CARSON, Calif. – No player was more effective during the entirety of the 2014 USL PRO campaign for LA Galaxy II than midfielder Andre Auras.
Deadly on set piece delivery and effective on both sides of the ball in the midfield, Auras was one of Los Dos’ brightest stars as he helped lead Galaxy II to the USL PRO semifinals. But now heading into 2015, Auras is hoping to have a similar impact—just this time with the Galaxy’s first team.
Auras is currently in preseason with the Galaxy with an eye to earning a deal with the club after turning down the advances of Toronto FC who also attempted to bring in the Senegalese-born French midfielder. Despite TFC’s push, Auras says his decision was made for him when Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena extended an invitation to join the reigning MLS Cup champions for preseason.
“The Galaxy is the best team in MLS and the head coach wanted me here for preseason so I decided to come. Now I’m here with the Galaxy and I want to make the most of this big opportunity,” Auras told LAGalaxy.com. “I want to stay with the first team and fight for my spot here. This could mean very important things for me and I believe that if I play my game that everything will be fine.”
Prior to joining up with the first team, Auras spoke to Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo who told his star midfielder to come in fit, which is certainly a lesson that he took to heart. Auras has appeared in all three of the Galaxy’s preseason matches and scored two second-half goals during the team’s 6-1 thumping of Cal State Fullerton in a closed-door scrimmage last week.
Against Fullerton, Auras showcased the industry and skill that made him a USL PRO Best XI selection a year ago and successfully rebounded from a frustrating showing days earlier that saw him sent off just minutes after coming on during a scrimmage against Ventura County Fusion.
“I’m very happy that I could score. The team really helped me and fed me those opportunities,” Auras said of his two goals. “I think that it’s getting easier and easier for me to play my game here because I’ve been here for a year and this team has confidence in me.”
After a strong showing marshaling the midfield with the club’s second squad during the victory, Arena was quick to offer praise for Auras’ showing throughout the two-week period.
“He’s a good player and has had a good training camp and obviously had a good year with Galaxy II last year,” Arena told reporters.
The work for Auras has only just begun as he looks to carve out a place in a midfield that includes the likes of Juninho and Baggio Husidic as well as his 2014 Galaxy II teammates Rafael Garcia and Kenney Walker all fighting for minutes. Auras is not deterred however as the Frenchman believes that he can lock down a spot with the Galaxy in the coming weeks.
“It’s a big opportunity for me and I’m going to have to grab it so that I can stay with this team and sign a contract,” he said. “I need to give my best to the team and show to the coaches what I can do and what I can give. I’m pretty confident that I can do that.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
