LA Galaxy II (0-1-1, 1 point) are set to make their 2018 debut at StubHub Center, hosting their Home Opener at 3:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, March 31 at StubHub Center against San Antonio FC (1-1-0, 3 points). The match will be streamed live on LAGalaxy.com/2).
Home is a place Galaxy II are most eager to improve at in 2018, ready to turn the page on a 2017 season that saw them go 4-8-4 at StubHub Center. In Los Dos’ last home fixture against San Antonio, the Galaxy earned a 1-1 draw thanks to Jean Engola’s first USL goal.
A young Los Dos was thumped 3-0 when the two met for the first time in 2017 in San Antonio, but LA Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz is confident in his new-look squad, one with significantly more experience at this level.
“We have a much more balanced group regarding positional depth. We have real depth at every position which is something we didn’t necessarily have last year," Munoz said. "I also think that the guys have gained a lot of experience from last season, so some of the guys we relied upon too early or too soon, now have another year under their belts. The top talent from the Academy is also knocking on the door, so we’re excited to see how this team will perform."
Flashes of this experience showed in Galaxy II’s most recent outing, as they were able to earn a point in Fresno despite playing down a man for 65 minutes, after forward Justin Dhillon was issued a red card in the 25th minute. Dhillon will miss Saturday’s match, as will Hugo Arellano, who is serving the second of a three-game suspension.
San Antonio FC comes to StubHub Center with a 0-1-0 away record on the season. The team fell 2-1 to Sacramento Republic FC in their season opener at Papa Murphy’s Park. Shutting down San Antonio FC’s Kris Tyrpak and Mikey Lopez, both coming off one-goal, one-assist performances, will be key for Los Dos.
LAST MATCH
LA Galaxy 1 | Fresno FC 1: Emmanuel Appiah headed home a corner kick in the match’s third minute to give Los Dos the start they were looking for, but the team would soon be set back as forward Justin Dhillon was red-carded in the 25th minute. The team held off Fresno FC for much of the match but conceded in the 75th minute. Los Dos was able to hold on and earn a point in the contest.
San Antonio FC 2 | Saint Louis FC: Kris Tyrpak and Mikey Lopez both scored and assisted on each other’s goals as they led San Antonio to victory in the team’s 2018 Home Opener.
2017 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 8-19-5, 29 points
San Antonio FC: 17-4-11, 62 points
LAST YEAR
San Antonio FC 3, LA Galaxy 0 | April 1, 2017 at Toyota Field
LA Galaxy 1, San Antonio FC 1 | Sept. 9, 2017 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II are coming off a 1-1 draw with USL expansion side Fresno FC.
- LA Galaxy will be without Hugo Arellano (serving the second of a three-game suspension) and Justin Dhillon (serving a one-game suspension).
- Los Dos signed seven new players this offseason: Geoffrey Acheampong, Nate Shultz, Emmanuel Appiah, John Requejo, Frank Lopez, Wade Hamilton and Julian Büscher.
- LA Galaxy II finished the 2017 season with a 4-8-4 home record and a 4-11-1 away record.
- Justin Dhillon and Adrian Vera co-led the team in goals in 2017 (6).
- Ethan Zubak led LA Galaxy II in assists in 2017 (3).
- Next, the LA Galaxy take on local rival Orange County SC on Saturday, April 7 at Orange County Great Park.
