LA Galaxy II 1, Rio Grande Valley FC 0
StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Sept. 14, 2016
2016 USL Regular Season
7:30 p.m. PT
www.lagalaxy.com/2
Los Dos have now made it to the postseason in each of their three years as a USL club. With a 1-0 win over Rio Grande Valley FC (12-6-9, 45 points) on Wednesday night at StubHub Center, LA Galaxy II (11-7-10, 43 points) clinched a playoff spot in the 2016 USL Playoffs behind another goal from Ariel Lassiter.
Lassiter’s goal was his eighth of the season and his second consecutive game with a goal. In his last six appearances for Los Dos, he’s scored five goals.
The match was physical from the kick, and in the first half, the visitors were the side dictating the tempo. RGVFC controlled possession and was significantly more active in the final third earning five corner kicks. RGVFC tallied eight shots to LA’s one in the first 45 minutes. Clement Diop’s four first-half saves helped Galaxy close out the half without any damage.
Los Dos came out more aggressive in the second half and were rewarded shortly after the pressure of substitute Adonis Amaya helped forced a turnover in the Toros’ half of the field. Amaya then slid a short pass to Lassiter at the top of the box. Lassiter cut the ball back inside to set up his right foot before blasting the shot outside the reach of Toros goalkeeper Devin Perales.
Rio Grande Valley ramped up the pressure on LA quickly after and it would take another four saves from Diop to close the half and see out the shutout.
It was a busy night in net for Diop, who recorded a season-high 8 saves. The shutout was his seventh of the season.
Next, Los Dos will play their final regular season road game when they travel to face Sacramento Republic FC. The match will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Bonney Field. LA are 0-1-2 against Sacramento this season. LA Galaxy II will play their final regular season home game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they take on Real Monarchs SLC at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
LA – Ariel Lassiter (Assisted by Adonis Amaya) 61’
Lineup:
LA Galaxy II: Clement Diop; Oscar Sorto, Jefrey Payeras, Lee Nishanian (Josh Turnley 62’), Dave Romney; Bradford Jamieson IV (Jose Villarreal 63’), Alejandro Covarrubias, Bryam Rebellon, Denzel Slager; Ethan Zubak (Adonis Amaya 58’), Ariel Lassiter
Substitutions not used: Eric Lopez, Nathan Smith, Hugo Arellano, Kainoa Bailey
Attendance: 714
GAME NOTES
- With a 1-0 win over Rio Grande Valley FC (12-6-9, 45 points) on Wednesday night at StubHub Center, LA Galaxy II (11-7-10, 43 points) clinched a playoff spot in the 2016 USL Playoffs behind another goal from Ariel Lassiter.
- Los Dos, the 2015 USL Western Conference Champions,have now made it to the postseason in each of their three years as a USL club.
- Lassiter’s goal was his eighth of the season. He’s scored five goals in his last six appearance for Los Dos leads the team in goals.
- The team earned its seventh shutout of the season on Wednesday night. It was Diop’s sixth shutout with Los Dos this season.
- Los Dos are 7-2-5 at home on the season. RGVFC are 6-4-4 on the road.
- Los Dos lead the Western Conference in goals scored (48). RGVFC are second (43).
- 15 players have scored for LA Galaxy II in 2016, tied with Sacramento for most of any Western Conference team.
- Jaime Villarreal, Jose Villarreal and Josh Turnley co-lead the team with four assists.
- Next, Los Dos will play their final regular season road game when they travel to face Sacramento Republic FC. The match will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Bonney Field. LA are 0-1-2 against Sacramento this season.
- LA Galaxy II will play their final regular season home game at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 when they take on Real Monarchs SLC at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium.
LA Galaxy II will host Fan Appreciation Night during the team’s final home match of the 2016 USL Regular Season. On Saturday, Sept. 24, Los Dos will celebrate their fans and their support this year during a special night at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium. Fan Appreciation Night will feature numerous giveaways, including LA Galaxy II branded t-shirts and other exclusive items courtesy of Alcatel, Bare Republic, Herbalife Nutrition and Chick-fil-A. Additionally, LA Galaxy II Head Coach Curt Onalfo will personally address the fans postgame and fans will have an opportunity to win warm-up jerseys off an LA Galaxy II player’s back. Tickets to the match are available for purchase here.
