US Open Cup round of 32, Mexicans Abroad: What we learned

Carlos Vela is still scoring for LAFC, while Efrain Alvarez notched his first two goals for Galaxy’s senior team. Here’s what we learned from the US Open Cup round of 32.

Even in the U.S. Open Cup, Carlos Vela scores goals

You’d think that Carlos Vela would slow down a bit, but on Tuesday the Mexican forward was once again present on the scoresheet as LAFC advanced to the next round of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

Credit to coach Bob Bradley for taking this game somewhat seriously, but then again, LAFC just plain don’t like RSL after what happened in last season’s MLS Cup Playoffs.

Vela is currently Major League Soccer’s leading goalscorer with 16 goals, and now he has his first goal in the U.S. Open Cup. While some El Tri fans will continue to question his absence with the Mexico National Team, the fact of the matter is Vela looks like he is having fun out there. Can you blame him?

Sisniega looks promising

LAFC’s 3-0 win over Real Salt Lake also saw Mexican goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega get his first 90 minutes with his new side. Sisniega arrived to LAFC a few months ago from Real Sociedad B, but has been playing mostly backup for starting goalkeeper Tyler Miller.

Though the 23-year-old is very much a work in progress, he seems to have all the makings of a good goalkeeper. Odds are he is going to continue to be starter as long as LAFC are in the U.S. Open Cup, and it will be interesting to see how he further establishes himself in the team in what he hopes will be a lengthy LAFC cup run.

Evidently, Efrain Alvarez can score free kicks

Efrain Alvarez had a game to remember, scoring his first two goals for the Galaxy in their 3-0 win over Orange County FC. After going into the half scoreless, it was an Alvarez free kick that broke the deadlock in the 55th minute before notching a second moments later.

At only 16 years of age, Alvarez looks like a special player, and coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto looks more than willing to walk him through every step of the way. After participating with Mexico’s U-17s, Alvarez has seen an increased presence in the Galaxy’s first team, and one can only imagine this will continue going forward.

With the senior Mexico National Team in town, at the end of the game Alvarez didn’t hide the fact that he hopes to represent El Tri one day. With more performances like this one, his time with Mexico will undoubtedly come.

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