LOS ANGELES (Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023) – Playing their final road match of the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season, LA Galaxy II fell 5-1 to St Louis CITY 2 at CITYPARK on Sunday, Sept. 17. LA Galaxy II close out the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign by playing host to Houston Dynamo 2 in the regular-season finale at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24 (2:00 p.m. PT; MLSNEXTPro.com).
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LA Galaxy Academy*
Seven LA Galaxy Academy products started in the match against St Louis CITY 2: Carson Klein, Marcus Ferkranus, Ascel Essengue, Riley Dalgado, Adam Saldaña, Adrián González and Diego Rodriguez. Three LA Galaxy Academy products appeared as substitutes against CITY 2: Diego López, Nico Schelotto and Julian Placias. Notably, Rodriguez made his first professional start, logging 49 minutes of action.
Goal-Scoring Plays
STL – Wan Kuzain (Ezra Armstrong), 8th minute: Ezra Armstrong centered a pass towards the middle of the penalty area to Wan Kuzain, whose left-footed shot was deflected into the back of the net.
STL – Caden Glover (Ezra Armstrong), 28th minute: Ezra Armstrong delivered a ball into the box that was finished from close range by Caden Glover.
STL – Own Goal (Simon Jillson), 33rd minute: Faysal Bettache’s shot from just outside the 18-yard box was fired off the crossbar and deflected into the back of the net off a diving Simon Jillson.
STL – John Klein (Wan Kuzain), 48th minute: Wan Kuzain’s floated cross towards the top of the six-yard box was bicycle-kicked in by John Klein. **
LA – Aaron Bibout (Gino Vivi), 75th minute:** Gino Vivi delivered a long ball towards the top of the box to Aaron Bibout. The Cameroonian forward chested the ball down, flicked the ball over a St. Louis defender and then dribbled towards goal before rifling his left-footed shot into the top left corner.
Postgame Notes
- In two matches played against St Louis CITY 2 this season, LA held an 1-1-0 record.
- Ten LA Galaxy Academy products appeared in the match against St. Louis.
- Seven LA Galaxy Academy products started in the match against St Louis CITY 2: Carson Klein, Marcus Ferkranus, Ascel Essengue, Riley Dalgado, Adam Saldaña, Adrián González and Diego Rodriguez.
- Three LA Galaxy Academy products appeared as substitutes against CITY 2: Diego López, Nico Schelotto and Julian Placias.
- Notably, Rodriguez made his first professional start, logging 49 minutes of action.
- Aaron Bibout scored his 14th goal of the season in the match against St. Louis.
- Notably, Bibout scored 10 goals in 14 matches played on the road this season for Galaxy II.
- Bibout has recorded four goals in his last four matches played dating back to Sept. 3.
- Gino Vivi recorded his third assist in his 10th appearance (10th start) for Los Dos on loan from the LA Galaxy.
- In 14 matches played on the road during the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season, LA Galaxy II held a 2-10-2 record.
Video Highlights
To view highlights from the MLS NEXT Pro regular-season match between LA Galaxy II and St Louis CITY 2, click here.
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Next Game
*Next up, LA Galaxy II play host to Houston Dynamo 2 in the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro Regular-Season finale at Dignity Health Sports Park’s Track & Field Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 24. The Sept. 24 match kicks off at 2:00 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.
2023 MLS NEXT Pro Regular Season
LA Galaxy II (5-16-6, 25pts) at St Louis CITY 2 (11-8-8, 46 points)
Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 – CITYPARK (St. Louis, Mo.)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
LA Galaxy II 0 1 1
St Louis CITY 2 3 1 4
Scoring Summary:
STL: Kuzain (Armstrong), 8
STL: Glover (Armstrong), 28
STL: Own Goal (Jillson), 33
STL: Klein (Kuzain), 48
LA: Bibout (Vivi), 75
Misconduct Summary:
LA: Picazo (caution), 49
LA: González (caution), 72
Lineups:
LAG: GK Simon Jillson; D Carson Klein (Nico Schelotto, 78), D Marcus Ferkranus, D Ascel Essengue, D Riley Dalgado; M Adam Saldaña ©, M Adrián González, M Diego Rodriguez (Diego López, 45), M Axel Picazo (Julian Placias, 78), M Gino Vivi (Sergio Villalpando, 90+1) F Aaron Bibout
Substitutes Not Used: GK Nolan Anderson; D Elijah Amadin, D Emiliano Garcia
TOTAL SHOTS: 11 (Gino Vivi, 7); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (Gino Vivi, 2); FOULS: 8 (Adrián González, 3); OFFSIDES: 1; CORNER KICKS: 1; SAVES: 4
STL: GK Christian Olivares; D Ezra Armstrong, D Lucas Bartlett (Josh Maher, 43), D Michael Wentzel ©, D Nolan McGuire, M John Klein, M Max Schneider, M Sergio Rivas (AJ Palazzolo, 75), M Wan Zuzain (Ryley Gibbs, 75), M Caden Glover (Mykhi Joyner, 62); F Faysal Bettache (Aaron Heard, 48)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Eric Walker; M Dida Armstrong, M Larsen Hackworth; F Stanislav Koval
TOTAL SHOTS: 16; SHOTS ON GOAL: 7; FOULS: 18; OFFSIDES: 0; CORNER KICKS: 4; SAVES: 4
Referee: Alejo Calume
Assistant Referees: Eric Burton, Justin Mack
Fourth Official: Braeden Frey
Weather: Clear, 78 degrees
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial
