LA Galaxy II vs. Real Monarchs SLC
StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016
2016 USL Regular Season
7:30 p.m. PT
www.lagalaxy.com/2
With a spot reserved in the 2016 USL Playoffs, LA Galaxy II (11-7-11, 44 points) will be playing for postseason pole position on Saturday night when they take on Real Monarchs SLC (10-13-6, 36 points) at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium at 7:30 p.m. PT in their regular season home finale. The match will be streamed live on www.lagalaxy.com/2.
Click here to buy Fan Appreciation Night tickets
That night, LA Galaxy II will host Fan Appreciation Night. The special evening will feature numerous giveaways, including Los Dos branded t-shirts and other exclusive items. 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.
For complimentary parking to LA Galaxy II Fan Appreciation Night, fans are asked to enter the StubHub Center facility through Gate I, for parking in lots 16 and 4A/4B. Due to additional events taking place, anyone entering through other gates will be required to pay for parking.
As for the match, Los Dos currently sit sixth in the conference and a win on Saturday night is the only chance LA will have to host a first round postseason matchup in the USL Playoff’s single-elimination bracket. If the Galaxy can win, they’ll need a draw or loss from Swope Park Rangers (45 points) to earn fourth in the Western Conference, allowing them to host. OKC Energy FC (42 points) and Swope Park will both play Saturday evening, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (45 points) has played all 30 of their regular season games. The lowest LA could fall is seventh place.
Los Dos have faced off with Salt Lake only once this season, during the team's first road game of 2016 back on April 2. In the match, LA Galaxy II came back from a 3-0 halftime deficit scoring three goals in the final ten minutes of the game, escaping Rio Tinto Stadium with a point.
It was a comeback that only one of the league’s highest scoring teams was capable of, an identity that Los Dos has maintained for much of the season. Heading into Saturday’s finale, they lead the Western Conference with 49 goals.
As of late, the most dangerous scoring threat for Los Dos has been forward Ariel Lassiter. Lassiter has scored six of the team’s last nine goals, a scoring stretch in which he’s showcased his ability to finish from inside and outside the box. His eight goals on the season lead LA Galaxy II.
The team is also showing strength in defense as of late; they’ve allowed only two goals in their last three games, a feat they have only achieved once this season.
Real Monarchs will need a win and a lot of help around the league to claim the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference bracket. Paired with a win of their own, draws or losses from Portland, Orange County and San Antonio are the only way through for Real Monarchs.
LAST MATCH
LA Galaxy 1 | Sacramento Republic FC 1: LA Galaxy II earned a 1-1 draw on the road at Bonney Field against USL Western Conference leaders Sacramento Republic FC behind a first-half goal from forward Ethan Zubak. With the result, Los Dos sit in fourth place in Western Conference standings with just one game remaining in the 2016 USL Regular Season.
Los Dos opened the scoring just minutes before the end of the first half behind a goal from the Academy product Zubak, who tallied his second of the season. On the left side, Jose Villarreal let the ball run by him before to round the Sacramento defender and cross in a ball to Zubak. The Galaxy forward took a perfectly-placed, one-touch back heel to slide the shot past the Republic FC goalkeeper and give LA Galaxy II the lead.
Real Monarchs SLC 2 | Arizona United SC 3: The playoff hopes for Real Monarchs took a hit on Saturday night against Arizona United FC. In a back and forth battle, that saw goals from Pedro Baez and Amet Ramirez, Arizona was able to seal up the three points at the end of the night with a 3-2 win on a deflected goal from Long Tan. The Monarchs fell to 10-13-6 (36 points) with one match to play, needing a win over LA Galaxy II, along with a loss for San Antonio FC and a loss or draw for Orange County Blues for the second-year club to advance to the playoffs as the eighth seed.
2016 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 11-7-11, 44 points
Real Monarchs SLC: 10-13-6, 36 points
2015 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 14-11-3
Real Monarchs SLC: 7-13-8
THIS YEAR
LA Galaxy II 3, Real Monarchs SLC 3 (Rio Tinto Stadium) – Saturday, April 2
LA Galaxy II vs. Real Monarchs SLC – Saturday, Sept. 24
LAST YEAR
LA Galaxy II 0, Real Monarchs SLC 0 (StubHub Center) – March 22, 2015
LA Galaxy II 1, Real Monarchs SLC 0 (Rio Tinto Stadium) – April 25, 2015
GAME NOTES
- 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 five goals in his last six appearances for Los Dos.
- Last time at home, the team earned their seventh shutout of the season against RGVFC. It was Diop’s sixth shutout with Los Dos this season.
- Los Dos are 7-2-5 at home on the season. Real Monarchs SLC are 6-7-2 on the road.
- Los Dos lead the Western Conference in goals scored (49).
- 15 players have scored for LA Galaxy II in 2016, tied with Sacramento for most of any Western Conference team.
- Jose Villarreal leads the team with five assists on the season.
