Recap: LA Galaxy upset in US Open Cup by Sacramento Republic, 2-1

Dylan Butler

They are the kings of California!

After a cupset win at home against the San Jose Earthquakes in the US Open Cup's Round of 16, Sacramento Republic knocked off the LA Galaxy, 2-1, in the quarterfinals at Dignity Health Sports Park Tuesday night.

The Quails will meet the winner of Wednesday’s quarterfinal clash between Sporting Kansas City and USL League One side Union Omaha. The host will be determined via a draw.

The 70th-minute goal that sunk the Galaxy was scored, almost appropriately, by former Quakes midfielder Luis Felipe, who took the space given to him and skipped a low show off the grass and past goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann inside the far post.

It was a dream start for Sacramento Republic, which raced out to a 1-0 lead courtesy of a 4th-minute goal by Rodrigo López. Keko Gontan quickly played Douglas Martinez into space and the Honduran forward cut the ball back to Lopez, who hammered his first-time effort past Klinsmann to cap the well-worked goal.

The Galaxy leveled in the 18th minute courtesy of an own goal by Conor Donovan, who was defending Derrick Williams’ near-post run on a corner kick whipped in by Efrain Alvarez when the ball glanced off his head and into the net.

Just before the hour mark, LA head coach Greg Vanney made a trio of changes, including bringing on striker Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez.

But it was Luis Felipe who provided the heroics for the visitors, booking the Quails' spot in the semifinals.

Goals

4’ — SAC — Rodrigo López | WATCH
18’ — LA — Conor Donovan (OG) | WATCH
70’ — SAC — Luis Felipe | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The magic carpet ride continues for Sacramento Republic, which put the Galaxy on their heels early, then survived an own-goal equalizer and a headed attempt by Lee Desmond off the post before Luis Felipe’s late winner. Meanwhile, it was a brutal exit for the Galaxy as they were punished for poor defending and goalkeeping in the match’s decisive moment.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Luis Felipe almost can’t believe the space given and when no LA Galaxy defender closed him down, he put his low left-footed shot on frame. Klinsmann should have done better, but the Quails will take it for sure.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Luis Felipe has played in his share of Cali Clasico matchups against the Galaxy. So surely scoring this winner to send Sacramento Republic into the USOC semifinals tastes incredibly sweet.