The LA Galaxy have signed free-agent midfielder Chris Pontius, the club announced today. Pontius, 30, has spent nine years in Major League Soccer playing for D.C. United and the Philadelphia Union, where he has amassed 45 goals and 29 assists. He has joined the team today for preseason training ahead of the 2018 MLS Regular Season.
“Chris is a proven and experienced player in our league who can bolster our roster immediately,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach Sigi Schmid. “He is a Southern California native who will be a valuable addition to our squad both on the field and in the locker room. We look forward to him joining the team as we begin preseason training.”
A product of Yorba Linda, California, Pontius was drafted with the 7th overall selection in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by D.C. United following a standout career at University of California, Santa Barbara. He represented United until 2015, capturing the 2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and earning honors as a 2012 MLS All Star. In the 2012 All-Star Game, Pontius scored a goal and added an assist in the MLS All-Stars 3-2 win over Chelsea FC and was named the game’s MVP. He joined the Philadelphia Union in 2016, going on to score 12 goals and notch seven assists that year while earning honors as the 2016 MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
During his time at the UCSB, Pontius was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist in his Senior year in 2008 and was also a College Soccer News All-American Second Team, and an NSCAA All-American Third Team representative. He also won the Big West offensive player of the year in his junior year.
Internationally, Pontius had been called up to several U.S. Men’s National Team camps before earning his first cap in January 2017 in a friendly contest against Serbia. In all, he has made five appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team, including three during the USMNT’s 2017 Gold Cup-winning campaign.
The Galaxy sign Pontius after acquiring Ola Kamara, midfielder Perry Kitchen, defender Jorgen Skjelvik, defender Rolf Feltscher, goalkeeper David Bingham, defender Emrah Klimenta, goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre, midfielder Servando Carrasco and re-signing defender Ashley Cole and midfielder Baggio Husidic during this offseason.
Additionally, the Galaxy selected Tomas Hilliard-Arce with the 2nd pick, Drew Skundrich with the 40th pick and Nate Shultz with the 28th pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. Pontius and the LA Galaxy will open the 2018 MLS Season on Sunday, March 4 at StubHub Center against Portland Timbers (7 p.m. PT, FS1), presented by StubHub. Tickets to that match are on sale now, available here.
