The Galaxy’s quest for a third Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup begins on Tuesday night when they host USSF Division 2 Pro League side AC St. Louis. Currently in their inaugural season, St. Louis is currently in last place of the NASL Division of the D2 Pro League with a 2-7-2 record so far this season.
However, AC looks to be starting to turn their season around as they are unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, going 1-0-1 in their last two league games and winning a pair of Open Cup matches to set up Tuesday’s showdown with the Galaxy.
Here is some more information about tomorrow’s opponent, AC St. Louis
Head Coach:
Dale Schilly
Named the club’s head coach on Thursday, June 24, Schilly replaced Claude Anelka just two days after the club’s Open Cup Second Round win over Minnesota. He made his debut on the bench in the 0-0 home draw with Vancouver on Saturday.
He joined AC St. Louis after a successful career in youth soccer, coaching Metro United (now St. Louis Scott Gallagher Illinois) for the past 15 years. Schilly has 14 years of experience as a head coach with the Region II Olympic Development program, and has over 25 years of coaching experience at the youth and collegiate levels. This is his first head coaching role with a professional team.
Key Players
#1 Alec Dufty – Goalkeeper
AC St. Louis’ #1 goalkeeper, Dufty has started all 11 of the club’s league games as well as both Open Cup games. He enters Tuesday’s game with a 1.55 goals against average in league play, but has not allowed a goal in his last four appearances dating back to May 29. A member of the New York Red Bulls last season, he made his MLS debut in a 0-0 draw at Houston, replacing the injured Danny Cepero after just eight minutes. He did not allow a goal in 82 minutes on the field, making two saves to earn the draw. However, he was released a few days later as Jon Conway returned from a suspension.
#5 Jack Traynor – Defender
The AC St. Louis captain, Traynor has made 11 appearances for the club this season. A left back during his four years at Notre Dame, Traynor has been used primarily in central defense during his time with St. Louis. Drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the Second Round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Traynor did not sign with the club and spent the 2009 season with Miami FC before signing with St. Louis prior to the start of this season. A Missouri-native, Traynor appeared in 86 games during his college career, helping Notre Dame reach the NCAA Tournament in each of his four seasons with the club.
#15 Mike Ambersley – Forward
The club’s leading scorer with two goals and an assist in the regular season, Ambersley has scored in each of his club’s previous Open Cup games against Des Moines and Minnesota. Often utilized as the lone striker, Ambersley win the College Cup at Indiana in 2004, scoring the Cup winning penalty against UC Santa Barbara in the College Cup Final. He was drafted by FC Dallas in the Fourth Round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft but never played a game for the club. He spent three years with Rochester of the USL First Division, before joining AC St. Louis prior to the start of this season.
Last Game
Saturday, June 26, 2010
AC St. Louis 0
Vancouver Whitecaps 0
at Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in St. Louis, Mo.
AC St. Louis Lineup
Alec Dufty; Tim Velten, Mark Bloom, Dillon Barna, Jack Traynor; Troy Cole
(Elvir Kafedzic 81'), Luke Kreamalmeyer, Gauchinho; Brad Stisser (Chris
Salvaggione 62'), Jeff Cosgriff (Ryan Moore 75'); Mike Ambersley
Road to the Open Cup
Third Round
Open Cup First Round
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
AC St. Louis 1 – Ambersley 70’
Des Moines Menace (PDL) 0
at Valley Stadium in Des Moines, Iowa
AC St. Louis Lineup
Alec Dufty; Jack Traynor (John Lesko 3’), Christian Nzinga, Tim Velten; Troy Cole, Gauchino, Luke Kreamalmeyer (Chris Salvaggione 65’), Mark Bloom; Brad Stisser, Jeff Cosgriff (Mike Ambersley 46’), Alex Titton.
Open Cup Second Round
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
AC St. Louis 1 – Ambersley 35’
NSC Minnesota Stars (USSF D2) 0
at National Sports Complex in Blaine, Minn.
AC St. Louis Lineup
Alec Dufty; Mark Bloom, Jack Traynor (Ryan Moore 46’), Christian Nzinga, Tim Velten; Dillon Barna (Jeff Cosgriff 60’), Troy Cole, Gauchino (Elvir Kafedzic 72’), Luke Kreamalmeyer; Brad Stisser, Mike Ambersley.
