Sebastian Lletget’s two late goals in a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Sounders earned the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder TheCup.us Player of the Round honors for the Quarterfinals of the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
“This is the first time I can win something,” Lletget said. “I’m really excited.”
Lletget’s brace moves him into the competition for the tournament’s scoring title. His four goals in Los Angeles’ last two Open Cup games place him one goal behind Edwin Borboa of Santa Ana (Calif.) La Maquina FC (UPSL), a team the Galaxy eliminated in Round 4.
Lletget becomes just the second Galaxy player to ever win the award. The last came a decade ago when Landon Donovan scored a pair of overtime goals to eliminate the Colorado Rapids in the 2006 Quarterfinals.
The award is voted on by TheCup.is staff and a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters.
Lletget edged Brad Knighton of the New England Revolution for the award, with the Chicago Fire’s David Accam also receiving strong consideration.
The former West Ham (EPL) academy starlet, Lletget is currently the Galaxy’s super sub coming off the bench. He started in the Quarterfinals against Seattle but did not find the scoresheet until the 85th minute when his one-touch finish from Baggio Husidic’s cross gave L.A. a 3-2 lead.
Following a deft one-two sequence with teammate Gyasi Zardes three minutes later, Lletget capped the Galaxy’s rally from a 2-0 deficit with his second goal.
He also scored twice late in the Galaxy’s 5-1 win over La Maquina in a Fourth Round game.
HIGHLIGHTS
LLETGET’S GOALS