Galaxy’s youth movement is here out of necessity
There is no secret that the Galaxy’s current roster is incomplete.
New signing Lucas Calegari has yet to arrive. Designated players Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez (hamstring) and Douglas Costa (calf) are sidelined, defender Sega Coulilbaly has returned to France for personal matters and there are still additions on the way.
Until then, there is a youth movement that is ready to step into greater roles this season.
Defender Jalen Neal, 19, and forward Preston Judd, 23, made their first-team debuts in last week’s season-opening loss against FC Dallas. Neal came on as a second-half sub, but despite his youth, is probably the best option for the Galaxy.
Adam Saldana, 21, and Jonathan Perez, 20, were on the game day roster last week, but didn’t get into the game.
The Galaxy (0-1) will be on the road Saturday against Sporting Kansas City (0-1-1).
“For me, Jalen (Neal) had a steady preseason, I thought he came into the game (Saturday) and showed his confidence on the ball and composure and I thought he was good,” Galaxy coach and sporting director Greg Vanney said. “He’s always making a case for himself and that’s what we want from him. I don’t have any issues putting him on the field, ever. He’s proven himself now enough to me that he’s ready to play.
“Preston …he came in when we had two forwards up top, which is a little bit different setup, but he made some good runs, got himself in dangerous positions, which is what he does. He’s continuing to show he can be a handful, which we already knew. He’s putting himself in a position to have a bigger role.”
Judd was the 35th overall draft pick in the 2021 MLS SuperDraft out of Denver University. He spent the past two seasons with Galaxy II and scored 30 goals in 58 games.
“It’s been a goal and a dream to be on the first team and get playing time, so it’s a great start,” Judd said. “This offseason, I knew I had to get to work. I know I was close to getting playing time for the first team, so I approached it with everything I had, working every day, keeping in my mind that I had to do what I could to get that chance.”
Judd had one good chance at a goal, but his shot rolled wide of the post.
“It was a tough angle, but one I should have finished,” Judd said. “I thought about it many times …it’s one I wish I had back, but I’m looking ahead to the next one and I’m looking to put the next one in.”
Perez recently returned to training after undergoing offseason surgery.
“He was with us (last week) to take in the experience,” Vanney said. “I would say this week, he’s more available to play. We were going to be very hesitant in putting him on the field last week, but this week we feel he has enough training under his belt to participate.
“With each of them, in their sort of pathway and timeline has proven themselves. I was really pleased with where Johnny (Perez) was at the end of last year, now he’s been off for five months and it’s getting him back into form, but I think his quality and what he does, he’s ready.
“Preston has shown that he’s capable of scoring at the USL level, he’s just a handful for center backs. And Adam (Saldana) missed a season and he’s progressing back. All of them are making the right steps toward being a big part of the club as we move forward.”
Galaxy at Sporting KC
When: 5:30 p.m. PT Saturday
Where: Children’s Mercy Park, Kansas City, Kansas
TV: Apple TV