LA Galaxy II (0-3-2, 2 points) hit the road in search of their first win of the new season, taking on Saint Louis FC (1-1-2, 5 points) on Saturday, April 14 at Toyota Stadium in Fenton, Mo. The match will be streamed live on LAGalaxy.com/2.
The contest will mark the third in eight days for Los Dos, with the team returning to action after a disappointing midweek result in Los Angeles. Galaxy II put in one of their better performances of the season, but one chance given to Dider Drogba was enough for Phoenix Rising FC to take all three points in a 1-0 win at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium on Wednesday.
The team has struggled offensively to open the campaign, with only one goal recorded in five contests. Not helping is the fact that LA Galaxy II have played 28 percent of minutes this season down a man, with three ejections already to their name. But head coach Mike Muñoz was encouraged by his squad’s outing against Phoenix and thinks Los Dos are very close to flipping the narrative.
“We’re tough to play against. We’re hard to break down,” Muñoz said. “There’s no reason to panic. There’s no reason to change. We just need to put the ball back into the net.”
Getting the first goal in their weekend contest with Saint Louis will be key for Los Dos, and it’s certainly going to be part of the gameplan Saturday.
“We are going to live and die by being able to put that first goal away,” Muñoz said. “It’s the final piece of the puzzle that we haven’t been able to execute.”
Galaxy II face a St. Louis side that have gone undefeated in the two home matches they’ve hosted this season. This will be the third straight weekend at home for STLFC, with a 1-0 win over Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and 1-1 draw against Fresno FC in the rearview.
LAST MATCH
LA Galaxy II 0 | Phoenix Rising FC 1:Los Dos put in their best 45 of the season in the first half of Wednesday’s matchup. But one chance conceded to Didier Drogba was all Phoenix Rising FC needed for victory.
Saint Louis FC 1 | Fresno FC 1: STLFC controlled possession in a 1-1 draw with Fresno at home last Saturday, with a penalty from Corey Hertzog just before halftime.
2017 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 8-19-5, 29 points
Saint Louis FC: 9-14-9, 36 points
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II have played 28 percent of minutes this season down a man.
- For the first time since their season opener, no LA Galaxy II players will be suspended for a regular season match.
- Los Dos signed seven new players this offseason: Geoffrey Acheampong, Nate Shultz, Emmanuel Appiah, John Requejo, Frank Lopez, Wade Hamilton and Julian Büscher.
- Appiah has scored Los Dos’ only goal this season.
- LA Galaxy II finished the 2017 season with a 4-8-4 home record and a 4-11-1 away record.
- Justin Dhillon and Adrian Vera co-led the team in goals in 2017 (6).
- Ethan Zubak led LA Galaxy II in assists in 2017 (3).
- Next, LA Galaxy II return home to take on New York Red Bulls II at 5:30 p.m. PT on Sunday, April 22 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium. Tickets to that match are on sale now at https://www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/lagalaxyii/singlegame.
