LA THROUGH TO QUARTERS

LA Galaxy managed to put one past Seattle Sounders and reaching the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open cup following a 4-2 win. The victory eased a lot of pressure off manager Bruce Arena.

LA Galaxy have been disappointing in the 2016 MLS season and it is only in recent weeks that they have started performing at their very best on a consistent basis. For almost 2 months from May to June, the club enjoyed just one victory in all competitions and even that victory was achieved in a short time in the US Open cup. This disappointing form was threatening to destroy their season.

However, qualifying for the semifinals of the competition is a huge boost. Galaxy will now aim to go one step further and reach the finals and possibly win the title. They take on FC Dallas in the semifinals of the US Open cup. The other semi-final will be between New England Revolution and Chicago Fire.

Failure to try hard has been a criticism levelled at this LA Galaxy team in recent months. Arena claimed that the victory showed that this was not the case since the team had to once again achieve a comeback victory. Seattle Sounders were leading in the game not once but twice before LA Galaxy secured a comfortable victory.

“You roll the dice sometimes. And the other part you have to think about is that you might be playing 120 minutes and you have to be careful. But obviously we injected those players in the game to get a goal. Dos Santos did a hell of a job and Gyasi, as well. We’re fortunate. Anyone thinks that we haven’t tried to [advance this far] – we haven’t been able to do it, but not because it wasn’t important. And it’s still important. So the next game, wherever that is, will be a tough game and we’ll be ready to go,” said Arena.