CARSON, Calif. (Thursday, March 19, 2015) – LA Galaxy II announced today the full staff and roster ahead of the team’s opening match in United Soccer League (USL) this Sunday, March 22 at StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium against Real Monarchs, with kickoff set for 5 p.m. PT streamed live on www.lagalaxy.com.
Led by head coach Curt Onalfo, the team returns a total of 11 players from the club’s inaugural 2014 season in USL, as Andre Auras (MF), Kainoa Bailey (FW), Jason Bli (DF), Travis Bowen (FW), Alejandro Covarrubias (MF), Bradley Diallo (DF), Joe Franco (DF), Lee Nishanian (DF), Nicholas Shackelford (GK), Daniel Steres (DF) and Jaime Villarreal (MF) will represent Los Dos for their second-straight season.
Outside of the 11 returning Galaxy II players, Los Dos have added seven new players to its USL roster following the 2014 USL season, as Adonis Amaya (FW), Clement Diop (GK), Ryo Fujii (MF), Ariel Lassiter (FW), Eric Lopez (GK) Elijah Martin (MF) and David Romney (DF) round out the team’s first-year players who were signed this offseason.
Among the returning Galaxy II players are 2014 USL All-League Second Team players Daniel Steres and Andre Auras. Steres started in 20 matches while making 25 appearances for the Los Dos backline in 2014 while Auras started in 19 matches, scoring twice and adding five assists from the central midfield position.
LA Galaxy II also announced the coaching and technical staff, as Curt Onalfo returns for his second season as the head coach of Galaxy II. Rounding out the coaching and technical staff is Technical Director Jovan Kirovski Assistant Coach Rob Becerra, Goalkeeper Coach Daniel Gonzalez, Strength and Conditioning Coach Cris Rodriguez, Athletic Trainer Aki Tajima, Equipment Manager Gerson Vargas and Team Administrator Kelly Davila.
LA Galaxy II open the 2015 USL season when they face Real Monarchs at StubHub Center’s Track & Field Stadium this Sunday, March 22 at 5 p.m. PT. A complete LA Galaxy II 2015 schedule can be found here. All LA Galaxy II matches will be streamed live on www.lagalaxy.com with home matches broadcast by Time Warner Cable lead announcer Joe Tutino along with Ralph Perez.
Season tickets to Galaxy II are $48 while single-game tickets can be purchased for $10 each. To purchase tickets, fans can visit www.lagalaxy.com/2 or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299). All children ages 12 and under will receive free admission to all Galaxy II home games. Additionally, all home matches for Galaxy II will feature free parking.
Becoming a Los Dos 2015 Season Ticket Member offers fans additional benefits during the 2015 USL season, including 15% off for items at Team LA Store, special access to designated Galaxy II training sessions, an exclusive meet and greet with the 2015 team and coaching staff in addition to free tours of StubHub Center upon request.
LA GALAXY II ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS (3): Clement Diop, Eric Lopez, Nicholas Shackelford
DEFENDERS (6): Jason Bli, Bradley Diallo, Joe Franco, Lee Nishanian,Dave Romney, Daniel Steres
MIDFIELDERS (5): Andre Auras, Alejandro Covarrubias, Ryo Fujii, Elijah Martin, Jaime Villarreal
FORWARDS (4): Adonis Amaya, Kainoa Bailey, Travis Bowen, Ariel Lassiter
PLAYER BREAKDOWN
Birthplace:
- United States (12): Adonis Amaya, Kainoa Bailey, Travis Bowen, Alejandro Covarrubias, Joe Franco, Eric Lopez, Elijah Martin, Lee Nishanian, Dave Romney, Nicholas Shackelford, Daniel Steres, Jaime Villarreal
- France (3): Jason Bli, Bradley Diallo, Clement Diop
- Senegal (1): Andre Auras
- Costa Rica (1): Ariel Lassiter
- Hong Kong (1): Ryo Fujii
Signed from LA Galaxy Academy (5):
- Adonis Amaya, Ryo Fujii, Eric Lopez, Elijah Martin, Jaime Villarreal
PLAYER BIOS
Goalkeepers
| #41 | Clement Diop | Goalkeeper | 6-1 | 165 | Paris, France | 10/13/1993 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II permanently following the 2014 USL season | ||||||
Diop signed with LA Galaxy II following the 2014 season. A former France youth national team goalkeeper, Diop signed his first professional contract with Amiens Sporting Club in the Championnat National, the third division of professional soccer in France. | ||||||
| #75 | Eric Lopez | Goalkeeper | 6-0 | 165 | Westminster, Calif. | 3/5/1999 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II permanently following the 2014 USL season | ||||||
Lopez has featured at every level of the LA Galaxy Academy, playing with the LA Galaxy U-13’s to the U-18’s. He has also been named various U.S. Soccer Academy rosters, most recently earning his first call up to a U-17 U.S. Men’s National Team camp in January. Additionally, Lopez has spent time training with the LA Galaxy first team in previous seasons. When he signed with Galaxy II this offseason, he became the youngest player in USL history to sign a professional contract. | ||||||
| #64 | Nicholas Shackelford | Goalkeeper | 6-0 | 180 | Orange, Calif. | 10/13/1990 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of the 2014 USL season | ||||||
Shackelford joined Los Dos ahead of the club’s inaugural season and went on to make 16 appearances for the team. The California product attended St. Louis University, where he played for all four years and finished his career third all-time in wins (39), eighth in career GAA (0.92) and third in the A-10 in GAA, shutouts and save percentage. | ||||||
Defenders
| #55 | Jason Bli | Defender | 5-7 | 154 | Clichy, France | 11/2/1993 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II on August 20, 2014 | ||||||
A product of the Paris Saint Germain and Atletico Madrid academies, French defender Bli spent the last season with L'Entente Sannois Saint-Gratien in France’s fourth division before joining Los Dos on a free transfer. Before the start of the USL PRO season earlier this year, Bli was on trial with the Galaxy II, playing at left back in the team’s inaugural match against the Fresno Fuego last February. Before his stint with L'Entente SSG, the French defender spent a season with Paris FC, making 11 appearances for the third division French club. | ||||||
| #53 | Bradley Diallo | Defender | 6-0 | 174 | Marseille, France | 7/20/1990 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 USL Season | ||||||
Diallo began his professional career in his native France, when he signed a contract with Marseille after progressing through the team’s youth development system. Before joining Galaxy II in USL, the defender also spent time with Oldham Athletic in England and Royal White Star Bruxelles in Belgium. Last season for Los Dos, Diallo started in 20 matches in his 21 appearances. | ||||||
| #66 | Joe Franco | Defender | 5-9 | 150 | Monrovia, Calif. | 1/26/1990 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 USL Season | ||||||
Franco played four years at Cal State Northridge (2009-2012) after redshirting the 2008 season. In just his second season, he served as captain and during his time there, he earned honors as Big West Defender of the Year, All-Big West First Team and NSCAA All-Far West Region Second Team. In 2014, Franco appeared in 17 matches with three starts across the Galaxy II backline en route to helping his team finish third in USL Regular Season standings. | ||||||
| #67 | David Romney | Defender | 6-2 | 175 | Irvine, Calif. | 6/12/1993 |
| How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2015 USL Season | ||||||
| Romney attended the University of San Francisco, where he earned multiple honors during his four-year standout career, including All-West Coast Conference Second Team (2014), West Coast Conference All-Academic Team (2014), West Coast Conference All-Academic Team Honorable Mention (2013), All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention (2012, 2011) and 2011 West Coast Conference All-Freshman Team. In total, he played in 72 games during his career, including starting in all 19 games during his Senior season. A California product, Romney also appeared locally for the Irvine Strikers on the club level. | ||||||
| #72 | Lee Nishanian | Defender | 6-2 | 180 | Ranco Cucamonga, Calif. | 12/28/1991 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 USL Season | ||||||
Nishanian attended at California State University, San Bernardino, where he played all four years. Additionally, he also spent time with USL Premier Development League club Thunder Bay Chill. Last season, the defender made 14 appearances during Galaxy II’s USL Regular Season, starting in six total matches. | ||||||
| #44 | Daniel Steres | Defender | 6-0 | 175 | Burbank, Calif. | 11/11/1990 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 USL Season | ||||||
A 2014 USL All-League Second Team member for the second-straight season, Steres anchored the Galaxy II backline in 2014, starting in 20 games while appearing in 25 with three goals during the USL Regular Season campaign. Steres was originally drafted in MLS with the 28th pick of the 2012 MLS Supplemental Draft by Chivas USA. He later was selected by Seattle Sounders FC in the 2012 MLS Waiver Draft, signing with the club in 2012. Steres was previously a member of the Wilmington Hammerheads in 2013, when he led the team in goals with seven had three assists overall, earning him the team Most Valuable Player award. | ||||||
Midfielders
| #63 | Andre Auras | Midfielder | 6-0 | 185 | Dakar, Senegal | 4/22/1991 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 USL Season | ||||||
In 2014, Auras registered 22 appearances for Los Dos, scoring two goals and adding five assists throughout the USL PRO Regular Season, earning him 2014 USL All-League Second Team honors. He anchored a midfield that helped create one of the league’s best offensive outputs with 54 goals, the second best in USL PRO. He began his professional career with Stade Brestois 29 in France and also has experience playing for the French National Team on the youth level. | ||||||
| #57 | Alejandro Covarrubias | Midfielder | 6-1 | 170 | Cudahy, Calif. | 9/17/1991 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 USL Season | ||||||
In 2014, Covarrubias made 21 appearances for Galaxy II, making three starts. Prior to joining Los Dos in USL, he attended Cerritos College for his Freshman and Sophomore seasons. Covarrubias transferred to Cal State Dominguez Hills for his Junior Season, where he started in every match while registering six goals and five assists. He has also appeared for LA Galaxy Academy teams. | ||||||
| #48 | Ryo Fujii | Midfielder | 5-10 | 155 | Hong Kong | 8/7/1996 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II February 10, 2015 | ||||||
Fujii was a member of the Galaxy Academy during the 2013-14 season, when he made 28 appearances and scored five goals for the LA Galaxy Academy U-18’s to help his squad to a first-place finish in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy U-18 Division. The midfielder attended UC Santa Barbara in 2014, where he earned 2014 Big West All-Freshman Team after logging over 1,200 minutes and recording two assists in his first season with the team. | ||||||
| #58 | Elijah Martin | Midfielder | 5-5 | 142 | Fresno, Calif. | 7/4/1996 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II March 19, 2015 | ||||||
Martin, 18, most recently appeared for the LA Galaxy U-18’s during the 2013-2014 season, where he made 22 appearances and 20 starts while scoring and assisting once en route to finishing atop the USSDA’s Southwest Division. The midfielder also appeared for the Cal Odyssey in the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy and has represented the U.S. Men’s National Team from the U-14 through U-17 level. | ||||||
| #65 | Jaime Villarreal | Midfielder | 5-8 | 140 | Inglewood, Calif. | 6/23/1995 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II July 24, 2014 | ||||||
Villarreal most recently featured for the LA Galaxy Under-18 squad, scoring 10 goals to help lead his team to a 19-3-5 record and the Southwest Division Championship in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy 2013/2014 season. He also notched two goals to secure a 4-1 win over Chicago Magic PSG U-18 in the U.S. Soccer Development Playoffs. In total, Villarreal tallied over 30 goals for the Galaxy U-18 and U-16 squads during his youth career. In 2014, Villarreal appeared 11 times, making five starts after signing with Los Dos. | ||||||
Forwards
| #73 | Adonis Amaya | Forward | 5-10 | 155 | Weminster, Calif. | 11/10/1996 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II March 19, 2015 | ||||||
An LA Galaxy Academy product, Amaya was named U.S. Soccer Development Academy’s West Player of the Year in 2014 as a member of the Galaxy U-18 side. He scored 25 goals during the year, leading his team to a first-place finish in USSDA’s Southwest Division. The Westminster, California product also has international experience, representing various U.S. Men’s National Team youth teams. | ||||||
| #58 | Kainoa Bailey | Forward | 5-8 | 150 | Henderson, Nevada | 8/2/1995 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II August 20, 2014 | ||||||
Bailey, a Nevada native, joined Bayer Leverkusen’s Under-23 team after signing a professional contract with the club last summer. Additionally, Bailey has past U.S. Soccer Development Academy ties. Before playing abroad, Bailey played for the Academy teams of two MLS clubs – D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. On the international front, Bailey has represented the United States at the Under-20 level. Most recently, Bailey participated in a U.S. U-20 Men’s National Team training camp at North Carolina State University last May. | ||||||
| #58 | Travis Bowen | Forward | 6-0 | 150 | Henderson, Nevada | 8/2/1995 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II ahead of 2014 season | ||||||
Bowen joined Galaxy II ahead of the 2014 USL season, where he went on to play in 23 games while scoring twice. He has previously spent time with the Ventura County Fusion and also has experience playing for the Portland Timbers U-23 side. Bowen is the younger brother of former LA Galaxy striker Tristan Bowen. | ||||||
| #46 | Ariel Lassiter | Forward | 5-10 | 155 | Turrialba, Costa Rica | 9/27/1994 |
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How Acquired: Signed by Galaxy II February 18, 2015 | ||||||
Lassiter attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2014, where he earned honors on the Big West Conference All Freshman Team, starting in 21 games while scoring five goals and adding four assists. His five goals were second most on the team during the 2014 season. In July 2014, Lassiter signed a professional contract with GAIS in Sweden’s second highest division, Superettan, where he scored one goal in 12 appearances for the club. | ||||||
