CARSON, Calif. (Wednesday, June 22, 2016) – The LA Galaxy have signed forward Jack McBean as an MLS Homegrown Player from LA Galaxy II (USL), the club announced today. McBean, who was named the 2015 LA Galaxy II Most Valuable Player, leads USL in goals this season with 12.
“Jack has continued to develop on the field as a member of LA Galaxy II,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “He is still a young, talented player that we think will contribute to our team as he continues to grow. His signing is another testament to the benefit and success of LA Galaxy II.”
McBean originally signed with the LA Galaxy in 2011 as a Homegrown Player. In MLS, McBean made 17 overall appearances with two goals and two assists. At age 16, McBean became the youngest player in LA Galaxy history to play in a game, start a game and score a goal. In his first ever appearance – a match on the road against Houston on Oct. 23, 2011 – McBean scored a goal while playing the entire match.
In 2015, McBean signed a USL contract with LA Galaxy II, where he excelled in two seasons with Los Dos. Last year, the LA Galaxy II MVP led an LA Galaxy II offensive attack that registered 39 total goals over the regular season, scoring six goals and adding five assists in regular season play. McBean also recorded an assist in USL postseason play, helping lead Los Dos to capturing its first-ever USL Western Conference Championship and first ever USL Championship appearance. His three-game winning goals were tied for the most for the Galaxy that year.
McBean has followed up an impressive 2015 with an even stronger start to the 2016 USL Regular Season, scoring 12 times in just 14 appearances to lead USL in goals.
Prior to his time as a professional, McBean was a standout as a part of the LA Galaxy Academy. Officially joining the Galaxy program in 2010 at the age of 15, he immediately helped make the Galaxy U-16 squad one of the best in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. He scored nine goals in his 10 games with the club, including a hat trick against South Carolina United FC at the annual Winter Showcase in Arizona. While at the Showcase, McBean also played in one of the Academy Select games, which brings a number of the nation’s top young players together on the same field. In that game, McBean scored just five minutes after entering the match, leading his team to a 2-1 win.
With his signing, McBean joins Gyasi Zardes, Jose Villarreal, Raul Mendiola, Oscar Sorto and Bradford Jamieson IV as LA Galaxy Homegrown Players.
