CARSON, CALIF.–LA Galaxy hosted Jamaican side Mount Pleasant FA for the 1st leg of the round of 16 of the Concacaf Champions Cup. Mount Pleasant came to Carson missing 10 players from their squad,due to travel bans placed by President Trump back in 2025, forcing them to temporarily bring academy players to play against the Galaxy. While this may seem like a setback for the Jamaican side, this is the chance of a lifetime for the young players to show their coaches just what they are made of.
Galaxy opened the game very offensive with three shots(two on target) in under six minutes which led them to their first goal early in the first half in the sixth minute with Mauricio Acuevas finding Gabriel Pec in the penalty area followed by Pec’s powerful left footed shot sending it into the bottom left side of the net.
Galaxy, having most of the possession, attacked eagerly with Joao Klauss looking for his third goal in the white, blue and gold jersey after saving them from a loss in Colorado against the Rapids.
Justin Haak had a great chance in the box after a play coming off a free kick save but was blocked by Mount Pleasant’s defense which blocked many shot attempts by the Galaxy beforehand in the same play.
The first half concluded with Galaxy failing to register another goal despite having a total of 16 shots(six on goal) and the referee calling the half on the corner.
The second half started off with a similar performative atmosphere although Galaxy had many chances including a shot from midfielder Lucas Sanabria which was close but stopped by the woodwork.
Mount Pleasant Goalkeeper Tafari Chambers was having a field day registering eight saves in the game with three of them being in the box.
Everything was mellow up until the 86th minute when a handball from Galaxy striker Klauss canceled out the would-be headed goal by Galaxy defender Harbor Miller off a save from Chambers.
Mount Pleasant’s relief was short lived once the 89th came around when Galaxy Defender Miki Yamane calmly passed to Pec in the penalty box followed by Pec unleashing a left footed shot hitting the cross bar which guided it into the net.
Shortly after in the 96th, a beautiful team goal, finishing with Pec’s tap in, secured Galaxy’s 3-0 win over Mount Pleasant and Pec’s hattrick.
LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney explained how slow the start of the game was and how it was hard to get from end to end. “Everybody was not at the speed that they should have been but he(Gabriel Pec) was,” explained Vanney while highlighting Pec’s performance.
Despite the lackluster attendance(4,285), fans were still very positive about the turnout. Christian Gomez, a fan since he was five years old, considers the mellow crowd as a positive. “That is what I am really here for, not only to support the team but it is a chill vibe and I like it,” Gomez said. Gomez also proceeded to explain how it is tough to come out to mid week games due to rush hour and the people usually come out of work at this time so the attendance is very understandable.
Galaxy will face Mount Pleasant FA on March 19th in Jamaica.
Article by Henry Caceres
Photos by Ricardo Ulloa
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