CARSON, Calif. – Giving the brightest prospects in the LA Galaxy Academy valuable minutes in competitive matches was one of the chief purposes of the LA Galaxy II and in the USL PRO affiliate’s first season, it was a complete success.
Whether it was Homegrown Players like USL PRO Rookie of the Year finalist Bradford Jamieson IV and Oscar Sorto or Galaxy Academy graduates Jaime Villarreal and Elijah Martin, young players played a pivotal role for Los Dos in their inaugural season.
As we look ahead to the team’s second year in USL PRO, members of the Galaxy Academy will again be a vital part of head coach Curt Onalfo’s plans.
Below are five Galaxy Academy players that could make the jump to LA Galaxy II next season.
REY ORTIZ
AGE: 17
Position: Right midfielder
Considered one of the top attacking prospects in the Galaxy Academy, Ortiz was one of the stars on the Galaxy U-16 team that won the 2014 Developmental Academy title and will look to translate that success to the professional level in the coming years.
An attacking midfielder in the mold of Homegrown Players Jose Villarreal and Raul Mendiola, Ortiz notched 12 goals in 24 matches with the U-16’s championship winning side. The 17-year-old also developed a penchant for scoring big goals as he scored four times during the postseason including three goals in the semifinal win against Chicago Magic PSG.
This season, Ortiz has continued to mature with the Galaxy Under-18’s with two goals in nine appearances. If he progresses throughout the Developmental Academy campaign, he could find himself training regularly with Los Dos by the time LA Galaxy II’s preseason rolls around.
WHAT SCOUTS SAY: He’s one of the top prospects in the Galaxy Academy... He’s a smart player that can defeat defenders one-on-one... Defensively he has a lot of work to do... He needs to be extremely fast or extremely special to make it because 5-foot-3 size is his major detriment.
ERIC LOPEZ
Age: 15
Position: Goalkeeper
At just 15-years-old Eric Lopez may be one of the top goalkeeping prospects not only in the LA Galaxy Academy setup, but in the entire United States.
Lopez has undergone a meteoric rise over the past year as the 6-foot-3 teenage goalkeeper rose through the Galaxy Academy ranks and caught the eye of the U.S. Under-17 Residency setup. After shining with the U.S. squad, Lopez became the youngest player ever signed to a USL PRO contract earlier this week when he signed with Galaxy II.
With at least two semesters remaining on his eligibility for the Residency Program, Curt Onalfo and his staff will have to decide the next stage of his development and whether Lopez will return to Los Dos or continue to suit up for the U-17 setup.
WHAT SCOUTS SAY: He has great size and physical abilities and is already 6-foot-3 at just 15... He’s mentally very focused... As a goalkeeper, he needs experience, but playing in international games with the U.S. residency program will help him grow... He might be the best prospect in the Galaxy Academy.
DREW MURPHY
Age: 19
Position: Central midfielder and left back
Drew Murphy joined U.C. Santa Barbara in 2013 already boasting an accomplished resume with the LA Galaxy Academy and after excelling in college he remains one of the crown jewels of LA’s youth setup.
At Santa Barbara, Murphy has developed into one of NCAA’s finest attacking left back prospects while also emerging as a dangerous weapon on set pieces. A quick outside back with impressive size at 6-foot-4, Murphy was named to the Big West All-Freshman team with one goal and eight assists in his first year in Santa Barbara. In 2014, he’s continued to be a major contributor with 17 starts in 18 appearances while notching two goals and five assists for the Gauchos.
Prior to joining UCSB, Murphy spent four years with the Galaxy Academy where he played primarily at central midfielder and was a key member on LA’s 2011 U-16 Developmental Academy championship side. During that time, Murphy trained several times with the club’s first team while also appearing in reserve league action.
WHAT SCOUTS SAY: At 6-foot-4 he has great size and has a great left foot... He excels at left back at the college level and can serve in a great ball, but is likely more of a central midfielder which was his position in the academy... He can be better with his mobility and defending, but is the closest Academy player to being ready to come in and start.
MALCOLM JONES
Age: 17
Position: Center back and right back
The best defender in the LA Galaxy Academy system, Malcolm Jones is primed to play a significant role with Galaxy II next season.
A versatile defender who draws comparisons to A.J. DeLaGarza with his ability to play in multiple positions, Jones has spent time training with Los Dos and was on the bench for a match against the Real Salt Lake reserves in August. A member of the Galaxy U-16 team that won the Developmental Academy title, Jones made 27 appearances for the side while also finding the back of the net.
This season, Jones has been solid in defense for the Galaxy U-18’s, starting eight of their nine games to date, scoring once. Jones also spent time earlier this year with the U.S. Under-18 squad alongside fellow Galaxy prospect Jorge Ruiz. A highly touted prospect, Jones is a player that could find his way into the starting XI at some point in the 2015 USL PRO season if his progression continues.
WHAT SCOUTS SAY: Physically, he’s very capable and strong with great speed which is essential if he plays right back... He’s one of the best prospects in the LA Galaxy Academy... He can improve technically on his passing and crossing ability, but he has a great head on his shoulders... He can play center back at the academy level, but at the next level, his size will hurt him unless he grows physically.
RYO FUJII
Age: 18
Position: Central defensive midfielder
LA Galaxy II already boast a technical defensive midfielder in Andre Auras, but the Frenchman may have found a protégé next season in U.C. Santa Barbara midfielder and Galaxy Academy graduate Ryo Fujii.
During his only season with the Galaxy Academy, Fujii made 28 appearances and scored five goals during the team’s 2013/14 campaign. A tireless worker in the center of the park, Fujii’s deft passing ability were key to sparking attacks for the high-octane Galaxy Academy side that boasted the most electric offense in the Developmental Academy.
Fujii has switched to a more defensive role in his first season with Santa Barbara, but he’s quickly become a regular with 17 appearances—14 of them starts—and one assist.
WHAT SCOUTS SAY: He’s an interesting player who is very good technically and smart on the field... In the academy, he played as more of an attacking two-way “No. 8 midfielder” but now in college they’ve turned him into more of defensive midfielder in “No. 6 midfielder” mold which might be his role in the future... He’s a great passer of the ball, but defensively he needs to be better.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
