LA Galaxy II Year in Review: Midfielders

OVERVIEW

A unit that supported and contributed to the Western Conference’s highest scoring offense, the Los Dos midfield was led largely by the leadership of Alejandro Covarrubias and Jaime Villarreal. The pair were two of LA Galaxy II’s most featured players and were the most consistently placed pieces in the ever-changing makeup of the organization’s second team.

Ryo Fujii and Bryam Rebellon were the only other two midfielders to record over 20 appearances, while Raul Mendiola clocked over 1,000 minutes with the side in addition to his first team action.

HIGHLIGHTS

The midfield helped provide the team with an energy boost in a 3-3 tie with Real Monarchs SLC on April 2, a Bryam Rebellon assist and a Ryo Fujii goal inserting Galaxy II back into the game. A successful Jack McBean penalty kick sealed the comeback that saw Los Dos down 3-0 at halftime.

Two other notable performances including a 3-2 road win on July 23 against San Antonio FC at Toyota Field, one of the toughest road environments in USL. One goal and two assists from Jaime Villarreal earned his team the win and himself USL Team of the Week honors. A Sept. 14 shutout of Rio Grande Valley FC at home also featured an impressive display from the midfield, which helped the team closeout the game – a scenario the team was repeatedly confronted with in 2016.

ALEJANDRO COVARRUBIAS

Covarrubias was one of three Los Dos players to clock over 2,000 minutes for the side in 2016. It was his second straight season doing so, establishing himself as one of team’s most senior members. His 28 appearances on the season matched his 2015 totals. A reward for his efforts, Covarrubias was signed to a Short Term Agreement with the first team on June 14 and was a part of the gameday rotation for the team’s U.S. Open Cup matchup with La Maquina in June, although he did not feature.

RAUL MENDIOLA

Los Dos helped keep Mendiola fresh and in form for the five starts he made with the first team in 2016. LA Galaxy II’s lead assister in 2015, Mendiola scored two goals and tallied two assists in 17 appearances for Los Dos despite spending most of his time training with LA Galaxy. Perhaps Galaxy II’s most potent catalyst over the past two seasons, Mendiola showed LA Galaxy fans that he’s ready for the MLS spotlight.

KAINOA BAILEY

Bailey, signed to LA Galaxy II from Bayer 04 Leverkusen late in the 2014 season, made five appearances for Los Dos in 2016.

BRYAM REBELLON

Signed ahead of the season from Columbian side Llaneros F.C., the 24-year-old Rebellon played in 24 matches for Los Dosin his first taste of professional soccer in the United States. Rebellon was one of nine Los Dos players to clock over 1,500 minutes on the season and earned respect for his hustle on the field.

RYO FUJII

In his second season with LA Galaxy II, former Galaxy Academy product and midfielder Ryo Fujii doubled his number of appearances for Los Dos. Fujii was named to USL’s 20-Under-20 list highlighting some of the league’s top young talent. Fujii earned USL Team of the Week Honors for his two-goal performance at home against Arizona United SC in late May.

JAIME VILLARREAL

Villarreal, the first Galaxy Academy player signed to LA Galaxy II, led the side in minutes played on the 2016 campaign. A bully in the midfield, Villarreal impressed himself on opponents on both sides of the ball. He recorded two goals and four assists on the season while also earning USL Team of the Week Honors after a one goal, one assist performance in a 3-2 win at San Antonio FC on July 23.

ADRIAN VERA

Vera, signed to LA Galaxy II last season, made seven appearances on the season. Just 19-years-old, Vera also featured for the Galaxy Academy throughout the season.