View from the Los Angeles Blues: March 24, 2013

While Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy were continuing their 2013 Major League Soccer season, Jesus Rico-Sanz’s Los Angeles Blues were beginning their 2013 USL PRO season this weekend against Phoenix FC Wolves at Titan Stadium on the campus of California State University Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif.

Rodrigo Lopez and the Los Angeles Blues shut out Phoenix FC Wolves, 2-0, on Saturday at Titan Stadium to begin their 2013 USL PRO campaign. Photo courtesy labluesprosoccer.com.

Over the past week, former Chivas USA player Rodrigo Lopez signed with the Blues. Lopez has nine years of professional experience under his belt and was with Orlando City last year. The acquisition adds depth to a Blues side that is confident that all the pieces will fall into place.

On Saturday, the Blues took it to the Wolves and shut them out, 2-0. George Davis IV scored in the 25th minute of play and Chris Cortez slammed the door shut in the 49th minute.

“It’s a great start. You can’t ask for anything better. The players played with great discipline. They were strong defensively,” Rico-Sanz told the labluesprosoccer.com. “When we had the ball, they moved it well. The midfield played very well, first and second half. We missed the finishing in the last third. I’m very pleased.”

“I definitely wanted to get on the board. I know I’m going to have to score some goals this year. Matt got down the side and put a great ball into the box, and I was able to get at the end of it,” said Davis on opening his scoring account for the year.

GOALS:
LA Blues: George Davis IV 1 (Matt Hall) 25’
LA Blues: Chris Cortez 1 (Rodrigo Lopez) 49’

LA Blues: Carl Woszczynski, James Turner, Cory Miller, Matt Hall (Daryoush Yazdani 64’), Adrian DuBois, Nelson Pizarro (Charley Pettys 64’), Allan Russell, Juan Perez (Stanley Duran 45’), Rodrigo Lopez, Chris Cortez (Sergio Ortiz 81’), George Davis IV (David Bakal 76’).
Subs not used: Steve Gonzalez, Conor Hearn

Phoenix FC: Andrew Weber, Donald Toia, Scott Morrison, Cyprian Hedrick, Renan Boufleur, Joao Inacio de Jesus, Anthony Obodai (ejected 42’), Reid Schmitt (Moer Yhan DeDoue 61’), Diego Faria de Silva (Cameron Vickers 75’), Aaron King, Travis Bowen (Thomas Ramos 79’).
Subs not used: Sheldon Parkinson, Elliot Weber, Brad Keller

Los Angeles continue their season on Apr. 2 against VSI Tampa Bay. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET.