LA Galaxy II (9-4-9, 36 points) drew 0-0 with OKC Energy (8-3-10, 34 points) on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. Thanks to a handful of incredible Clement Diop saves, LA escaped OKC with a point in the first of a five-game road stretch. It was the team’s sixth shutout of the season; Diop’s fifth for Los Dos in 2016.
In the first half, Los Dos struggled to put together solid possessions as Energy FC proved to be the dominant side earning more chances on goal. The pressure included two especially good looks, the first happening when Energy FC forward Linus Olssen had a wide open look at goal in the 29th minute, but was unable to direct the ball on target.
In the second chance just before the close of the half, Lee Nishanian secured the first half shutout in the 45th minute when he slid behind a beaten Diop to make a goal line header save on Energy FC forward Linus Olssen’s goal bound shot.
The offensive pressure from Energy FC continued in the second half, but a couple of superb saves from Diop kept Los Dos in the match. First, Diop made a one-handed diving save in 64th minute on a well-placed header from Energy FC’s Danni Konig. In the 73rd minute, Diop saved a penalty kick from Michael Thomas after LA Galaxy’s Nathan Smith was called for a handball in the box.
Diop wasn’t done, and his last save of the game might have been his best. In the third minute of extra time, Diop made another one-handed diving save to preserve the shutout and secure the road point for Los Dos.
Next up, the road trip rolls on for Los Dos. They’ll return to SoCal to take on Orange County Blues FC on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Anteater Stadium in Irvine, Calif. In their last match there, LA Galaxy II were shutout 2-0. For a full LA Galaxy II schedule, visit www.lagalaxy.com/schedule/2.
Scoring Summary:
LA – none
OKC – none
Lineup
LA Galaxy II: Clement Diop; Nathan Smith, Hugo Arellano, Lee Nishanian, Oscar Sorto; Bryam Rebellon, Jaime Villarreal, Alejandro Covarrubias; Bradford Jamieson IV, Jose Villarreal (Denzel Slager 88’), Ariel Lassiter (Jefrey Payeras 94’)
Substitutions not used: Kainoa Bailey, Bennett Sneddon, Ryo Fujii, Adrian Vera, Ethan Zubak
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II (9-4-9, 36 points) drew 0-0 with OKC Energy (8-3-10, 34 points) on Saturday, Aug. 13 at Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla.
- LA Galaxy II are 3-2-5 on the road this season. OKC Energy FC are 5-2-5 at home.
- The shutout was Clement Diop's fifth of the season. It was the team’s sixth.
- 14 players have scored for LA Galaxy II in 2016. That’s the most in the Western Conference.
- Los Dos lead the USL Western Conference in goals scored (43). Jack McBean leads LA Galaxy II with 15 goals. Jaime Villarreal and Josh Turnley co-lead the team with four assists.
- LA Galaxy II defender Jefrey Payeras made his international debut for Guatemala on Wednesday, Aug. 10 in their friendly with Central American rival Panama in Panama.
Next up, the road trip rolls on for Los Dos. They’ll return to SoCal to take on Orange County Blues FC on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Anteater Stadium in Irvine, Calif. In their last match there, LA Galaxy II were shutout 2-0. For a full LA Galaxy II schedule, visit www.lagalaxy.com/schedule/2.
LA Galaxy II single-game tickets are now on sale to the public. Fans can go to //www.lagalaxy.com/schedule/2 to purchase single-game tickets for the 2016 USL Regular Season. Los Dos tickets to each of the team’s 2016 home matches can be purchased for just $10. Home matches at StubHub Center feature free parking for attending fans on non-StubHub Center event days.
2016 LA Galaxy II Mini Season Plan Ticket Packages for the remainder of the 2016 USL season are available for purchase now. Fans should visit www.lagalaxy.formstack.com/forms/galaxy_2_mini_plan to secure their seats or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299). For single-game tickets, visit www.lagalaxy.com/schedule/2.
