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Chris Rael
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USL Championship Games Intensify With Great Action
San Diego Loyal SC is in form with four points recorded in its last two matches. Last weekend, San Diego’s USL side was led by Alejandro Guido who tallied a goal and assist in the victory over Pacific Division rival LA Galaxy II. SD Loyal SC now prepares for its third home match of the season as full capacity seating will be permitted at Torero Stadium this weekend.
USL NEWS: San Diego Loyal SC is gearing up for its third home game this season as the United Soccer League (USL) club prepares to host Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, June 19th.
San Diego’s victory over Los Angeles Galaxy II last weekend was the club’s second of the season. Days prior, Loyal SC played to a 1-1 draw versus Orange County SC.
On June 12th, San Diego Loyal SC came from behind to defeat LA Galaxy II, 2-1, at Torero Stadium. The victory was highlighted by a thunderous supporters section that gave the home club a final push to defeat Los Dos.
The hosts were led by Alejandro Guido who was named Man of the Match for his effort. The San Diego native also received USL Player of the Week honors.
In the 61st minute, Jorge Hernandez scored the match opener for Los Dos. Hernandez dribbled into the penalty area from the right flank, around his defender and finished a low, left-footed shot to the bottom near post.
San Diego quickly responded with a couple of hard knocks on the front door of LA Galaxy II. The first attempt came off a cross from the right flank a few minutes after the opener. Following the collection, a strike from within the six-yard box was blocked by the Los Dos goalkeeper. Minutes later, Guido struck the frame with a right-footed volley from just inside the 18-yard box.
Misfires did not slow down the San Diego attack, and a moment of heroics for Guido brought the match level with 15 minutes left of regulation. Guido received the ball 40 yards out near the left sideline, nutmegged his first defender and dribbled into open space outside the 18-yard box. The 27-year-old beat the Los Dos goalkeeper with a low, right-footed strike to the bottom, left corner.
The San Diego supporter section erupted and made its presence known to the traveling side. Guido’s impressive performance was not yet over, with the game-winning assist as his next contribution. In the 84th minute, Guido received a long ball at midfield and touched it around a collapsing defender. With time and space, he took two touched down the sideline and served a cross into the diving stride of Miguel Berry who finished from near the penalty mark. San Diego Loyal SC was in control with six minutes left to play of the match.
The home fans were certainly an inspiration for the SD Loyal SC side that tallied four points last week. Last Saturday, SD Loyal SC head coach Landon Donovan and Guido applauded and praised the 2,033 supporters in attendance at Torero Stadium.
“We prefer to not concede goals at home,” said Donovan. “But still, the crowd is absolutely lifting us. It’s amazing how much impact the crowd had. You forget because we didn’t have it for a year. When you feel the energy in the stadium; the guys really respond to that. We are really grateful for our fans.”
Alejandro Guido
“The fans provide something different; they push you,” said Guido. “When you are tired in the 70th minute and don’t have any legs, you have to get that second breath of air. The fans provide that. The fans showed that again and helped us a lot tonight.”
Following the victory, San Diego sits in fourth out of eighth place in the Pacific Division. San Diego Loyal SC now prepares to host Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, June 19, at 7:30 p.m. PT. The match will be hosted at full capacity. Phoenix sits atop the table in the Western Conference Pacific Division with five wins, one loss and one draw.
Stay tuned for coverage of this weekend’s match.
The post SD LOYAL SC TUNED UP FOR MATCHUP VS. DIVISION LEADERS appeared first on SoccerToday.
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