LA Galaxy II teams never look quite like the previous year. That was especially apparent for Los Dos’ defensive unit in 2016, as only one player from the 2015 roster returned to make double digit starts (Oscar Sorto).
In 2016, the LA Galaxy II backline was a combination of new faces, LA Galaxy Academy graduates, Los Dos returnees, and young first-team talent. After a pre-season ACL injury sidelined Braley Diallo for the majority of the season, Lee Nishashian and Jefrey Payeras anchored the backline for much of the campaign as two of Los Dos’ most featured defensive players. Nishanian, exceptional in the air, and Payeras, reliable in 1-on-1s, were very much a part of leading LA to its third consecutive playoff appearance.
Oscar Sorto split time in the middle with Nishanian and Payeras, while also clocking shifts in fullback positions. Hugo Arellano also got his feet wet in the middle of defense, recording eight appearances including his first professional start in a big 4-1 away win against Portland Timbers 2 midseason.
Ahead of the season, Los Dos signed LA Galaxy alumnus Nathan Smith and LA Galaxy SuperDraft selection Josh Turnley, both whom spent most of the season as Los Dos’ right back and left back, respectively. Turnley led the backline in offensive production recording four assists for LA. Smith, one of the Los Dos’ most physical players, impressed in his first professional season, joining Los Dos after forgoing his senior season with UCLA.
For Dave Romney, Los Dos helped keep the first-teamer fresh. Romney made seven appearances for LA Galaxy II in 2016, helping him keep fit enough to make a season-high eight starts and ten appearances for the first team in 2016.
The team recorded seven shutouts on the season compared to the nine they recorded in 2015 (USL expanded the league schedule to 30 games in 2016, teams played 28 in 2015). This year’s unit finished with a 1.4 GAA compared to a 1.1 in 2015.
HIGHLIGHTS
Los Dos ended the season in perhaps its best defensive form of the season. Their three goals allowed in the last four games of the regular season was the fewest over any such stretch on the campaign.
Notable performances from the defense included a 2-0 shutout away win after a long, grueling road trip to Rio Grande Valley FC on April 30. A statement 2-0 home shutout win against Tulsa Roughnecks FC ended a three-game unbeaten streak for Los Dos midseason.
2016 SEASON STATS
<p>Name</p> |
<p>GP</p> |
<p>MIN</p> |
<p>G</p> |
<p>A</p> |
<p>SH</p> |
<p>SOG</p> |
<p>FC</p> |
<p>YC</p> |
<p>RC</p> |
<p>Hugo Arellano</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>523</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>12</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>Jeffrey Payeras</p> |
<p>26</p> |
<p>1717</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>14</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Bradley Diallo</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>398</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>3</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Nathan Smith</p> |
<p>24</p> |
<p>1892</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>5</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>27</p> |
<p>7</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Josh Turnley</p> |
<p>23</p> |
<p>1976</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>26</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Oscar Sorto</p> |
<p>20</p> |
<p>1232</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>19</p> |
<p>6</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>Lee Nishanian</p> |
<p>26</p> |
<p>2159</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>8</p> |
<p>4</p> |
<p>23</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>Dave Romney</p> |
<p>7</p> |
<p>630</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>1</p> |
<p>2</p> |
<p>0</p> |
<p>0</p> |
