The LA Galaxy will open up their 2016 U.S. Open Cup campaign on Tuesday when they host amateur side La Máquina FC of Santa Ana at StubHub Center.
The Galaxy may be heavy favorites against the amateur squad, but admittedly know little about their fourth round opponent.
“We don’t know a whole lot about this team. The objective is to win the game,” Galaxy boss Bruce Arena told LA Galaxy Insider on Monday. “Pure and simple, if we play well then we should win the game.”
Just what do we know about La Maquina?
The Santa Ana-based club from the United Premier Soccer League reached the fourth round of the tournament after defeating fellow UPSL side Los Angeles Wolves FC. La Máquina also beat Portland Timbers U-23s and Sacramento Gold earlier in the tournament.
Leading the way for La Maquina will be striker Edwin Barboa. The 33-year-old brings extensive professional experience to the side with stops at Chivas de Guadalajara, Pachuca, Atlante, Leon, Lobos BUAP, U de G, Dorados de Sinaloa, and Indios de Ciudad Juarez. Barboa has been integral to the team’s qualification with four goals in the competition.
