FRESNO, Calif. - The Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the Fresno Fuego of the Premier Development League (PDL), 4-0, in an exhibition match on Saturday night at Chukchanski Park in Fresno, Calif. Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones scored two goals to lead the team, while teammates Josh Gardner and John Thorrington added a goal each in the victory. Los Angeles goalkeeper Steve Cronin earned the shutout with a solid performance in the net.
In the 19th minute, Los Angeles' Jones opened the scoring by tracking down a long ball from midfielder Kevin Harmes that sprung him in behind the Fresno defense. After running down the 30-yard pass, Jones found himself in alone with Fuego goalkeeper Juan Carlos Garcia and slipped a low shot around him for an early 1-0 advantage.
The Galaxy's Gardner would double the lead in the 32nd minute taking advantage of a defensive mistake by Fresno's Sean Vogt. Pouncing on the poor clearance, Gardner collected it inside the box and fired a shot past the Fuego's Garcia and into the lower right corner of the goal.
Five minutes later, Gardner would add an assist by setting up defender John Thorrington with an easy strike. Jumping on a loose ball near the right post, Gardner lifted a soft pass over the goalkeeper's head for Thorrington to nod home for the 3-0 lead.
In the 52nd minute, Jones added his second goal of the night to put the match away. Demonstrating the speed and dribbling skills fans have come to know, Jones went past two defenders before blasting a shot from top of the 18-yard box past the Fresno goalkeeper and into the upper right corner for the final tally in a 4-0 victory.
Scoring Summary:
LA - Cobi Jones (Kevin Harmes) 19
LA - Josh Gardner (Unassisted) 32
LA - John Thorrington (Josh Gardner) 37
LA - Cobi Jones (Unassisted) 52
Los Angeles Galaxy - Steve Cronin, Ian Russell, Troy Roberts, Ritchie Kotschau, Cobi Jones (Quavas Kirk 62), Kevin Harmes (Gavin Glinton 46), John Thorrington, Josh Gardner, Kyle Martino (Landon Donovan 76), Santino Quaranta.
Fresno Fuego - Juan Carlos Garcia, Sean Vogt, Victor Rocha, Jose Luis Delgadillo, Ernie Vega, Fabricio Teleceria, Raul Gomez, Eddie Gutierrez (Victor Machado 65), Raul Rivera (Nini Blanco 83), Eduardo Contreras, Pablo Campos.
Misconduct Summary:
LA - Kevin Harmes 38 (Caution)
Attendance: 7,000 - Estimated
Weather: Cloudy, 60 degrees.
