PHILADELPHIA – Tomas Hilliard-Arce isn't a newcomer to the LA Galaxy.
Like most kids, the new LA Galaxy central defender grew up idolizing club legend David Beckham and justs before being selected by the Galaxy; the 22-year-old defender leaned over to father Andy to remind him of a story from his childhood.
“I was telling my dad when [the Galaxy] were about to pick that I remember going in to get my Beckham jersey right after he signed,” Hilliard-Arce said. “To have a Galaxy jersey without me having to buy it is cool.”
To follow in his footsteps has the young defender eager for the year ahead.
“Everyone had a Beckham jersey. LA Galaxy— they’re the club that everyone knows here,” Hilliard-Arce said. “I feel like Beckham was the first person, then you see Landon Donovan and people like Ashley Cole. It’s a place you want to be— a place you can learn and grow.
“It will be so cool to see my name on the jersey. I can’t wait to be around StubHub Center and feel the electricity. I know the passion that everyone has toward the club, so to be someplace where soccer is truly a priority.”