Entering Week 24 of the 2021 USL Championship campaign, LA Galaxy II play host to Phoenix Rising FC at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. PT live on ESPN+.
This year, Los Dos are 8-11-5 (26 points), with 42 goals scored and 46 conceded for a -4 goal differential. In their most recent match, Galaxy II earned a 2-0 shutout road win over Sacramento Republic FC at Heart Health Park on Sept. 26. Jalen Neal and Cameron Dunbar each tallied their first goal of the 2021 campaign, while goalkeeper Justin vom Steeg notched four saves and posted his fifth shutout of the season.
The win over Sacramento marked Los Dos’ second consecutive league win, dating back to a 1-0 road win over Oakland Roots SC on Sept. 18. The win moved LA Galaxy II into sixth place in the Pacific Division, just one point behind fourth place Oakland Roots (8-11-6, 30 points).
During the 2021 campaign, Preston Judd has tallied 11 goals in the USL Championship, the most of any Galaxy II player and tied for ninth in the league. Additionally, Jorge Hernández ranks second on LA with nine goals scored, including leading the league with 63 chances created. Goalkeeper Justin vom Steeg leads the team with five shutouts and 44 saves in 16 games played in 2021. Josh Drack ranks tied for 12th in the USL Championship with six assists.
Saturday’s contest marks the fourth meeting between the two clubs this season, with Phoenix holding a 3-0-0 record against LA in three regular-season matches played.
In 2020, Los Dos finished the regular season 8-6-2 with 26 points (4-3-1 at home and 4-3-1 on the road), earning them second place in Group B standings and clinching a berth in the USL Championship Playoffs for the second-straight season.
Head Coach Junior Gonzalez holds a 22-23-10 record throughout his head coaching tenure with LA Galaxy II and has led the team to two-consecutive playoff appearances. In the seven years of USL Championship competition, Los Dos have qualified for playoffs five times, in addition to a USL Western Conference Championship in 2015.
LA Galaxy II compete in the USL Championship Western Conference Pacific Division for the 2021 campaign alongside the following clubs: Las Vegas Lights FC, Oakland Roots SC, Orange County SC, Phoenix Rising FC, Sacramento Republic FC, San Diego Loyal SC and Tacoma Defiance.
LAST MATCHUP:
LA Galaxy II 3, Phoenix Rising FC 4 – Sept. 11, 2021
