LA Galaxy II vs. Sacramento Republic FC
Bonney Field (Sacramento, Calif.)
Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016
2016 USL Regular Season
7:30 p.m. PT
www.lagalaxy.com/2
After clinching a spot in the USL playoffs for the third straight season, LA Galaxy II (11-7-10, 43 points) travel to Sacramento Republic FC (13-6-9, 48 points) for their fourth meeting of the year with the Northern Californian side. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT at Bonney Field and will be streamed live on www.lagalaxy.com/2.
The two rivals met just a week ago in Los Angeles when they split points in a 1-1 draw. LA Galaxy’s Ariel Lassiter scored in the match, continuing an incredible run of form for the young forward. With his goal on Wednesday, Lassiter has scored five goals in his last six appearances, reinstating himself as Los Dos’ active leader in goals and most versatile scorer.
This weekend’s match will be a chance for Los Dos to bring their 2016 road record even. LA are 4-5-5 away from home this season and a win would mark LA’s first against Sacramento this season; they’re 0-1-2 against Republic FC so far. All-time, LA is 1-8-2 against Sacramento with their lone win coming at Bonney Field in the 2015 USL Playoffs.
LA sit fourth in the Western Conference standings with 43 points behind Rio Grande Valley FC (45), Colorado Springs Switchbacks (46) and Sacramento Republic FC (48). Each team has two games left on their regular season schedule.
LAST MATCH
LA Galaxy 1 | Rio Grande Valley FC 0: LA Galaxy II clinched a spot in the 2016 USL playoffs with a 1-0 win over Rio Grande Valley FC. It was Los Dos’ second victory over the Texan side this year. In the match, Ariel Lassiter scored his eighth goal of the season and the fifth of his previous six appearances. It was LA’s seventh shutout of the season, Diop’s sixth.
LA Galaxy 1 | Sacramento Republic FC: The first half started with LA Galaxy II looking more comfortable on their home field, with Los Dos breaking through in the 38th minute. A free kick from Jaime Villarreal, about 25 yards from goal, was blocked up by Newton, but instead of going over the bar, the ball hit the bar and fell to the feet of Lassiter who blasted it in from short range putting Los Dos ahead 1-0. LA would lead 1-0 at the break.
Republic FC came out the aggressor in the second half dominating possession and the chances on goal. Republic FC would finally break through in the 83rd minute. On a counter attack, Republic FC played the ball through the middle of the field. Forward Cameron Iwasa played a long through ball, finding Wilson Kneeshaw in a one-on-one situation as he beat the offside trap. Kneeshaw then beat the onrushing Diop with a low shot, evening the score at 1-1. The result held and Sacramento remained atop the Western Conference standings.
2015 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 14-11-3
Sacramento Republic FC: 13-8-7
2016 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 11-7-10, 43 points
Sacramento Republic FC: 13-6-9, 48 points
LAST YEAR
LA Galaxy II 2, Sacramento Republic FC 3 (StubHub Center) – March 28, 2015
Sacramento Republic FC 3, LA Galaxy II 1 (Bonney Field) – April 11, 2015
LA Galaxy II 0, Sacramento Republic FC 1 (StubHub Center) – May 17, 2015
Sacramento Republic FC 4, LA Galaxy II 0 (Bonney Field) – July 11, 2015
Sacramento Republic FC 0, LA Galaxy II 1 (Bonney Field) – September 26, 2015
THIS YEAR
LA Galaxy II 0, Sacramento Republic FC 2 (StubHub Center) –Saturday, May 7
LA Galaxy II 2, Sacramento Republic FC 2 (Bonney Field) – Saturday, June 4
LA Galaxy II 1, Sacramento Republic FC 1 (StubHub Center) – Saturday, September 10
LA Galaxy II at Sacramento Republic FC (Bonney Field)– Saturday, September 17
GAME NOTES
- With a 1-0 win over Rio Grande Valley FC (12-6-9, 45 points) on Wednesday night at StubHub Center, LA Galaxy II (11-7-10, 43 points) clinched a playoff spot in the 2016 USL Playoffs behind another goal from Ariel Lassiter.
- Los Dos, the 2015 USL Western Conference Champions, have now made it to the postseason in each of their three years as a USL club.
- Ariel Lassiter is LA Galaxy II’s active leading goal scorer (8). He’s scored in five goals in his last six appearances for Los Dos.
- The team earned their seventh shutout of the season against RGVFC night. It was Diop’s sixth shutout with Los Dos this season.
- Los Dos are 4-4-5 at home on the season. Sacramento are 7-3-4 at home.
- Los Dos lead the Western Conference in goals scored (48).
- 15 players have scored for LA Galaxy II in 2016, tied with Sacramento for most of any Western Conference team.
- Jaime Villarreal, Jose Villarreal and Josh Turnley co-lead the team with four assists.
- LA Galaxy II will play their final regular season home game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they take on Real Monarchs SLC at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium.
LA Galaxy II will host Fan Appreciation Night during the team’s final home match of the 2016 USL Regular Season. On Saturday, Sept. 24, Los Dos will celebrate their fans and their support this year during a special night at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium.
Fan Appreciation Night will feature numerous giveaways, including LA Galaxy II branded t-shirts and other exclusive items courtesy of Alcatel, Bare Republic, Herbalife Nutrition and Chick-fil-A. Additionally, LA Galaxy II Head Coach Curt Onalfo will personally address the fans postgame and fans will have an opportunity to win warm-up jerseys off an LA Galaxy II player’s back. Tickets to the match are available for purchase here.
