Sports stats

USL San Diego Loyal

Corey Hertzog Scores Fourth Goal of Season But SD Loyal Loses Again at Home

August 15, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
San Diego Loyal News Release


San Diego -Corey Hertzog knew it. The SD Loyal striker had no questions about the ball crossing the goal line Saturday night. He immediately sprinted away from goal, pumped his fists and was ready to celebrate with teammates near his bench.

It was a moment that showed promise for a San Diego Loyal team that was looking to snap a two match losing streak at home. It was also the highlight of the night for the home side as it played to a 2-1 loss to visiting Tacoma Defiance.

Hertzog sent the Torero Stadium at USD crowd into frenzy with his 22nd minute goal. He tapped in a bouncing ball from near the goal line after it careened in between Hertzog and a pair of defenders. Oliver Larraz had sent a cross from right to left, eventually finding Hertzog. That's when Hertzog got a piece of the ball and it hit the left post and bounced in. Tacoma goalkeeper Christian Herrera made a diving attempt to swat it out, but the ball had crossed the line for the 1-0 lead. The goal was Hertzog's fourth of the season, tying with Jack Blake and Tumi Moshobane for the team lead. He also now has 71 USL Championship career goals, remaining in third place all-time, one behind Jorge Herrera.

Hertzog nearly had two more goals but the two shots he buried into the Tacoma net were annulled. He was whistled offsides twice, including one that Hertzog thought he was clearly on.

"It's a frustrating one," Hertzog said about the match. "The second goal I scored in the second half I'm four yards onside, so, a 2-0 game is different than a 1-0 game. Little stuff like that changes everything. We can't blame it on that. It's frustrating but we can't let those two goals happen."

Hertzog was talking about how Tacoma Defiance answered with its pair of second half goals by Alex Villanueva (65th) and Carlos Anguiano (71st). Both Tacoma Defiance goals came after coach Wade Webber opted for substitutions. Villanueva had come on a few minutes before his goal. And it was Ray Serrano, also a second half sub, who fed him a low-rolling cross for the assist. The ball traveled through the six-yard box and met a charging Villanueva, who beat Oliver Larraz to the ball to send it in past SD Loyal goalkeeper Austin Guerrero. Larraz was making his first start for his new club. The Week 17 USL match was tied 1-1.

It didn't take long after that for Tacoma to find the game-winner.

Anguiano sent a volley over defenders and Guerrero as the goalkeeper tried to make his way back to his goal line. Anguiano had his shot deflect of a defender and floated into the net to seal a counterattack and the 2-1 win. It was the third time Tacoma Defiance has beaten SD Loyal in as many tries.

"The performance was very good aside from getting beat and falling asleep in two moments," Donovan said. "We've played Tacoma three times this year and if you took their goals out of the game every time, you'd say it's pretty good but unfortunately goals matter. To their credit, they were more alert on a set play than we were and got them back in the game and then again we fell asleep on a counter. Those were the plays that made the difference."

SD Loyal has now lost consecutive games at home. It was its third straight loss at home this season. Donovan's squad had been unbeaten in its first six home matches. SD Loyal (7-8-3, 24 points) has two more home matches this month to try and earn more points at Torero Stadium. Those two next matches are next week when it hosts Las Vegas Lights Wednesday Aug. 18. and three days later hosts Orange County SC Aug. 21.

"We have to be perfect if we are going to get points," Donovan said. "We are not scoring enough so it's putting us under pressure when we fall asleep. I always tell my team you get what you deserve. If we get plays right, we will get points. We're growing. I know it's frustrating but we still have 14 games to go."

SCORING

SD: 1-0 (22') Corey Hertzog (Assist: Oliver Larraz)

SD: 1-1 (65') Alex Villanueva (Assist; Ray Serrano)

SD: 1-2 (71') Carlos Anguiano

LINEUP:

SD Loyal -1. Austin Guerrero, 14. Josh Yaro, 19. Oliver Larraz, 3. Elijah Martin (81' -41. Ian Mai), 5. Grant Stoneman, 11. Tumi Moshobane (78' -Chase Boone), 42. Haji Abdikadir (69' -10. Alejandro Guido), 24. Miguel Ibarra, 6. Charlie Adams, 7. Jack Blake, 21. Corey Hertzog. Coach: Landon Donovan.

Tacoma Defiance: 31. Christian Herrera, 81. Randy Mendoza, 36. Issa Rayyan (55'- 45. Ethan Dobbelaere), 95. Jackson Ragen, 74. Taylor Mueller, 88. Carlos Anguiano, 34. Danny Robles (55' -80. Rey Serrano), 73. Obed Vargas, 99. Tom Brewitt (60'- 99. Tom Brewitt), 98. Samuel Adeniran (86'- 41. Cody Baker), 32. Alec Diaz (60'- 97. Juan Alvarez). Coach: Wade Webber

DOWNLOAD GAME PHOTOS HERE AND HIGHLIGHTS HERE

MEDIA CREDENTIAL APLICATION FOR NEXT MATCH

Members of the media wishing to cover the next home match on Aug. 7 can now apply for limited credentials. Please click here to apply. Applying does not guarantee a credential to the desired match. Multiple credentials for the same media outlet are not always guaranteed.

vs. Las Vegas Lights, Wednesday Aug. 18 (7:30 p.m. Pacific) Torero Stadium at USD

Check out the San Diego Loyal Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 15, 2021


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent San Diego Loyal Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central