You could be forgiven for believing the LA Galaxy academy system has problems, but experts regard the youth academy as one of the best in the country. The system is loaded with talent: Efrain Alvarez is the real deal and the likes of Ulysses Llanez and Alex Mendez aren’t far behind.
The issue is how that talent is cultivated. Promising youngsters need first-team minutes. Without a philosophy, an ethos, any kind of system in place to give up and coming talent playing time and progress their development, what’s the point of pouring millions into an academy?
The Galaxy are behind the curve. Should the US qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, there’s an excellent chance the starting lineup will feature two Red Bull academy products in Tyler Adams and Matt Miazga. Vancouver wunderkidAlphonso Davies was sold to Bayern Munich for a number that could reach $20 million.
In comparison the Galaxy have yet to develop a single Homegrown Player of real quality, a stunning setback given LA’s background as a youth soccer hotbed, the money spent and the resources available.
Bradford Jamieson’s minutes through five seasons paint a bleak picture
In the MLS 3.0 era, you can’t neglect to build an academy-USL-MLS pipeline and expect to succeed.
It goes without saying the fans are frustrated. With LAFC pulling out all the stops to establish themselves as the top soccer team in Los Angeles, a growing discontent has simmered among Galaxy die-hards who perceive the organization has not done enough to battle their new rival on and off the field.
https://www.lagconfidential.com/platform/amp/2018/9/20/17844138/chris-klein-is-out-of-bullets
The issue is how that talent is cultivated. Promising youngsters need first-team minutes. Without a philosophy, an ethos, any kind of system in place to give up and coming talent playing time and progress their development, what’s the point of pouring millions into an academy?
The Galaxy are behind the curve. Should the US qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, there’s an excellent chance the starting lineup will feature two Red Bull academy products in Tyler Adams and Matt Miazga. Vancouver wunderkidAlphonso Davies was sold to Bayern Munich for a number that could reach $20 million.
In comparison the Galaxy have yet to develop a single Homegrown Player of real quality, a stunning setback given LA’s background as a youth soccer hotbed, the money spent and the resources available.
Bradford Jamieson’s minutes through five seasons paint a bleak picture
In the MLS 3.0 era, you can’t neglect to build an academy-USL-MLS pipeline and expect to succeed.
It goes without saying the fans are frustrated. With LAFC pulling out all the stops to establish themselves as the top soccer team in Los Angeles, a growing discontent has simmered among Galaxy die-hards who perceive the organization has not done enough to battle their new rival on and off the field.
https://www.lagconfidential.com/platform/amp/2018/9/20/17844138/chris-klein-is-out-of-bullets