USL PRO: Los Angeles Galaxy II Prevail Over Rochester Rhinos (VIDEO)

Jul 23, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Manchester United midfielder Nani (17) and Los Angeles Galaxy forward Bradford Jamieson IV (38) battle for the ball during the second half at Rose Bowl. Manchester United defeated Los Angeles Galaxy 7-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

On a warm September evening at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., Curt Onalfo’s Los Angeles Galaxy II had to weather a nor’easter after going down a man to prevail, 2-1, over Bob Lilley’s Rochester Rhinos in the quarterfinals of the 2014 USL PRO Playoffs. The Galaxy face Sacramento Republic FC next week. Here are six things we learned from this match between the Los Angeles Galaxy II and the Rochester Rhinos.

1. Fast-paced start to first half

Early on in the first half, both teams were pressing the ball, but it was Rochester with the first big opportunity three minutes in. The first big chance for LA came from LosDos captain Rafael Garcia in the fourth minute, whose shot was saved by highly touted goalkeeper John McCarthy. Chandler Hoffman’s first look at goal came in the fifth minute but his cross was collected by McCarthy. Another chance for Hoffman was collected in the seventh minute. Some frantic clearances from Rochester took place in the 13th minute and the Rhinos were lucky to escape a penalty call against them. McCarthy came up with another rising collection in the 14th minute.

2. Banks, Hoffman trade goals

Rhinos captain Tyler Rosenlund was cautioned in the 16th minute for a foul. Rochester’s backline held firm midway through the first half, and this allowed the visitors to hog the possession. However, the Rhinos needed to show some patience with their shot selection. In the 22nd minute, their patience paid off as JC Banks, a veteran goalscorer in USL PRO, gave the Rhinos a 1-0 lead on a breakway that caught the entire Galaxy II backline sleeping.

The Galaxy II seemed to be running out of ideas regarding their pass and shot selection and were paying the price for not capitalizing earlier in the match. Bradford Jamieson IV won a corner in the 25th minute of play that was collected by McCarthy. An initial save in the 28th minute by McCarthy was wasted due to a handball in the box by a Rhinos player. The ensuing penalty attempt in the 29th minute by Hoffman was initially saved by McCarthy but the rebound was converted to make it 1-1.

3. Yellow cards piling up for Galaxy II

With the tempo of the game raised, both sides looked to gain the advantage heading into the break. Despite the Galaxy II winning possession, the Rhinos backline stayed organized and exposed the through balls headed in their direction so that they regained control of the momentum. Jason Bli tried a long ball that could have chipped McCarthy but he did well to collect the volley in the 39th minute. Dragan Stojkov was cautioned in the 44th minute for dissent. Garcia and Rugg also earned yellow cards in the 45th minute for a rough challenge. A late surge in stoppage time from LosDos saw a closing volley sail wide left.

4. Both teams pressing in second half

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Early on in the second half, Rochester nearly had a chance go through in the 47th minute but it was cleared. A shot from Hoffman in the 49th minute missed wide right. The objective for the Galaxy II was to press and press often. Rochester were pressing as well, and with Orlando City already eliminated in the playoffs, both sides knew the next goal was critical. The Rhinos’ Pat McMahon was cautioned in the 53rd minute for a foul. The ensuing free kick from Garcia was cleared by McCarthy, who continued to have a solid night making saves. A chance in the 56th minute for Rochester was collected by Galaxy II goalkeeper Brian Perk. In the 60th minute, a Banks corner was collected by Perk.

5. Galaxy II take the lead, but at a cost

Rhinos midfielder Jonny Mendoza was hoping for a go-ahead and was involved in a number of sequences for the visitors, but the Galaxy II were holding firm and in the 62nd minute, Rugg’s breakaway paid off and the Galaxy were ahead 2-1.  LA’s Alejandro Covarrubias came in for Jaime Villareal, while Rochester’s Donny Smith came in for Alex Sundly in the 63rd minute. Things got dicey from that point on.

Garcia was sent off in the 65th minute for a second yellow card. However, the ensuing free kick from Banks just outside the box in the 67th minute was cleared. A chance for Banks in the 69th minute missed wide left. Rhinos defender Onua Thomas Obasi, another notable player from the game, was offsides on another big opportunity in the 70th minute. Galaxy II defender Joe Franco came in for Hoffman in the 71st minute to provide some cover. Rhinos midfielder Minh Vu came in for Mendoza in the 73rd minute to provide some fresh legs.

6. Los Angeles hold firm late in second half

Los Angeles were hoping to add another one despite being a goal down and with Franco in the lineup, the Galaxy were able to restore four in the back, with just one up top. In the 82nd minute, Rochester had a big opportunity to equalize but the Galaxy II’s organization in the box prevailed there.

At this point in the contest, the reinforcements came in bunches. LA forward Jack McBean came in for Charlie Rugg in the 83rd minute to perhaps ice the match offensively. Rochester’s super sub forward tandem of Colin Rolfe and Levi Houapeu came in for Alex Dixon and Kyle Hoffer in the 85th minute. Galaxy II defender Lee Nishanian came in Bradley Diallo in the 86th minute to bring in fresh legs. Houapeu had a chance in the 90th minute but it was collected by Brian Perk.

As Bradford Jamieson IV came out for Travis Bowen in the second minute of second half stoppage time, the match would come down to a few decisive possessions from Rochester. The ensuing set piece was saved, then botched. The rebound would be collected by Perk. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Jason Bli was cautioned for a challenge, and the ensuing set piece was headed over the crossbar for a corner. That was also cleared, and on the transition, Donnie Smith was also cautioned as per the DOGSO rule in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time. The ensuing set piece sailed wide right but it wouldn’t matter; the Galaxy II got the job done.