Los Angeles FC II claimed a 3-2 victory over San Jose Earthquakes II in MLS Next Pro Group Stage action on Sunday night. The result leaves the visitors three places above their hosts in the table, though both sides remain without a draw all season.
K. Spivey opened the scoring in the 18th minute before Z. Bohane responded for the hosts just six minutes later. The first half ended level, and by then it was clear this would be a game decided by moments rather than sustained pressure.
T. Allen restored LAFC's lead in the 69th minute after a period of back-and-forth play. San Jose tightened things up and L. Torres found an equaliser in the 79th minute, but and here's the thing, the visitors had already brought on four players by the 74th minute, suggesting they were preparing for this exact scenario.
A. Sanders put the game to bed in the 86th minute, heading home what looked like the decisive goal. San Jose pushed for another equaliser but couldn't find a way back into it, and the visitors saw it out despite the late pressure.
There is no value left at that number when you're making four substitutions in one window. The hosts threw bodies forward but LAFC's defense held firm, and the visitors were able to control the tempo when it mattered most.
LAFC II sit third with 41 points from 24 games, while San Jose remain fifth on 33 points after 23 matches. The gap between them is eight points, and that is a significant margin when there are no draws in either team's record.
Both sides came into this fixture with mixed recent form. LAFC lost 1-4 to Whitecaps II in their last outing, while San Jose dropped points in their previous three matches, drawing twice and losing once before this game.
