Wrexham AFC has Galaxy II ‘super excited’ for the opportunity
The recently promoted English club, made famous by co-owners and actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, arrives for a friendly Saturday in Carson
Marcelo Sarvas won two MLS Cups with the Galaxy as a player in 2012 and 2014.
In 2020, Sarvas returned, joining the Galaxy Academy coaching staff at the U-17 and U-19 levels. Last season, he was promoted to coach of Galaxy II.
This is the first season Galaxy II is competing in MLS Next Pro, Major League Soccer’s development league.
“Inside the focus of what the club has for the age group, I think we’re doing really well,” Sarvas said. “Results are a different situation. There are a lot of different situations that can change the game, but we are happy with what we are doing.
“I think this is what we should be doing, using the Academy, using young players. You invest a lot of money in the Academy to not use them or not give them a chance, they’re going to make mistakes, they’re young. But they are learning and growing and there are players that have a good future with us. If you’re going to analyze the season with the player and how they’re developing individually, I think we’re doing a great job.”
Saturday, Sarvas will lead Galaxy II into a midseason friendly against Wrexham AFC, the English club made famous thanks to its new owners, actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. The club’s plight was captured in the docuseries “Welcome to Wrexham.”
Wrexham won the National League title last season and was promoted to EFL League Two, the fourth division of the English football league system. Wrexham finished with a 34-3-9 record for 111 points to earn its first promotion in 15 years.
“Everyone is super excited to play this game,” Sarvas said. “We might have some players from the first team, but everyone is excited, we’re playing in the (main) stadium, they’re going to have some lights on them. It’s all about them.
“From what we saw (of Wrexham), they’re very strong and very physical.”
In the last Galaxy II game, Novak Mićović, Marcus Ferkranus, Jonathan Pérez, Adam Saldaña and Gino Vivi were loaned from the first team.
“I love this age group,” Sarvas said. “I’m in a position that I love. I love to work with the young guys, they are willing to learn, to execute, they are curious. They want to get better and I’m in a position that I can help them with the experience that I have on the field.
“The core of the team is young. We have Marcus Ferkranus. We have (Aaron) Bibout, the top scorer, a player everyone has been looking at, he’s 18. We have our center Ascel (Essengue), he’s 19. (Adam) Saldaña is still young, he’s only 21. Jonathan Perez is only 20, but the rest of the guys are 18, 17, 16 years old.
“The good thing when you have guys coming from the first team, is to mix the experience and the physicality of the game with the young guys that can learn from them.”
Wrexham kicked off its American tour Wednesday with a 5-0 loss to Chelsea in North Carolina. The club also has stops set for San Diego on Tuesday and Philadelphia on Friday.
Wrexham AFC at Galaxy II
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson
How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)