LA Galaxy II vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
Weidner Field
March 17, 2018
2018 USL Regular Season
5:00 p.m. PT
STREAM: LAGalaxy.com/2
LA Galaxy II (0-0-0, 0 points) are set to begin their fifth season in USL, as they kick off the 2018 USL Regular Season on Saturday, March 17 against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (0-0-0, 0 points) at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colo. (5 p.m. PT, streamed live on LAGalaxy.com/2).
Los Dos are set to return to action after suffering their only losing season in club history in 2017, a year that followed three straight seasons of playoff appearances for the team. But after a roster refresh this offseason, the new-look Los Dos are eager to return to USL Western Conference prominence.
In the two weeks leading up to the season opener, Los Dos made several additions to strengthen the side, signing former Liga MX and MLS players Geoffrey Acheampong (Veracruz), John Requejo (Club Tijuana) and Julian Büscher (D.C. United). The team also added defender Nate Shultz, LA Galaxy’s 2018 MLS SuperDraft selection, Cuban Youth National Team standout forward Frank Lopez, and two players from other USL sides: goalkeeper Wade Hamilton (Portland Timbers 2) and midfielder Emmanuel Appiah (Saint Louis FC).
Key returnees for Los Dos include LA Galaxy Academy graduate Ethan Zubak as well midfielder Miguel Aguilar, who was sidelined for the 2017 season with an MCL injury. LA Galaxy Academy products and 2017 goal-scoring co-leaders Justin Dhillon and Adrian Vera return for the 2018 season. Vera and goalkeeper Eric Lopez, also a former LA Galaxy Academy member, will be playing their fourth season with Los Dos in 2018.
All the pieces will come together when Los Dos head to Colorado Springs this weekend, a place the team took three points from in 2017. With both teams missing playoffs last season, Galaxy II and Switchbacks FC are keen to make the perfect start in the race for the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs.
2017 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 8-19-5, 29 points
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: 12-12-8, 44 points
LAST YEAR
LA Galaxy II 1, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 2 (StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium) – June 10, 2017
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 1, LA Galaxy II 2 (Weidner Field) – August 18, 2017
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz for his second season in charge of Los Dos.
- Los Dos signed seven new players this offseason: Geoffrey Acheampong, Nate Shultz, Emmanuel Appiah, John Requejo, Frank Lopez, Wade Hamilton and Julian Büscher.
- 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 will travel to face Fresno FC on Saturday, March 24 at 7 p.m. PT (streamed live on LAGalaxy.com/2).
