LA Galaxy II (2-8-2, 8 points) travel to face Rio Grande Valley FC (5-3-3, 17) for the second time in one month on Saturday, June 17 at H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas. One of Los Dos’ longest road trips each season, Galaxy II will make the journey after just doing so on May 20. The match kicks off at 5:30 p.m. PT and will be stream live and for free on LAGalaxy.com/2.
During LA’s first trip to the brand-new H-E-B Park, Galaxy II forward Justin Dhillon provided a second-half equalizer, allowing LA to steal a point with a 1-1- draw. Dhillon has been Los Dos’ best target of late, scoring three of the Galaxy’s last four team goals. His play has earned the attention of head coach Mike Muñoz, who has awarded Dhillon with his first two starts since joining the Galaxy.
The team dropped a 2-1 result against Colorado Springs Switchbacks at home over the weekend, by way of a 90th minute goal concession. Conceding late is not an uncommon occurrence for the club, it’s natural for an organization looking to push the envelope with its youth. But Muñoz isn’t looking for any excuses.
“Our guys have to understand that to compete at this level every single day and every single match is hard work,” Muñoz said after the team’s most recent loss. “It’s hard work and it’s for 90 minutes. Right now we’re playing 88, 89 minutes and guess what, at this level that’s not good enough. So the faster our younger guys can figure this out the better.”
So far, he’s started the youngest lineup in Galaxy history, on April 22 when his starting eleven averaged the age of 19.2. In total, three lineups have come in under the average age of 20, a distant outlier in the United Soccer League. Youth isn’t the only adjustment the team has had to deal with: an offseason player shuffle saw eight new members come into the 14-man roster, a change the team is still getting used to.
Muñoz, also the club’s Academy Director, has given six LA Galaxy Academy members debuts in 2017, and continues to maintain the club’s youngest rotation of players in its short history.
GII are 1-4-1 on the road this season, but 1-1-1 in their last three away contests - Los Dos' most recent earned point came from the Rio Grande.
NOTES
- LA Galaxy II (2-8-2, 8 points) face RGVFC (5-3-3, 17 points) for the second time in one month on Saturday, June 17 at 5:30 p.m. PT from H-E-B Park in Edinburg, Texas.
- They last met there on May 20, when they played to a 1-1 draw.
- The Galaxy are 1-4-1 on the road this season.
- Six LA Galaxy Academy players have made their debuts this season.
- Justin Dhillon leads the Galaxy with three goals. He’s scored all three in the team’s last five games.
- Zubak leads the team with two assists.
- Former LA Galaxy II Head Coach Curt Onalfo was named LA Galaxy Head Coach on Dec. 13, 2016. Mike Muñoz was named LA Galaxy II Head Coach on Jan. 12, 2017.
- LA Galaxy II finished the 2016 USL Regular Season 12-7-11 (47 points).
- LA Galaxy II led the Western Conference in goals in 2016 (52).
- Next, Los Dos return to StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium to take on Western Conference rival Sacramento Republic FC at 6:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, June 25. Tickets to the match are available for purchase here, and the match will be streamed live on LAGalaxy.com/2
