SoCal Natives Join LA Galaxy OC
Southern California natives will represent LA Galaxy OC during the 2019 UWS Season set to kick off next month. LA Galaxy OC welcomes new and returning players that have competed at the collegiate ranks as well as with U.S. Youth National Teams.
Related Article: Ready to Kick Off – UWS Teams Sign College Standouts
UWS News: Los Angeles Galaxy Orange County has announced its first signings for the 2019 United Women’s Soccer (UWS) campaign.
With the upcoming season kicking off in May, the Southern California club is stacking its squad for another year of competition in Irvine, CA.
A major highlight is the re-signing of Catarina Macario (Stanford University/San Diego Surf) for the 2019 season. Macario joins LA Galaxy OC as the reigning 2018 MAC Hermann Trophy winner, which is awarded to the most outstanding player in collegiate soccer.
In two seasons at Stanford, Macario has twice been named the ESPNW Player of the Year and PAC-12 Forward of the Year, along with earning All-America, All-Region, All-Pac-12, CoSIDA Academic All-District 8 and TopDrawer Soccer Player of the Year honors.
Jordan Marada (Uni. of Southern California/Southern California Blues/Laguna Hills Eclipse) rejoins the L.A. midfield after recording two goals and an assist in 665 minutes played in 2018.
Forward Jennifer Westendorf (Notre Dame/Gwinnett Soccer Association) will also return to LA Galaxy OC. Westendorf started in 17 matches last season and recorded four goals as well as a team-leading five assists. Anaheim native Chelsey Patterson (Cal State Fullerton/Fullerton Rangers), who scored one goal in 2018, re-signs with Los Angeles as well.
2018 UWS Defensive Player of the Year Natalie Jacobs (Southern California/Notre Dame/Slammers FC) is another key piece that has re-signed with LA Galaxy OC. The former U.S. Youth National Team player led Los Angeles in minutes played (873) last season while also recording two goals.
LA Galaxy OC 2018 team captain Natalie Ward (Notre Dame/Slammers FC) will also rejoin the club. Lastly, Connie Caliz (Cal State Fullerton/Legends FC) re-signs with the team after spending time on the Portland Thorns FC (NWSL) 2019 preseason roster.
The new players signed for 2019 also bring vital experience to LA Galaxy OC.
Goalkeepers Hillary Beall (Michigan/Southern California Blues) and Mac Carmichael (Southern California/San Diego Surf), as well as defender Madelyn Desiano (UCLA/Southern California Blues), bring U.S. Youth National Team experience to the squad.
In the midfield, Olivia Athens (UCLA/PSV Union), Jenna Nighswonger (Florida State/Slammers FC) and Madeline Vergura (Uni. of Southern California/FC Stars) are also former players for U.S. Youth National Teams.
LA Galaxy OC opens 2019 with a friendly match against LA Galaxy San Diego on Sunday, May 5, at 1:00 p.m. PT. The club’s opening match of the 2019 UWS campaign will be held on Sunday, May 19, at 5:00 p.m. PT versus Santa Clarita Blue Heat.
