LA Galaxy II (1-5-1, 4 points) accompany the first team east this weekend, in a unique double header that will see Los Dos take on 2016 USL defending champions New York Red Bulls II (5-1-0, 15 points) at Red Bull Arena, following the conclusion of LA Galaxy vs. New York Red Bulls at 3 p.m. PT. The rare USL Eastern vs. Western Conference matchup will kick off at 6:00 p.m. PT and be streamed live on LAGalaxy.com/2.
Sunday’s contest will mark the first two-match week for Los Dos this season, when they return to the pitch after suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Real Monarchs SLC on Wednesday. With injuries to Los Dos starters like Adonis Amaya, Miguel Aguilar, Tyler Turner and Josh Turnley to start the season, LA Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz has been forced to turn to his Galaxy Academy youth.
Against the Monarchs, Muñoz debuted his second youngest starting lineup of the season – one that average 19.4 years of age. Galaxy Academy defenders Alex Juarez and Ian Lonergan have made four starts so far this season; both were part of the starting XI on Wednesday. So was 16-year-old forward Jorge Hernandez, who made his second start of the season. In total, five players from the Academy have made USL in the team’s first seven games, but Muñoz treats them all the same. They still have Wednesday’s loss to answer for.
“I need to see response, reaction,” Muñoz said on Wednesday, describing want he wanted from his team this Sunday. “It’s a quick turnaround so we don’t have time to dwell on this result. We’ll learn from it.”
The Galaxy’s recent string of results haven’t been the warmest professional soccer welcome for the academy youngsters, as the team is without a win in its five previous matches. In three away matches so far this season, Los Dos have yet to earn a point. They’ll be up against one of the Eastern Conference’s best sides, NYRBII, currently ranked 2nd in the USL’s Eastern Conference.
NOTES
LA Galaxy are 0-3-0 away from StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium this year, scoring zero goals while allowing ten.
The LA Galaxy II Starting XI vs. Real Monarchs SLC averaged just 19.4 years of age in their 3- 0 loss on Wednesday.
The Starting XI included three Galaxy Academy members: Alex Juarez, Ian Lonergan and Jorge Hernandez.
This is LA Galaxy II’s first-ever meeting with New York Red Bulls II.
Ethan Zubak leads the Galaxy with two goals on the season.
Former LA Galaxy II Head Coach Curt Onalfo was named LA Galaxy Head Coach on Dec. 13 ,2016. Mike Muñoz was named LA Galaxy II Head Coach on Jan. 12, 2017.
LA Galaxy II finished the 2016 USL Regular Season 12-7-11 (47 points).
LA Galaxy II led the Western Conference in goals in 2016 (52).
Next, LA Galaxy II are on the road against to face Rio Grande Valley F.C. Toros on Saturday, May 20 at 5:30 p.m. PT
