CARSON, California, CMC – The LA Galaxy sent a resounding message to the rest of the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday night. Powered by a breathtaking hat-trick from Brazilian winger Gabriel Pec, the five-time MLS Cup champions dismantled Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA with a 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie here at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The result was never really in doubt after Pec opened the scoring in just the fifth minute, lashing a left-footed shot home from inside the box to give the home side a perfect start.
What followed, however, was a testament to the heroics of Mount Pleasant goalkeeper Tafari Chambers.
Under siege from a relentless Galaxy attack, Chambers produced a staggering nine saves to keep his team within touching distance, turning away chance after chance and frustrating the hosts for the majority of the match.
The Jamaican fairytale looked like it might hold until the final whistle, setting up a tense second leg. But just as the clock ticked into the 89th minute, Pec provided the killer blow, collecting his brace and seemingly sealing the win.
Not content with a simple brace, the Brazilian added a spectacular exclamation point deep into stoppage time. In the sixth minute of added time, Pec completed his hat-trick with another clinical left-footed finish in the box, capping a dominant individual display.
Pec’s treble was a slice of Galaxy history. He became the first LA player to score multiple goals in a Champions Cup match since the legendary Robbie Keane and Alan Gordon both netted braces in a 5-0 win against Comunicaciones back in August 2015.
The victory also underscored the Galaxy’s incredible fortress-like form in this competition. They are now unbeaten in their last 10 home matches in the Champions Cup, a streak dating back to August 2013, during which they have recorded eight clean sheets.
Furthermore, the win extends U.S. clubs’ unbeaten run against Jamaican opposition in the tournament to nine matches.
The two sides will reconvene next Thursday at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, for the second leg.
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