LOS ANGELES – Efrain Alvarez officially opened his account with the LA Galaxy on Wednesday night as the 16-year-old led his team into the fifth round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Alvarez scored a brace and tallied his first goal for the Galaxy first team in brilliant fashion as Los Angeles defeated amateur side Orange County FC, 3-0 on Wednesday at the Dignity Health Sports Park Track and Field Stadium.
After scoring his first goals for the Galaxy’s senior team, the teenager was understandably emotional.
"This was my best moment here at the LA Galaxy," Alvarez said. "I can't explain how happy I am to get the first goal, but I’m happier that we qualified for the next round.”
The 16-year-old began the scoring with an exceptional free kick in the 55th minute and then tallied again less than 10 minutes later off a pass from Favio Alvarez to seal the win.
With his first goals for the senior side officially in the books, Guillermo Barros Schelotto pegs his 16-year-old wunderkind for big things in the future.
“The two goals were very important to him. He played really good in the second half even though he’s just 16. The future will be great if he keeps working and keeps open to learn. This was a very important game for him today.”
