It’s official. Well technically Bruce Arena told us he was going to launch a Galaxy branded USLPro team right after the 2013 off season. But with the announcement today, the LA Galaxy have officially jumped ahead of every other developmental academy and every Major League Soccer competitor.
Developing talent that sometimes gets relegated to the reserve league is one of the league’s biggest challenges. By getting players, who are on the cusp of professional soccer, 28 games instead of 13 games (check me on that) in the reserve league is a vast improvement.
The Galaxy have named Assistant Coach Curt Onalfo to head the correctly named LA Galaxy II. Meaning that a former MLS head coach will be in charge of developing the USL talent into tangible players for the senior side. He’ll also still be an assistant coach with the Galaxy’s senior team giving a direct line for the USL players to Bruce Arena’s ear.
“The LA Galaxy are taking a monumental step for player development in North America” – Chris Klein, LA Galaxy President
Why does this matter? It’s simple math really. MLS rosters are limited to 30 players. And we all complain about depth on MLS teams. Can you blame a player who plays in the reserve league for not developing when he only gets seven home games? Basically you’re limiting the amount of time they get to play and you limit their development. Plus, with any youth development you are going to have successes and failures. In fact, most of the players you sign will be failures. Those are just the odds.
Now lets take that 30 man MLS roster and add a 20-25 man roster for the USL PRO team. Between the two teams you can have 55 players all playing for 11 starting positions on the weekend. That’s pretty awesome. And that’s why this will be such a huge advantage for the LA Galaxy as an organization.
If you’re looking for tickets and have a Season Ticket Package as part of a supporters group, you’re getting your tickets included. For the rest of us, season tickets to see LA Galaxy II play will start at $72.
All home games and training for the LA Galaxy II side will take place at StubHub Center in Carson, CA.
So who’s joining us at their first home game? We’ll see you there.