CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy II and Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 both enter the new season with new head coaches as they look to begin to path to a return trip to the USL Cup Playoffs on Saturday afternoon at StubHub Center Track and Field Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT.
Matchcenter: http://bit.ly/2odoUNg | Tickets: http://bit.ly/2oauoIz
LA Galaxy II news and notes
Current record: 0-0-0, 0pts
The LA Galaxy II made a third consecutive trip to the USL Cup Playoffs in 2016, but welcome a number of new faces this season after seeing the likes of team leaders Jack McBean move into the Galaxy’s MLS squad.
At the forefront of the changes is that on the sideline, with Mike Munoz becoming the second Head Coach in Galaxy II history after Curt Onalfo was appointed as the Galaxy’s Head Coach this offseason.
Los Dos may be young, but its squad includes a number of players with good USL and international experience, with 2016 USL 20 Under 20 selections Ryo Fujii and Tyler Turner – an offseason addition from Orlando City SC – among their ranks.
The Galaxy II will also have two bright attackers looking to build on positive 2016 seasons, with Adonis Amaya (4G, 5A) and U.S. U19 international Ethan Zubak both players to watch.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 news and notes
Current record: 0-0-0, 0pts
Vancouver Whitecaps FC reached the USL Cup Playoffs for the first time in 2016, and advanced all the way to the Western Conference Final before falling to the Swope Park Rangers.
WFC2 also has a new Head Coach, with Rich Fagan taking over after a strong stint with the club’s Academy program to replace Alan Koch, who joined FC Cincinnati.
Vancouver will be without one of its key players on Saturday with Kadin Chung on international duty with the Canada U23 National Team in Qatar.
WFC2 will also be without defender Deklan Wynne, who is also in international duty with New Zealand for a pair of World Cup Qualifying games against Fiji.
Series Notes
Squads
LA - GK: Jon Kempin, Bennett Sneddon, Eric Lopez; D: Ateno Ajeakwa, Hugo Arellano, Jake Arteaga, Kelee Cornfield-Saunders, Jean Engola, Alex Juarez, Ian Lonergan, Tyler Turner, Josh Turnley; M: Miguel Aguilar, Ryo Fujii, Jorge Hernandez, Baggio Husidic, Bradford Jamieson IV, Adrian Vera, Jaime Villarreal; F: Adonis Amaya, Justin Dhillon, Ariel Lassiter, Patrick Murphy, Ethan Zubak, Andre Zanga
Vancouver - GK: Spencer Richey, Sean Melvin, Mark Village; D: Jacob Nerwinski, Kadin Chung, Deklan Wynne, Christian Dean, Cole Seiler, Sem de Wit, Francis de Vries, Dominick Zator; M: Deybi Flores, Ben McKendry, Thomas Gardner, David Norman Jr., William Seymore, Matthew Baldisimo; F: Kyle Greig, Terran Campbell, Thomas Sanner, Gloire Amanda, Andrew Thoma
Discipline
LA – Suspended: Jose Villarreal, Robert Castellanos
Vancouver – None
Officials
REF: ALEJANDRO MARISCAL
AR1: Eduardo Mariscal
AR2: Alexander Luttman
4TH: Ceciah Valero
Game hashtag:
#LAvVAN
Twitter social handles
LA Galaxy II – @LAGalaxyII
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 – @WFC2
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