CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy II will begin their third season on Saturday when they host Arizona United SC in their 2016 USL season opener.
Los Dos head into the season with high expectations after winning the USL Western Conference a year ago and coming within seconds of their first USL title before falling to the eventual champion Rochester Rhinos.
As we get ready for a new season of USL action returning to StubHub Center, I chose my five favorite goals from Galaxy II’s 2015 campaign.
ANDRE AURAS vs. SACRAMENTO REPUBLIC – 7/11/15
Andre Auras may not be with Galaxy II any longer, but Los Dos fans will never forget his prowess at set pieces.
Galaxy II were up 2-0 on Sacramento Republic in the 49th minute of their July clash at Bonney Field when Auras delivered a beautiful right-footed free kick that curled into the top right corner of the Sacramento net. Los Dos went on to defeat their archrivals, 4-0.
Auras made 38 appearances for Los Dos in his two-year career with the squad, scoring four goals.
BRADFORD JAMIESON IV vs. ARIZONA UNITED SC – 4/2/15
Bradford Jamieson IV’s flashy skill made him one of the Galaxy’s most exciting youth prospects in recent years, and this talent was on full display when Los Dos downed Arizona United in April.
In the 18th minute, Raul Mendiola played a speculative ball forward to Jamieson, who brought the ball down with his right foot with a perfect first touch, and found himself behind the Arizona defense. Jamieson, then, deftly fired a right-footed shot that drifted into the right corner of the net.
The Galaxy Homegrown Player went on to tally three goals on the year. Jamieson’s goal against Arizona was nominated for LAGalaxy.com’s Goal of the Year.
BRADFORD JAMIESON IV vs. TULSA ROUGHNECKS – 6/28/15
Bradford Jamieson IV wowed supporters with his individual skill and scored one of the best goals of the season in June when he helped lead Los Dos earn a win in Tulsa.
In the 64th minute with Galaxy II up 2-1, Travis Bowen found Jamieson in the penalty area off a throw-in. The Galaxy Homegrown product then dribbled by two defenders, and launched an off-balance shot that curled into the net for the goal.
Galaxy II went on to defeat Tulsa, 4-2 with Jamieson scoring twice.
RAUL MENDIOLA vs. AUSTIN AZTEX – 4/19/15
Galaxy Homegrown Player Raul Mendiola has taken full advantage of his opportunities with Los Dos, and scored numerous stellar goals along the way.
The 21-year-old Galaxy Academy product scored his finest goal of 2015 during Galaxy II’s 2-1 win over the Austin Aztex in April. The goal came in the 84th minute when Ryo Fujii found Mendiola making a darting run behind the defense, Mendiola then cut past a defender for the game-winner.
Mendiola ended the 2015 campaign with four goals and a team-leading eight assists.
ARIEL LASSITER vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC II – 5/3/15
The tandem of Ariel Lassiter and Raul Mendiola terrorized USL defenses in 2015, but their finest moment occurred in Galaxy II’s 2-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC II in May.
With the score tied at 1-1, Lassiter launched a pass from midfield toward Mendiola who brought the ball down and charged up field before finding a streaking Lassiter for the goal. The goal was one of Lassiter’s team-leading 11 tallies on the season.
Lassiter and Mendiola may both be signed with the first team in 2016, but will likely play considerable minutes with Onalfo’s squad this season.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
