HOUSTON – The LA Galaxy will make history during Saturday’s clash with the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium.
For the first time since its inception a year ago, contracted players from USL affiliate LA Galaxy II will be available for selection for the club’s first team. First year Los Dos defender David Romney and Galaxy II leading goal scorer Ariel Lassiter have been loaned up for Saturday’s match, and will each play a major role in Houston.
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Romney will start at left back for the Galaxy against Houston while Lassiter will be available off the bench on Saturday. Joining the duo in the squad is Bradford Jamieson IV, a Galaxy Homegrown product, who has earned considerable minutes in Los Dos’ two years of existence.
The 22-year-old Romney is coming off two impressive International Champions Cup showings against Club America and FC Barcelona while Lassiter impressed in his first appearance for the Galaxy first team against Barcelona on Tuesday. However, it hasn’t just been their performances in friendlies that have caught Bruce Arena’s attention, but their stellar play during Los Dos’ 2015 USL campaign.
Romney’s career has skyrocketed since joining Galaxy II this offseason. A four-year starter at the University of San Francisco, Romney joined Los Dos after playing briefly for San Francisco City FC, an amateur club that competes in US Club Soccer’s NorCal Premier Soccer League. The 22-year-old’s presence in the back line was integral to the club’s qualification for the 2015 U.S. Open Cup.
Romney has been a rock for Galaxy II, filling in on the outside and at center back. To date, the former San Francisco Don has made 16 appearances while tallying one assist.
Meanwhile, Lassiter arrived at StubHub Center from Swedish side GAIS where he played one season after a brief stint at Cal Poly. The son of former MLS scoring king Roy Lassiter, the 20-year-old has shined for Galaxy II this season with nine goals and one assist in 15 appearances for Los Dos. Lassiter’s goal tally is the fourth highest in USL at the moment.
A talented striker with speed and a nose for goal, Lassiter’s play has earned him call-ups for the youth set-ups for both his native Costa Rica and the United States in recent months.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
