Sounders 2 vs. LA Galaxy II: Two Questions

Last year the LA Galaxy were the only MLS side to have a "2" sitting down in USL. They created a squad that won plenty of matches and that fans didn't watch. Things are a bit different in their year two. Still potent on the field (19 points in 11 games played) their attendance nearly doubled, to just over 900 fans a game. Former Sounder Daniel Steres leads a defense that is among the best in USL.

You can watch tonight's 7:30 PM match at Starfire Sports or on YouTube.

Sean from LAG Confidential answers two questions about LA Galaxy II prior to their game against Seattle Sounders 2 (20 points in 12 played).

SaH: Los Dos are the poster child for the MLS owned USL sides. What has changed in year two?

LAGC: 3 words. Two dollar tacos. People go crazy for them at home games. The night it was introduced, I got in line at halftime and didn't get my food until after the game.

Other than that, the team has started to integrate more with the academy. They have guys like Ryo Fujii and Adonis Amaya who the Galaxy are essentially saving from college soccer lag by giving them USL contracts while paying for their education at Cal State Dominguez Hills. This way they can both pursue their pro dream and get an education. It's sort of a trial run for this program, but it seems like an interesting way to get around what continues to be a huge impediment in our pyramid of player development-- college soccer.

But mostly it's been all about the tacos.

SaH: Who is the next Bradford Jamieson IV?

LAGC: The current Bradford Jamieson is Bradford Jamieson the IV. If I know my roman numerals, that makes the next Bradford Jamieson, Bradford Jamieson V.

In terms of who will emerge next on this current Los dos, I think it will be one of two players. The obvious answer is Raul Mendiola, but he was actually Bradford Jamieson IV before Bradford was. He was making the Galaxy bench on a consistant basis last year early in the season and even had sub minutes against Houston and nearly scored. For whatever reason, we stopped seeing Mendiola make the bench and Bradford came along and took his place. Mendiola has been tearing it up at the USL PRO level ever since. Considering his performance against Houston and the timing of his benching (from the bench), there may very well be more to this story which makes predicting his prospects with the first team rough, but based on talent alone, he deserves a look eventually. He'll almost certainly play in the Galaxy's US Open Cup game as they held him from the Galaxy 2's open cup game against Ventura County Fusion so that he wouldn't be cup tied.

My next pick would be Ariel Lassiter. As you would expect from the son of Roy Lassiter, this kid reads the game incredibly well from the forward position and also happens to be quite speedy. Helping his first team case, he's also pretty dynamic on the wing. I think versatility goes a long way in the eyes of Bruce which is why I can definetly see him making the first team in the near future.

In my humble opinion, both of these guys have the skills to be effective impact subs.

S2 will still be have a lineup hampered by 1st team needs since Evans will be returning from National Team duty and Pappa will be heading out. Still the 18 should be stronger than the one that couldn't hold serve at Starfire when Tulsa came to town.