LA Galaxy II vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium – Carson, Calif.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
2016 USL Regular Season
7:30 p.m. PT
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (3-1-0, 9 pts.) travel to LA this week to face LA Galaxy II (3-0-4, 13 pts.) for a midweek match that will kick off at 7:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, May 4 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium. LA Galaxy Ring of Honor member and soccer legend Mauricio Cienfuegos as well as Galaxy midfielder Emmanuel Boateng will be out at the match to sign autographs and take photos with fans pre-game. The first 1,000 fans to enter will get a “This is LA” t-shirt. Fans coming out to the match will also be treated to free parking, $2 tacos and $2 beer.
LA, the league’s leading scorers, are the only team in the USL to average at least 2.0 goals per game. Captain and forward Jack McBean leads the team with six goals; he’s second only to Louisville City FC’s Jon Chandler Hoffman (7). In 2015, McBean had just six goals on the season.
Los Dos will play their first match of the 2016 season in StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium, the team’s familiar home field. They’ve played the first five home games of the 2016 season in StubHub Center’s main stadium, allowing time for renovations to the Track & Field Stadium to be completed. Going forward, Los Dos home fixtures will be played at the Track & Field Stadium.
At home this year, Los Dos are 2-0-3. Galaxy II have drawn with the traveling opposition in three consecutive games and on Wednesday they’ll be anxious to prove that an away match at StubHub Center is no place to find points. Los Dos like to strike first; they’ve scored first in each of their five home matches this season. They also have yet to allow a goal in the first half of a home match.
Despite having only played four games, Switchbacks FC sits fourth in the USL’s Western Conference Standings. The team is 1-1-0 on the road this season. In their most recent away match, Colorado fell 1-0 to Seattle Sounders FC 2. They’ve allowed only one goal in the team’s previous three games and are tied for lowest GAA in the USL (0.50).
LAST MATCH
Rio Grande Valley FC Toros 0 | LA Galaxy II 2: LA Galaxy II made the long trip to Edinburg, Texas for their second away match of the season and first match ever with 2016 USL expansion club Rio Grande Valley FC. It was the first home game in history for the Toros, but it was spoiled by a 2-0 victory from the visitors. Goals from Ariel Lassiter and Jack McBean with Clement Diop’s third shutout of the season propelled Los Dos to victory. Both goals were scored just ten minutes into the second half and from there, Los Dos closed the game out – something they’ve struggled to do in 2016 – in windy conditions in front of sold-out crowd.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1 | San Antonio FC 0: Switchbacks FC earned their second shutout of the season in their second home match of the season in a 1-0 win over San Antonio FC, one of the Western Conference’s top sides. Martin Maybin scored the winning goal for the home side. He’ll be one to mark for Galaxy II; he’s totaled three goals and tallied one assist in the team’s four games this season.
2015 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 14-11-3
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: 14-10-4
2016 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 3-0-4 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: 2-1-1
THIS YEAR
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at LA Galaxy II – Wednesday, May 4
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at LA Galaxy II – Saturday, June 11
LA Galaxy II at Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC – Saturday, September 3
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II leads the Western Conference in individual goal scorers (6). Ariel Lassiter (3), Jack McBean (6), Ryo Fujii, Ethan Zubak, Bryam Rebellon and Jose Villarreal (2) have all scored for Los Dos in 2016.
- The Galaxy are one of two unbeaten teams in the USL. Los Dos drew with the other, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 2-2, and will see them again on May 15 in Vancouver.
- Wednesday’s match will be the league’s best offensive side versus the league’s best defensive side. Colorado is tied for the lowest GAA in the USL (0.50) while Galaxy II leads the league in goals per game average (2.0)
- LA Galaxy II lead the Western Conference in goals scored (14). They are the only team to be averaging two goals per game or higher. LA Galaxy (2.25) and LA Galaxy II (2.0) each lead their respective leagues in goals per game.
- Lee Nishanian is the only player to have started every game for Galaxy II this season. He’s got the busiest legs in the league; he’s tied with two other players for 630 minutes played.
Next up, Galaxy II are at home again for their first of four 2016 regular season matches against Sacramento Republic FC. Kickoff for that match is schedule at 7:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, May 7 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium.
