CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy II entered their second USL campaign in 2015 with a young, optimistic team hoping to build on a successful debut season. But as they now approach the postseason, Los Dos are confident that they are on the cusp of even greater accomplishments.
After a few rocky moments at the start of the season, Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo’s squad rebounded and rose up the USL standings to clinch their second consecutive berth in the postseason. Los Dos still hold faint aspirations of finishing first in the overall regular season standings with 42 points and just two games remaining.
“We had a rocky start, but now toward the end of the season, we’ve come together. The most important thing is that as we close the season that close out the season with wins,” said forward Ari Lassiter said. “We have a good chemistry as a team, and having that motivation to win and lock down home-field advantage is so important for us.”
Lassiter is one of the campaign’s greatest successes with a team-leading 10 goals in 19 appearances. His good form for Los Dos not only led to his call up Costa Rica’s Olympic Qualifying squad but also several appearances with the Galaxy first team during the club's packed summer schedule.
As promising as Lassiter may be, no Galaxy II player has flourished quite like defender Dave Romney.
A year removed from playing for the University of San Francisco and amateur club San Francisco City FC, the 22-year-old defender became the first player to sign with the first team from Los Dos in August. Whether playing at left back or in central defense, Romney has excelled in his three appearances—including two starts— for LA’s first team and has been a steady presence along the back four.
According to Romney, his success with first team is owed to his 17 appearances with Galaxy II.
“It was just a matter of getting myself in a good system and then getting consistent time. Galaxy II was crucial to my development,” Romney said. “If I had gone to an MLS roster right out of college then I might not have been as confident or ready. I used those months with Galaxy II to build up my confidence and build up the trust in my coaches, which was easier than simply jumping into an MLS roster.”
The success that Romney and Lassiter have enjoyed in their time with Galaxy II is a major source of pride for Onalfo, who affirms that the program is working.
“It’s the process. We’re trying to push the bar and get these guys to play quicker and think quicker,” said Onalfo. “We want these guys to get as close to the first team as possible, so that the jump is less of an issue. This shows that when you have a good opportunity and you create a good environment that works, players can push up to the first team.”
As the Galaxy’s player-development model continues to thrive, Los Dos are eyeing success on the field and a first-ever USL title.
“We got one thing on our mind and that’s winning a USL championship,” defender Daniel Steres said. “We won’t be happy unless we can do that, but we have to take it one game at a time.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
