The USL’s highest scoring side, LA Galaxy II (4-1-4, 16 points), kick off north of the border in a rematch against the league’s last unbeaten team, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 (4-0-2, 14 points), at 2:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 15 at UBC Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver. The game will be streamed live on //www.lagalaxy.com/2.
After suffering their first loss of the season to Sacramento Republic on May 7, LA Galaxy II have the chance to rebound against the Whitecaps, a side they’ve already seen once this season. On April 22, the two sides drew 2-2, despite LA holding a 2-0 lead through the 65th minute.
In this week’s USL Power Rankings, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 was the only Western Conference team to sit above Los Dos. Vancouver has played matches against two teams that Los Dos have also seen this season: Orange County Blues and Sacramento Republic FC. Vancouver managed better results in both, a 1-0 win over Orange County and a 0-0 draw against Sacramento.
LA were shutout for the first time of the season against Sacramento, but Los Dos still lead the league in goals per game average (1.89). Whitecaps FC 2 are averaging the second most in the Western Conference (1.83). Vancouver is led in goals by Kyle Greig, he’s T-3rd for most goals in the USL. He’s scored five goals in six games and currently holds a three-game goal streak. In the match against LA, Greig chipped Los Dos’ Clement Diop to bring Vancouver level in that first meeting of the season.
Jack McBean remains LA’s biggest threat. Before Sacramento, McBean had a three-game goal streak of his own. He leads the USL in goals scored (9), averaging a goal per game. This week, McBean was selected to the USL’s Team of the Week for the third time of the 2016 season.
Los Dos are unbeaten on the road in 2016. They drew 3-3 with Real Monarchs SLC on April 2, a match in which LA climbed back from a 3-0 deficit and scored three goals in the game’s last ten minutes. Most recently, Los Dos shutout Rio Grande Valley FC in a 2-0 win on April 30.
LAST MATCH
LA Galaxy II 0 | Sacramento Republic FC 2: Los Dos were shut out for the first time of 2016 season in a 0-2 home defeat against their Northern California rivals. Galaxy II struggled to threaten Sacramento; they were most imposing when Raul Mendiola and Jose Villarreal were subbed on in the 63rd minute. The highlight of the match came in a perfectly placed free kick from Sacramento’s Emrah Klimenta just before halftime.
Tulsa Roughnecks FC 2 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3: After going into the half down 0-1, Vancouver scored three second-half goals to earn three points on the road. The two sides traded goals to start the second half and, down 2-1, Vancouver was able to score two goals in the game’s final ten minutes for its fourth win of the season.
2015 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 14-11-3
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: 13-8-7
2016 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 4-1-4
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2: 2-1-3
LAST YEAR
LA Galaxy II 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 1 (StubHub Center) – May 3, 2015
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 0, LA Galaxy II 2 (UBC Thunderbird Stadium) – June 14, 2015
THIS YEAR
LA Galaxy II 2, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 2 (StubHub Center) – Friday, April 22
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 vs. LA Galaxy II (UBC Thunderbird Stadium) – Sunday, May 15
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 lead the Western Conference in goals per game average (1.89, 1.83 respectively).
- Los Dos have never lost to Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2. They are a perfect 2-0-1 all-time
- LA are 15th in lowest GAA (1.22). Vancouver are 9th (1.00).
- Jack McBean is Los Dos’ leading scorer. He also leads the USL in goals scored (9). He’s scored nine goals in league play this season and leads the USL. After Wednesday’s match, McBean, by himself, has scored goals by himself than half of the Western Conference’s teams.
- Next up, Galaxy II are back in the Pacific Northwest for a match against Seattle Sounders FC 2. Kickoff is at 5:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, May 22 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Wash.
LA Galaxy II Season Ticket Memberships for the 2016 USL season are available for purchase now. Season Ticket Members and Galaxy fans can go to www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/lagalaxyii or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) to secure their 2016 LA Galaxy II Season Ticket package. For single-game tickets, visit www.lagalaxy.com/schedule/2.
