CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy II have served as a valuable player development tool for the LA Galaxy, and in 2017, Curt Onalfo expects his squad to sign more LA Galaxy Academy alums.
Currently, Los Dos boasts 13 Galaxy Academy products including leading goal scorer Jack McBean, assist-leaders Adonis Amaya and Jose Villarreal, and team captain Jamie Villarreal. As Galaxy II look ahead to next season, Onalfo admits that Galaxy II will only continue to add youth next season.
“We’re going to continue to get younger, and the younger guys on our roster will only have more experience,” Onalfo told LAGalaxy.com. “It’s all part of it.”
Ahead of the 2017 season, below are five players who could make the jump to Los Dos in 2017
EFRAIN ALVAREZ
Efrain Alvarez has solidified himself as the crown jewel of the LA Galaxy Academy and the talented 14-year-old seems poised to make a jump to the next level.
The talented playmaker has amazed since joining the Galaxy Academy, scoring a remarkable 32 goals in 37 games for both the Galaxy U-14 and U-16 squads. Alvarez recently impressed during the Galaxy U-16’s GA Cup matches, scoring a hat-trick against Real Salt Lake's U-16's.
Alvarez has also played at the youth international level with both the United States and Mexico, recently suiting up for El Tri’s youth set up last month.
OSCAR PENATE
No player from the LA Galaxy Academy may have raised their stock this season quite like Oscar Penate.
Penate was one of the key contributors of the Galaxy U-16 squad that marched to the USSDA final earlier this year with a goal in their semifinal win over Real Colorado. The youngster scored 13 goals for the Galaxy U-16s last year and has found the back of the net twice for the U-18 squad this season.
If the dynamic striker can continue to impress, he could find his way into Curt Onalfo’s youth-laden offense.
MALCOLM JONES
Malcolm Jones is ready to play at the USL level; it’s simply a matter of when the UCLA Bruin defender decides to take the leap.
Among Galaxy circles, Jones has long been considered the finest center back prospect in the Galaxy Academy and has put forth yet another solid season with UCLA. Jones is a regular in head coach Jorge Salcedo’s lineup with 10 appearances and one goal in 2016.
Given his talent and his experience at both the college and youth international level, Jones is a safe bet to find his way into Onalfo’s plans next season.
JUSTIN DHILLON
In 2016, Jack McBean excelled in a target role for Curt Onalfo’s squad and heading into 2017, LA Galaxy Academy prospect Justin Dhillon could be ready to pick up where McBean left off.
A senior at Cal Poly, the 21-year-old has been the primary offensive threat for the Mustangs throughout his four years in San Luis Obispo. Standing at 6-foot-3, Dhillon’s aerial skills have terrorized Cal Poly’s opponents, with the Rancho Santa Margarita native scoring 14 goals and 11 assists in 67 career matches.
In his final year at Cal Poly, Dhillon has seen his production rise with a career-high six goals in 11 appearances for the Mustangs. With McBean expected to get minutes with the Galaxy first team next season, Dhillon could prove to be his heir apparent.
JUAN CERVANTES
One of the top goalkeeping prospects in the LA Galaxy Academy system, Juan Cervantes could contend for a place on Galaxy II in the coming years.
The current starting goalkeeper with the UCLA Bruins, the LA Galaxy Academy product has kicked off his senior season in Westwood in form. Cervantes has earned a 4-3-1 record for the Bruins this season with an impressive 1.08 goals against average in eight appearances.
In 30 career games for UCLA, the redshirt senior compiled a 15-9-3 record with a 1.13 goals against average.
