LA Galaxy II (7-18-5, 26 points) return to Los Angeles after a four-game stretch on the road this weekend, when they take on Portland Timbers 2 (3-20-6, 15 points) at 7:30 p.m. PT on Saturday, Oct. 7 at StubHub Track & Field Stadium (streamed live and for free on LAGalaxy.com/2).
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Los Dos played three games in eight days’ time last week, as they traveled from Tulsa to Kansas City and back to Oklahoma City, in their final multi-game road swing of the season. In town this weekend, the team will host Fan Appreciation Night and their 2017 USL Regular Season home finale, hoping to put in one good, final performance in SoCal this season.
They’ll get the chance to do so against Portland Timbers 2, a team they defeated earlier this season while away from Los Angeles, in a 4-3 thriller win back on July 9 in Portland. The Galaxy earned the three points in that match with Adrian Vera notching a brace in four minutes of play while Justin Dhillon added another in the second half to capitalize on Tyler Turner’s first half penalty take.
All season, the youth has featured heavily for Los Dos - evident again in the team’s recent four-game run. The organization’s youngest prospects were front and center again in their last outing, as five current LA Galaxy Academy players saw time on the field in the team’s 3-0 loss to Oklahoma City. That starting lineup averaged an age of 19.27. With LA Galaxy on international break, that could affect lineup choices for LA Galaxy II Head Coach Mike Muñoz and his staff.
Muñoz will be looking to end things in Los Angeles on a positive note come Saturday, with only a 3-8-4 record registered on home turf this season. The team has shown better in their most recent home outings though, recording a 2-2-3 record in their last seven games in Carson. Aiding in those improved home results has been the team’s defensive effort, cutting back to 1.14 goals allowed across those seven matches, compared to the team’s 2.36 GAA otherwise.
But they’ll have to turn things arounds offensively, as Los Dos have been held to just one goal in their last four games. The team’s top targets up front – Zubak, Dhillon and occasional appearances from Ariel Lassiter – have shown streaky flashes of brilliance in pockets of the season. They’ll be keen to leave fans on Saturday with positive feelings for next season.
Portland is looking to build on its third win of the season this past Saturday, as it defeated Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 thanks to Victor Arboleda’s goal.
After Saturday, LA Galaxy II will end their season in Salt Lake City at 6 p.m. PT on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium against Real Monarchs SLC.
NOTES
- In their last match, LA Galaxy II fell 3-0 to Oklahoma City Energy FC on Sunday, Oct. 1.
- LA Galaxy II are 3-8-4 at home this season.
- The Galaxy are looking for their 50th win in franchise history.
- Los Dos have recorded a 1.14 GAA in their last seven home games.
- Justin Dhillon (6) and Adrian Vera (5) lead the team in goals this season. They’ve both scored three away goals this season.
- Ethan Zubak leads the team with 3 assists.
- After Saturday, LA Galaxy II will end their season in Salt Lake City at 6 p.m. PT on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Rio Tinto Stadium against Real Monarchs SLC.
