THREE THINGS THAT MATTERED

1. Fresno FC’s postseason hopes took a major blow as the Foxes fell to their second consecutive road defeat as the LA Galaxy II took a 2-1 victory at the StubHub Track and Field Stadium on Thursday night. The Foxes seemed to struggle to get into gear for the opening half-hour, and it was only upon the introduction of Christian Chaney 11 minutes into the second half that the side showed the urgency a side fighting for a playoff place needed. When Chaney’s bicycle kick came back off the post in the 62nd minute, however, and Los Dos doubled their lead 10 minutes later, the road to the postseason became that much steeper for the Foxes.

2. The Galaxy II had been on a four-game winless streak that had pretty much put paid to their playoff hopes for this season after Saturday’s loss in San Antonio, but the hosts put up another big performance that showed how well the side can play when it is on its game. Geoffrey Acheampong was arguably the brightest player in what was a quiet first half overall, and Frank Lopez produced two excellent finishes to move to eight goals for the season as the Galaxy II claimed the regular-season series over its Northern California rivals.

3. Chaney’s performance was the biggest bright spot for the Foxes as he provided the energy boost the visitors needed after going behind. Chaney ended the contest with eight shots overall including a deserved goal in stoppage time, but despite his display Fresno’s margin for error in its pursuit of a playoff place was dramatically reduced and every game from here could easily be looked at as a playoff game for the Foxes. Victory against Saint Louis FC at home on August 18 is an absolute must to have a reasonable chance at a playoff place.

GAME REPORT

LA GALAXY II (2), FRESNO FC (1)

CARSON, Calif. – Frank Lopez scored both goals as the LA Galaxy II defeated Fresno FC 2-1 on Thursday night at the StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium. The Galaxy II had the first real look at goal in the 18th minute when Geoffrey Acheampong cut in from the left and curled a shot to the right corner from the top of the penalty area that was comfortably saved by Fresno goalkeeper Kyle Reynish. Juan Pablo Caffa put a long-range effort on target for the visitors from a free kick just before the half-hour mark that Los Dos goalkeeper Justin Vom Steeg gathered as it headed toward the top-left corner, but the Galaxy II took the lead five minutes into the second half as Lopez won a battle for a ball down the left by John Requejo, cut into the penalty area and fired low into the near corner. Fresno came within inches of equalizing just past the hour-mark when Christian Chaney’s scissor-kick hit the left post, but with 18 minutes to go Lopez added his second as he tucked home a finish off Bradford Jamieson IV’s through-ball into the left corner of the net. Chaney again threatened for the visitors with 10 minutes to go as his header from a corner kick was smothered by Vom Steeg at the right post, but while Chaney finally struck in the second minute of stoppage time to pull a goal back for the visitors off a header to the left corner a final chance for Caffa from a set piece went over the crossbar as the Galaxy II held on for victory.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match
Frank Lopez, LA Galaxy II – Lopez produced a pair of excellent finishes to give the Galaxy II a two-goal cushion in the second half to give the hosts all three points on the night.