The San Diego Loyal is officially heading to the post-season.
Our local men's soccer team clinched a UCL Championship playoff spot over the weekend after defeating Phoenix Rising, 3-0, at Torero Stadium.
With this playoff berth, the San Diego Loyal make it consecutive seasons in which they make the post-season, an incredible run for Landon Donovan's team.
Evan Conway, Kyle Vassell and Jackson Kasanzu each scored a goal in minutes '54, '64, '77, sealing the deal with 15 minutes left in the match.
With this victory, San Diego puts an end to a three-game losing streak and still maintain themselves in the second-seed of the Western Conference with 55 points right under San Antonio, who is the other Western Conference team that has clinched a playoff berth.
Build-up to first goal: In the 54th minute, Evan Conway delivered a quality header goal from a long cross ball by Tumi Moshobane to open the scoreboard.
Build-up to second goal: Kyle Vassell used his chest to put the ball in back of the net after Phoenix's goalie looses possession of the ball to put Loyal up by two.
Build-up to third goal: Jackson Kasanzy delivered a second header goal in the 77th minute from a Jack Blake corner to put the local team up 3-0 at Torero.
Evan Conway's goal becomes the ninth time he finds the back of the net, the third in the past three matches he's played in.
Kyle Vassell's goal is his 13th of the season, holding on to his position as the team's leading goal scorer in this season.
As for Jackson Kasanzy's goal, this the Tanzanian international's first goal of the season, and the first overall goal in his professional career.
The San Diego Loyal have now scored 26 goals in their 30 matches played this season, which is more than any other USL Championship club this year.
Loyal SC will now be heading back on the road as they visit Las Vegas Lights this coming Saturday, September 24, with the objective of securing a home-seed postseason match.
