CARSON, Calif. (Monday, July 20, 2015) –LA Galaxy II announced that the club has signed two LA Galaxy Academy products, as midfielder Adrian Vera and goalkeeper Bennett Sneddon join the United Soccer League (USL) side. Per club and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’re excited to sign two more talented players to Galaxy II,” said LA Galaxy Technical Director Jovan Kirovski. “These signings are another testament to the quality of players that the LA Galaxy Academy consistently produces. Both Adrian and Bennett have tremendous upside and we are confident in their continued development as they join Galaxy II.”
The duo gives the Galaxy 15 Academy products that are now signed professionally across LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II. Vera and Sneddon join Gyasi Zardes, Jose Villarreal, Bradford Jamieson IV, Raul Mendiola, Oscar Sorto, Jack McBean, Jaime Villarreal, Eric Lopez, Elijah Martin, Adonis Amaya, Ryo Fujii, Joe Franco and Alejandro Covarrubias as Galaxy Academy products who represent either LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II.
“Adrian and Bennett are more examples of the unified player developmental system that spans across the Academy, Galaxy II and our first team,” said LA Galaxy Academy Director Pete Vagenas. “We are excited that both players can remain within the Galaxy family as they improve in such a familiar environment.”
Vera, 18, was a member of the LA Galaxy Academy’s U-15/16 and U-17/18 sides since the 2011-12 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season. During the 2014-15 season, Vera led the LA Galaxy U-18’s with 17 goals and three assists to a 22-11-6 record during the season to finish third in the Development Academy’s West Conference. He has also appeared for Los Dos this season as an Academy member.
Sneddon, 18, was an integral part in the Galaxy side that captured the 2013-14 Developmental Academy U-16 National Championship, starting and keeping a shutout in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake AZ as the Galaxy became the first club to win two national championships in the same age group. In addition to being a member of various Galaxy Academy sides, Sneddon also spent a stint training with Professional side Bodens BK in Sweden.
Curt Onalfo’s squad is currently tied for first place atop the Western Conference standings, having won 10 of their last 14 USL games.
A complete LA Galaxy II 2015 schedule can be found here. All LA Galaxy II matches will be streamed live on www.lagalaxy.com with the majority of home matches broadcast by Time Warner Cable lead announcer Joe Tutino along with Ralph Perez.
Single-game tickets to remaining LA Galaxy II matches at StubHub Center can be purchased for $10 each. To purchase tickets, fans can visit www.lagalaxy.com/2 or call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299).
