CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy II have already clinched a USL playoff berth and are only four points out of first place in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday’s clash with Portland Timbers FC 2 at StubHub Center’s track and field stadium. The game will be streamed live on www.lagalaxy.com.
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Los Dos' good position this late in the season marks quite an accomplishment, considering the roster changes on an almost weekly basis. Head coach Curt Onalfo believes that consistency is something of which coaches and players definitely can be proud.
“Honestly, I don’t think we get enough credit for the job that our organization has put into this,” Onalfo said. “We just want to continue with it and hopefully have something to show for it in terms of winning a championship at the end of the year.”
Galaxy II (13-10-3, 42 points) are coming off a 2-1 loss to Orange County Blues on Sept. 5 and have dropped their last two contests, but defender Joe Franco said he remains high on the team’s potential.
“We know what we’re capable of and we know what the stakes are, too,” he said.
Galaxy II are led by Ariel Lassiter’s 10 goals, as well as Jack McBean’s six goals and five assists. Onalfo admitted that the club might not be sharp as it was earlier in the season when it went on an impressive 5-0-2 run, but they’re close.
“Are we as confident as we were two months ago when we were on this major roll?” he said. “Probably not as much, but we believe in what we’re doing and want to finish strong.”
“We want a good performance tomorrow night and play well in Colorado on Saturday and get ourselves ready for the playoffs.”
Franco said Los Dos has had a good week of training, but he and his teammates remain wary of Wednesday’s opponent despite failing to qualify for the postseason.
“It definitely creates a bit of a challenge,” he said. “We know they will be coming out with everything they’ve got. It shows in Real Monarchs; they won their last five games and they have no chance at making the playoffs.”
“We know it’s going to be a good challenge.”
Onalfo said he couldn’t agree more.
“They didn’t qualify for the playoffs, but to me they’re one of the best teams in the league,” he said. “We’re going to have our hands full and it’s going to be a tough challenge.”
“There hasn’t been an easy game all year.”
