After 13 days of rest, LA Galaxy II (0-4-3, 3 points) return to action when they travel to face Phoenix Rising FC at 7:30 p.m. PT on Friday, May 4 at Phoenix Rising FC Soccer Complex in Tempe, Ariz. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Los Dos will attempt to turn their season around on Friday, looking for revenge against a Phoenix side they lost to earlier this season. On April 11, a game-winner from Didier Drogba at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium gave Rising FC all three points. This season, the Galaxy are 0-3-1 on the road. Phoenix are 1-1-2 at home on the season with draws in each of their last two matches in Phoenix.
In LA Galaxy II’s most recent contest, Los Dos drew 1-1 with New York Red Bulls II at StubHub Center. LA Galaxy Academy’s Ulysses Llanez scored his first professional goal in the contest. Los Dos were closest to their first win of the 2018 season in this outing, but were undone in the 78th minute on a quick counter from Red Bulls.
Most encouraging for Los Dos have been the team’s defensive performances. LA Galaxy II have conceded one or less goals in five of their last six outings. Red Bulls were one of the USL’s highest scoring teams headed into last week’s contest. Los Dos are only missing the connection offensively, with two goals in their first seven matches. It’s the last piece of the puzzle, but the return of Efrain Alvarez and the rising profile of Llanez could be enough to flip the script.
LAST MATCH
LA Galaxy II 1 | New York Red Bulls II 1:Los Dos were the closest to their first win of the season in this match, with a 1-0 lead in the 75th minute. But Galaxy II were undone with a quick counter from New York in the 78th minute.
Phoenix Rising FC 1 | Fresno FC1: Rising FC earned one point in consecutive matches at home and were saved this time by a goal from Alessandro Riggi in the 90th minute.
THIS YEAR
LA Galaxy II 0 | Phoenix Rising FC 1 – April 11, 2018 | StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium
LAST YEAR
Phoenix Rising FC 2, LA Galaxy II 1 | April 22, 2017 at Phoenix Rising Soccer Complex
LA Galaxy II 1, Phoenix Rising FC 2 | May 27, 2017 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium
LA Galaxy II 0, Phoenix Rising FC 2 | Aug. 2, 2017 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium
2017 RECORD
LA Galaxy II: 8-19-5, 29 points
Phoenix Rising FC: 17-8-7, 58 points
GAME NOTES
- LA Galaxy II have conceded one or fewer goals in five of their last six matches.
- 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 Academy’s Ulysses Llanez scored his first professional goal in Los Dos’ last match. He has appeared in four consecutive matches for Los Dos.
- 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 Saint Louis FC at 7:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, May 9 at StubHub Center Track & Field Stadium. Tickets to that match are on sale now, available here.
