LAFC2 captured its first ever playoff win and advanced to the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference Semifinals on Sunday night, defeating Houston Dynamo 2 in a penalty shootout after the teams played to a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes at Shell Energy Stadium.
The Black & Gold struck first in the 12th minute when Jude Terry scored on a first-time strike from outside the box to give LAFC2 an early 1-0 advantage. LAFC2 doubled its lead shortly after halftime when Marius Aiyenero finished from the center of the box in the 54th minute off an assist from Charlie Kosakoff.
Houston responded with two goals from Gilberto Rivera in a five-minute span. Rivera cut the deficit to one in the 69th minute on a shot from distance that fizzed through traffic and snuck inside the far post. Rivera equalized in the 74th by poking home a short-range rebound after LAFC2 goalkeeper Ethan Scally saved Rivera’s penalty attempt, sending the match to extra time.
Neither side found a breakthrough over the additional 30 minutes, setting up a win-or-go-home penalty shootout. DeCarlo Guerra, Ernesto Rodriguez, Liam Lambert, and Nathan Mardaresco converted for the Black & Gold, while Scally denied Rivera and Arthur Sousa to secure the 4-3 shootout victory.
LAFC2 finished with a 25-19 advantage in shots, and Scally made seven saves during open play before adding two more in the shootout.
The victory sends sixth-seeded LAFC2 into the Western Conference Semifinals, where the Black & Gold awaits the next Pick-Your-Opponent selection process to determine its opponent and match location.
