. Alvarez became the youngest player to record a hat trick, which included a sensational run into the box and subsequent finish to the far post minutes into the second half. If Alvarez continues excelling, a move to the next level will come sooner rather than later.
• 2. Los Dos is winless no more. After reaching the USL Cup Playoffs from 2014-16, the team missed out on the postseason tournament after finishing the 2017 regular season with an 8-5-19 record. Los Dos has not started off on the same path that saw it reach the playoffs in its first three seasons, but Wednesday’s result could spark the side as it aims to start a winning streak.
• 3. Saint Louis may have fallen on the night, but the team arguably turned in its best attacking effort of the 2018 USL regular season to date, as Wednesday’s match was the first time this season Saint Louis scored more than one goal in a game. Kyle Greig scored a brace to lead the side on Wednesday, but the team, overall, showed well throughout the match. Saint Louis held 53.6 percent of the ball during the 90 minutes of action and put five of its seven shots on frame. Fans will be looking for more of the same production as the team hopes to reach the USL Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Efrain Alvarez, LA Galaxy II – The young talent scored a hat trick to lead Los Dos to its first victory of the 2018 USL regular season.

Upcoming Games:

LA Galaxy II at Portland Timbers 2 – May 18, 2 p.m. ET, Providence Park

Saint Louis FC at Orange County SC – May 12, 10 p.m. ET, Champions Soccer Stadium at OC Great Park