LA Galaxy II vs. Oakland Roots (July 25, 2021) - Match Preview

Friends--the Oakland Roots are going to play a soccer game.  It has been… more than two weeks.  The Roots will play at Los Angeles Galaxy II at 5:00 p.m. on July 25.  Galaxy II play at the track & field complex at Dignity Sports Sports Park.  The game will be broadcast apparently only on ESPN+ not on KOFY, in case that is relevant for any viewers.

The Team

You may recognize the name “LA Galaxy” because it is also the name of an MLS team that plays in the greater Los Angeles area.  This is not a coincidence!  Los Angeles Galaxy II were formed in 2014 as the in-house developmental program of Los Angeles Galaxy I, a team that has at various points employed David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Landon Fucking Donovan, Edson Buddle, and Gyasi Zardes.  Zardes actually played a game with Galaxy II!  That was an exclamation point, not “Galaxy III.”  To my knowledge, entropy has not yet necessitated the creation of a Los Tres.  

Galaxy II have not had a great deal of success, although potentially that is to be expected from a team that will be looted for talent at a moment’s notice.  Maybe more importantly, it looks like over the last several seasons, Galaxy II have fielded teams of overwhelmingly 20-23 year old players.  Galaxy’s top scorer in the 2020 season was Augustine Williams, who got called up to the bigs in early July and has not appeared for Galaxy II again since then.  Galaxy II finished 8-2-6 last season, and were knocked out by Reno in the first round of the playoffs (Jesús Enríquez was an unused sub for Reno in that game).

So far in 2021, Galaxy II are 3-4-7.  They have wins over LV Lights (a 5-0 thrashing), Real Monarchs, and Orange County SC.  One of Galaxy II’s losses is to the OAKLAND ROOTS--A TEAM THAT YOU MAY RECALL HAS WON A GAME (discussed in more detail below).  Galaxy II are winless since June 12, securing only two points over those seven games (a winless streak of only one more game than Oakland have played total).  Galaxy II have scored 2 and conceded 12 in five games since June 23, so it is not a surprise that Galaxy II sit seventh in the Pacific Division on 13 points.  One of these two teams is catching the other at the right time to right the ship--Let’s Go Roots!

Last Matchup Against the Roots

These teams met on May 23 in Carson.  LA took the lead in the 31st minute.  Axel Picazo tore down the field, starting in his own half, and put through Augustine Williams who could not beat Zeus, but Zeus’s parry fell to Picazo on the wrong side of Zeus, and Picazo buried it before Zeus could recover.  

In the 47, Yohannes Harish completely robbed an ill-advised cross-field pass, put through Danny Flores with a fast arcing cross, and Flores volleyed the ball on the run and past the Galaxy II keeper.  The entire exchange was completely irresistible, both as a viewer and apparently as a defender.

Galaxy II took the lead again in the 61st.  The goal was apparently credited as a Mbumba own goal, and while that might be accurate, it was not exactly fair.  Mbumba had to try to get a foot on the ball--a low cross in front of the goal from right at the touchline--and it was just bad luck that Mbumba’s deflection so completely wrong-footed Zeus, allowing the ball to scoot through the five-hole.  The Roots were not interested in losing this game, and tied it up again in the 76th.  Flores played the ball short to Enriquez about 35 yards directly in front of goal.  Enríquez played O’Connor Ward through on the left, and O’Connor Ward’s beautiful bending shot was saved by the keeper laying out completely to parry the ball away.  Roots had their chance to capitalize on a parry, and there was Memo Diaz charging in on the right to calmly slot in the Roots’ equalizer.

In the 91st, the Roots’ tight interplay on the attacking left paid dividends again:  O’Connor Ward on the left found Enríquez in the middle; Enríquez held off his man and put the ball through to Bokila rumbling through the middle; Bokila thundered the ball home from a tight angle to give the Roots the lead.  

Players to Watch

Jesús Vázquez # 35 - 26-year-old Mexican centerback Vázquez has captained every game for the Galaxy II so far this season, and has played very close to every minute of their season.  Vázquez came up through the UANL youth system, before signing with Atlante in 2019, and is in his second season on loan with the Galaxy II.  

Preston Judd #31 - 

Preston Judd is a legendary Christian patriarch, presbyter, and king.  Twelfth to seventeenth century stories told of a Nestorian king and patriarch, at times depicted as the descendent of the Three Magi.  Earlier stories placed Preston Judd in India, although Portuguese explorers later claimed evidence of Preston Judd in Ethiopia.

I am extremely committed to this bit, but Judd has 7 goals, including a hat trick in a 3-4 loss to Las Vegas Lights.  Judd is a native of Las Vegas (the eastern desert), and was drafted by LA Galaxy in April of 2021.  Judd is only 22, and we don’t think he is going to be in USL forever, but for now, Roots should expect to see him.  

Jorge Hernandez # 36 - 20-year-old Riverside-native Hernandez debuted for Los Dos at age 16 in the 2017 season, and has 68 appearances at the USL level.  Although he has only 11 goals to his name, 6 of those came this season (although mostly in the first half, when Galaxy II were getting better results).  Hernandez also has two assists.  Quite a season for the young midfielder.  

Predictions

FPR

Who is even going to be playing for the Roots on Sunday? Social media has shown pictures of 6-7 players practicing.  It is not clear, even if there was COVID exposure, that anyone would still be in quarantine from two weeks ago unless there were positive tests.  Photos from practice show Brandon Allen training, and I am ready to see that guy play.  I am sure he is anxious to get out there.  I think an away game will be good for the team--a return to normalcy.  Roots 2-0, what the hell.

RootsBlog

As Fred points out, lots of unknowns here. In addition to the unknown aftershocks of the positive covid test, we also have four signings who have yet to debut with the team, and two guys (Blackwood and Fissore) who may be returning from injury (knock on wood).

On the other hand, until I see otherwise, I’m predicting Roots stay in their established pattern. I hear what you’re saying: Last game wasn’t an 0-1 loss! True! I guess we’ve added a goal on each side. 1-1 draw, but I’ll guess this time it’s Oakland who are unable to capitalize on their late-game opportunities and Los Dos who are hanging on for dear life. Probably at least one opportunity goes to waste because of a dodgy offsides call. The match will be exciting enough to distract us all from the fact that the USMNT have surrendered two first half goals to Jamaica.