Not even Javier Chicharito Hernández, who played 30 minutes in the second half, could rescue the LA Galaxy, who were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the US Open Cup after losing 2-1 to Sacramento Republic on Tuesday night.
LA Galaxy played at home at Dignity Health Sports Park and failed to take advantage of their home venue. Sacramento won with goals from Rodrigo López, in the 4th minute, and Luis Felipe, in the 70th minute, while Conor Donovan, with an own goal, had given LA Galaxy the equalizer (18th).
Thus, the LA Galaxy were eliminated from the competition in the round of the best eight, while Sacramento awaits an opponent for the semifinals of the tournament.
Sacramento opened the scoring
The home side left some regular starters on the bench, including Chicharito, who saw Sacramento take an early lead. It was only the 4th minute when the visiting team reached the opponent's area with three touches, and Rodrigo López received the ball inside the area to shoot a right-footed shot that Jonathan Klinsmann could not miss.
The situation seemed to improve for the home team in the 18th minute, when Conor Donovan put the ball into his own goal to make it 1-1 after a corner kick, a result that gave hope to the home team.
Chicharito came on in the second half, but could do nothing
But in the second half, it was the Sacramento team that came with more insistence. Greg Vanney, LA Galaxy coach, sent Chicharito, Víctor Vázquez and Julián Araujo onto the field in the 60th minute, but not even with them could they come back.
It was Luis López, in the 70th minute and with a left-footed shot outside the box, who scored the winning goal and gave the USL Championship team a pass to the semifinals, which meant a failure for the MLS club, which will have to focus on that tournament.