LA Galaxy

2015 LA Galaxy Media Guide

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94 The LA Galaxy Academy is the official youth development program of the LA Galaxy. Officially launched in April 2007 with the goal of identifying and training the best young talent in the region and enabling people to achieve their life goals through the sport of soccer, the Academy features U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-18 teams under the tutelage of Peter Vagenas, who was named the Director of the Galaxy Academy in June 2013. The LA Galaxy Academy enables people to achieve their life goals through soccer. With the purpose of becoming the best soccer Academy in the United States, the Galaxy Academy U-16 and U-18 teams began play in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, which features the top youth clubs from across the United States, in 2008. The Galaxy U-16's reached the Development Academy Playoffs during their first season while the U-18's qualified for the postseason during the 2009/10 season, their second year of play. Last summer, the Galaxy U-16's once again reached the Academy Playoffs and were crowed U-16 National Champions for the first time ever after beating PA Classics 4-1 behind goals from Justin Dhillon, Sean Dhillon, Drew Murphy and Willie Raygoza. The Academy also annually competes in the Generation adidas Cup, winning the U-17 competition for the first time in 2011 while also competing at the U-15 level. That same year, the Galaxy also began playing in the Southern California Developmental Soccer League, fielding U-12, U-13, U-14 and U-15 teams. The primary objective of the Galaxy Youth Academy is to identify and develop local players who can make an impact as professionals with the Galaxy and contribute to the winning traditions of Major League Soccer's most storied franchise. The club strives to inspire in all Academy players discipline, character, respect and excellence both on and off the field. These qualities will assist players in achieving their personal goals and produce players worthy of wearing the Galaxy uniform. In addition to the personal growth of each of our Academy players, successful Academy teams will enhance the Galaxy brand in the local youth soccer community further contributing to the growth of the club. The LA Galaxy Youth Academy provides and ideal training environment for developing players and gives those players the tools to succeed in the game at the next level. Players registered for at least 12 months in the Galaxy's Academy become eligible to sign a professional contract with the club as a Homegrown Player, without entering the MLS SuperDraft. Since the formation of the Academy, the Galaxy have signed three players, Tristan Bowen, the first player in MLS history to sign directly from an Academy, Jack McBean, who became the youngest player in club history ever to score a goal, and Jose Villarreal, who was signed by the club in December. All three of those players, as well as a number of other players such as Justin Dhillon, Willie Raygoza, Mario Rodriguez, Jaime Villarreal and Riley Wolfe have received call-ups to various U.S. Youth National Teams since joining the Academy. At all levels, Galaxy Academy teams train a minimum of three days a week in addition to their schedule of games. Additionally, the Academy is fully funded by the club, meaning that there are no costs involved for players, who receive expert coaching to go along with professional level equipment and training facilities. To learn more about the Galaxy Academy, please visit www.lagalaxy.com/academy.

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