Charlie Adams, Kyle Vassell score in 2-2 draw of second-straight road match
CARSON, Calif. (May 28, 2022) – Charlie Adams and Kyle Vassell scored in the first half for San Diego Loyal SC but it was not enough in a 2-2 draw Saturday night against host LA Galaxy II at Dignity Health Sports Park. Adams scored his second goal of the season while Vassell sent in his league-leading eighth goal as the club added another point to its best start in franchise history.
SD Loyal (6W-3L-3D, 21 points) had beaten Los Dos in its last six meetings, including once this season and a sweep of four matches in 2021. The last time coach Landon Donovan’s squad lost to LA Galaxy II (4W-7L-3D, 15 points) was due to a forfeit on Sept. 23, 2021.
Saturday night was a fluid brand of soccer and a mostly stout defense that held LA Galaxy II scoreless. SD Loyal appeared to be headed for three points but Preston Judd (90+3) and Taylor Davila (90+8 via Penalty Kick) scored in stoppage time for the home side. SD Loyal could not hold on to a 2-0 lead and stop a late Los Dos surge.
SD Loyal took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when Charlie Adams sent in a low rolling shot from near the penalty box. Vassell assisted Adams’ goal as he created space in the middle of the penalty box, pulling defenders by dribbling to the end line before feeding the ball back to Adams.
Vassell continued to spark the SD Loyal attack and eventually found the net himself. He finished a quick counterattack with a shot past LA Galaxy goalkeeper Eric Lopez. The score came off a Tumi Moshobane assist, his team-leading fifth of the season. Vassell nearly had his ninth goal of the year in the 52nd minute, but his penalty kick was met by the crossbar.
Donovan’s team will now go across the country for its first-ever visit at New York Red Bulls II on Thursday, June 2 to end its three-match road trip. SD Loyal will then return to San Diego for its long-awaited home match against Hartford Athletic on Saturday, June 11 at Torero Stadium.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN
SD – Charlie Adams (Kyle Vassell), 16th minute: Adams sent in a low shot past Eric Lopez from the penalty spot off a pass by Kyle Vassell. LA 0, SD 1
SD – Kyle Vassell (Alejandro Guido), 30th minute: Kyle Vassell closes out a quick play with a shot off a cross by Tumi Moshobane that Alejandro Guido tapped to Vassell. LA 0, SD 2
LA – Preston Judd (Taylor Davila), 90+3: Judd heads in a cross by Taylor Davila. LA 1, SD 2
LA – Taylor Davila, 90+8: Davila converts a penalty kick to tie the match. LA 2, SD 2
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Kyle Vassell recorded his second assist and scored his eighth goal of the season, the most in the USL Championship.
- Tumi Moshobane recorded his fifth assist of the season, putting him one behind league leader Jeremy Kelly (6) of Memphis 901 FC.
- Charlie Adams scored his second goal of the season.
- SD Loyal scored its 15th first-half goal in 12 games, the most in the USL Championship this season.
