LA Galaxy II

LA Galaxy II
Nickname(s) Los Dos
Founded 2014
Stadium StubHub Center - Track Stadium
Carson, California
Capacity 2,000
Owner LA Galaxy (A.E.G.)
Manager Curt Onalfo
League USL
2014 Regular Season: 3rd
Playoffs: Semifinals
Website Club home page

LA Galaxy II is an American professional soccer team based in Carson, California, United States founded in 2014. It is the reserve team of the LA Galaxy. The team currently competes in the United Soccer League, the third tier of the United States soccer league system.[1]

Purpose

About forming the reserve team, Galaxy President Chris Klein said, “The creation of LA Galaxy II, through USL PRO, provides the Galaxy with a fully realized, in-house player development program starting with the Under-12 Academy through the LA Galaxy first team. The investment of AEG and the Galaxy for LA Galaxy II will allow us to continue to develop the best players in Southern California while closing the gap between the Galaxy Academy and the LA Galaxy.”[1]

History

It was announced on 29 January 2014 that the LA Galaxy of Major League Soccer would be fielding their own team in the USL Pro to serve as their reserve team beginning with the 2014 USL Pro season. The Galaxy chose to create their own team in the league instead of affiliating with a current USL Pro team after the two leagues formed a partnership the previous year. The current assistant coach of the senior squad, Curt Onalfo, would become head coach of the reserve squad. The club would play its home matches at the StubHub Center's Track & Field Stadium, a 1,200-seat stadium near the main stadium, home to the senior club.[1] Onalfo had led the Galaxy's previous reserve squad to two consecutive MLS Reserve League West Division titles.[2] In the process, the LA Galaxy became the first MLS club to own and operate its own USL Pro side.[2]

2014 Season

The club's first match took place on February 13, 2014 as they defeated Fresno Fuego of the USL Premier Development League 2-1. Travis Bowen scored the teams first-ever goal.[3] The team made its USL Pro debut on March 22, 2014, defeating the league's other LA club, the Orange County Blues FC, 3-1 at home. Charlie Rugg scored their first goal in USL Pro competition.[4][5] In the regular season, the Galaxy II earned third place in the league's standings, having a 15-6-7 (W-L-T) record, qualifying for the playoffs. The Galaxy II had faced against the Rochester Rhinos during the quarter finals, who they defeated and advance to face Sacramento Republic FC in the semifinals.The Galaxy II were defeated against Sacramento Republic therefore being eliminated, and ending their inaugural season.

Players and staff

The squad of LA Galaxy II will be composed of an unrestricted number of first-team players on loan to the reserve team, players signed by Galaxy II, and LA Galaxy Academy players. Academy players who appear in matches with LA Galaxy II will retain their college eligibility.[1]

Current roster

Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Squad correct as of March 30, 2015.

No. Position Player Nation
41 Goalkeeper Diop, ClémentClément Diop      France
75 Goalkeeper Lopez, EricEric Lopez      United States
64 Goalkeeper Shackelford, NicholasNicholas Shackelford      United States
55 Defender Bli, JasonJason Bli      France
53 Defender Diallo, BradleyBradley Diallo      France
66 Defender Franco, JoeJoe Franco      United States
67 Defender Romney, DavidDavid Romney      United States
72 Defender Nishanian, LeeLee Nishanian      United States
44 Defender Steres, DanielDaniel Steres      United States
63 Midfielder Auras, AndréAndré Auras      France
57 Midfielder Covarrubias, AlejandroAlejandro Covarrubias      United States
48 Midfielder Fujii, RyoRyo Fujii      Japan
59 Midfielder Martin, ElijahElijah Martin      United States
65 Midfielder Villarreal, JaimeJaime Villarreal      United States
73 Forward Amaya, AdonisAdonis Amaya      United States
58 Forward Bailey, KainoaKainoa Bailey      United States
50 Forward Bowen, TravisTravis Bowen      United States
46 Forward Lassiter, ArielAriel Lassiter      United States

Coaching staff

Role Name Nation
Head Coach Onalfo, CurtCurt Onalfo  United States
Assistant Coach Becerra, RobRob Becerra  United States
Goalkeeper Coach Gonzalez, DanielDaniel Gonzalez  Argentina
Strength and Conditioning Coach Rodriguez, CrisCris Rodriguez  United States
Athletic Trainer Tajima, AkiAki Tajima  United States

Record

Year-by-year

Year Division League Regular Season Playoffs U.S. Open Cup Avg. Attendance
2014 3 USL 3rd Semifinals Fifth Round 597

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "LA Galaxy Place Team in USL PRO". USL Pro. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "LA Galaxy announce they will form their own USL PRO franchise named LA Galaxy II". Major League Soccer. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
  3. ↑ "LA Galaxy II victorious in first ever match with a 2-1 win over Fresno Fuego". LA Galaxy. February 13, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  4. ↑ "LA Galaxy II announce USL PRO schedule". LA Galaxy. Retrieved January 30, 2014.
  5. ↑ "LA Galaxy II win inaugural match over Orange County Blues 3-1". LA Galaxy. March 22, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2014.

External links