Teenager Efrain Alvarez Makes An Impact In LA Galaxy Season Opener
LA Galaxy ‘Homegrown’ Talent, A Southern CA Local Helps Earn Comeback win in MLS Season Opener
Not every 16-year-old Homegrown talent can grab the spotlight in his MLS debut, coming off the bench to help power the LA Galaxy’s second-half comeback with an assist on the equalizer and a key role in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s game-winner in a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire at Dignity Health Sports Park.
LA Galaxy hottest teenage soccer star is former Cosmos West player, 16-year-old Efrain Alvarez.
As the 2019 MLS season kicks off, it is great to see youth soccer players turned professionals take to the field and make a difference.
Of all teenage players in America, Alvarez is not only the youngest ever to play for the famed LA Galaxy, but he is also a youth product of Southern California with exceptional talent.
Dusting off the LA Galaxy last season’s less than stellar performance, even if the roster included the famous Zlatan, the 2019 season’s opener was exciting soccer and promises a fan-attracting season.
Zlatan complimented Alvarez saying, “He is doing amazing things.”
Alvarez may have proved his abilities in the USL on the Galaxy II roster, scoring 12 goals, but it is under the real pro lights of an important season opener that stars are born.
Efra’s final stat line: One assist, one key pass, one unsuccessful dribble and six of 12 passes completed. The left-footed attacker also took two corner kicks and one free kick, a sign of the respect his coaches and teammates have already bestowed on him.
Alvarez Ranked No. 17 on MLSsoccer.com’s 2018 22 Under 22 list, he’s already been tipped as a candidate to become a breakout newcomer in MLS this season, and will likely continue to be a hot topic among fans on both sides of the US-Mexico border.
Up next, the Galaxy will travel to face FC Dallas on Saturday, March 9 at 12:30 PM PT.
Editorial Correction: Originally this article was published referencing FC Golden State instead of Cosmos West. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused and have corrected the reference 3/4/19.
