The Los Angeles Galaxy claimed their seventh victory of the preseason, defeating the Rochester Rhinos 3-2 on Thursday night at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The Galaxy rallied back from a 2-0 deficit in the second half with goals from Kyle Martino, Chris Albright and Nate Jaqua to improve their record to 7-1-2 and stretch their unbeaten streak to seven games.
The Rhinos opened the scoring early with two goal salvo just a minute apart. Rochester got on the board first in the 14th minute as forward Mike Ambersley narrowly beat Galaxy goalkeeper Steve Cronin with a right -footed shot that found its way just under the bar. A minute later, Rochester forward Matt Delicate, headed in a volley that gave the Rhinos a 2-0 advantaged that they carried into halftime.
The Galaxy began to erase the deficit just four minutes into the second half, as a perfectly placed pass from Nate Jaqua left Kyle Martino with a tap in from inside the box, cutting the Rhino lead in half at 2-1. The goal was Martino's second in as many games after scoring in a 1-1 draw against Columbus last weekend.
Chris Albright equalized the game in the 67th minute, when he took advantage of a mistake by Rochester goalkeeper Hector Zapata. Zapata chased a ball out of his box, and his poor attempt to clear get the ball away from danger went directly to the perfectly positioned Albright, who was able to lob Zapata and even the score at 2-2.
Eight minutes later, Jaqua put L.A. in front with his first goal of the preseason and his first goal in a Galaxy uniform. A 75th minute Santino Quaranta corner kick was delivered to the back post where Jaqua got free of his marker and was able to get his foot on the cross, beating Vallow from close range breaking the tie in the Galaxy's favor.
The Galaxy will be back in action at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium on Saturday evening when the club takes on the host team, the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division.
Scoring Summary:
LA: Kyle Martino (Nate Jaqua) 49', Chris Albright 67', Nate Jaqua (Santino Quaranta) 75'
Rochester: Mike Ambersley 14', Matt Delicate 15'
Los Angeles Galaxy - Steve Cronin, Ian Russell (Josh Tudela 62'), Ty Harden, Ante Jazic, Mike Randolph, Peter Vagenas, Robbie Findley, Kyle Martino (Chris Albright 59'), Cobi Jones, Nate Jaqua, Santino Quaranta.
Rochester Rhinos - Scott Vallow (Hector Zapata 45'), Chris Aloisi, Kenny Bertz, Jason Parry, Scott Palguta, Danny Kramer, Steven Shirlay, Mike Ambersley, Allan Linas (Daniel Bustos 67'), Matt Delicate, Johnny Menyongar (Chad Severs 75')
Misconduct Summary:
None
