Pec’s hat trick powers Galaxy past Jamaican side Mt. Pleasant

CARSON, Calif. — Gabriel Pec delivered a second-half hat trick to lift the LA Galaxy to a 3-0 victory over Jamaican side Mount Pleasant FA on Wednesday night at Dignity Health Sports Park, turning a frustrating evening into a commanding first-leg lead in their CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.

Pec scored in the 6th, 89th, and again in stoppage time in front of an announced crowd of 4,285 to provide the final margin, but the theme for most of the evening was missed opportunities before the late explosion.

Playing against a Mount Pleasant team reportedly missing ten first-team players due to visa issues, the Galaxy controlled possession and created chance after chance, yet struggled to find the back of the net for long stretches.

”Because of the nature of the competition, I don’t think I’m allowed to feel any empathy, yet,” Vanney said. “Super difficult circumstances. And I understand that from their perspective. I feel like they came and they put on, you know, however many guys are missing, they remain disciplined.”

The home side started brightly when Mauricio Cuevas set up Pec, whose left-footed shot from the right side of the box was sent past goalkeeper Tafari Chambers. 

It seemed like the beginning of a rout. Instead, the Galaxy went cold. 

Midfielder Erik Thommy had a shot deflected and later a long-range effort saved. Forward Klauss saw numerous headers miss high throughout the night, part of a growing list of chances that went unfinished. 

The half ended with Pec having a shot blocked, and LA went into the break with a narrow 1-0 lead that felt far too small given the circumstance.

The second half mostly followed the same script. Klauss picked up a yellow card, a Pec bicycle kick attempt went nowhere, and a header from Klauss sailed off the mark. 

“I just felt like everything was… a little too slow. The windows of opportunity were closing on us because we were just taking too long with the ball sometimes. And yeah, that means you don't have many. And then the good chances that we had, we didn't, we didn't put away.” 

In the 84th minute, the deadlock appeared to break. A shot from Ruben Ramos Jr. was deflected, and Harbor Miller headed in the loose ball to make it 2-0. The celebration was short-lived, after a VAR review, the goal was overturned due to a handball in the buildup.

Fortunately for LA, the VAR letdown lasted only five minutes.

In the 89th, substitute Miki Yamane found Pec, whose shot bounced off the crossbar and into the net for his second goal of the night. 

Six minutes into stoppage time, Pec completed his hat trick with another finish to make it 3-0, finally giving the scoreline some justice.

Pec’s dominant night comes on the heels of a costly red card in MLS play against Colorado last weekend.

”I think he was disappointed in himself for the decision last week,” Vanney said. “He apologized to the group because he felt like, if he stays on the field where and we're moving to go win that game.

“He felt disappointed, the best thing he can do is respond by coming out here tonight and bringing energy and and doing all the things that you need to do tonight, scoring three goals is obviously a big part.”

Vanney was also pleased with the efforts of his substitutes, especially given the Galaxy are scheduled to play four matches over the next 10 days.

”We've been using a lot of guys, so I think we'll stay within some version of our rotation. But again, seeing [Miller] and [Ramos Jr.], these guys come out tonight and be impactful, they obviously put their names into the mix.”

Next, LA hosts Sporting Kansas City back at Dignity Health Sports Park in MLS play Saturday at 6:30 p.m.