Official release from LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy announced today the formation of the LA Galaxy Academy Alliance, an extensive soccer development program that will be an integral part of the pathway to playing for the LA Galaxy Academy.
The Academy Alliance, which is being created in association with youth club partners South Bay Force and West Coast Futbol Club, as well as adidas, will allow the Galaxy to better identify and develop the top young players throughout the Southland.
The Galaxy Academy is the official youth academy of the 2011 and 2012 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy. In the past two years, the Galaxy have signed four players directly from the Academy as Homegrown Players, including forwards Jack McBean and Jose Villarreal, who have each already made their professional debuts and were members of the Galaxy's MLS Cup winning side in 2012. Those two will be joined by fellow Homegrown Players Oscar Sorto and Gyasi Zardes in 2013 after each signed with the club in December 2012.
"The LA Galaxy are committed to creating the best Academy system in the United States and the Galaxy Alliance will allow us to better identify and develop a greater number of players throughout the region," said LA Galaxy President Chris Klein.
"By aligning ourselves with some of the best youth soccer clubs in the region, we are in a position to create a central coaching philosophy and curriculum, allowing us to teach the finest youth soccer players in Southern California how to play the game the Galaxy way."
