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The LA Galaxy have officially announced the signing of Homegrown Player Oscar Sorto, a member of the Galaxy U-18 squad that captured the 2011-12 SoCal division title. Sorto is the first defender signed from the LA Galaxy academy program and the fourth overall signing following in the footsteps of Jose Villarreal (Dec 2011), Jack McBean (Jan 2011), and Tristan Bowen - the first player in MLS history signed from a club's academy system as a Homegrown Player.
Oscar Sorto trained with the Galaxy first team for much of 2012, and appeared in seven MLS reserve matches. He even collected an assist to Jack McBean in a 4-0 reserve victory over the Portland Timbers.
"It is a dream come true to join a club like the Galaxy, a team I have been a fan of since I was kid," Sorto said. "Growing up watching players like Mauricio Cienfuegos and Cobi Jones win championships motivated me to become a professional. I am very happy to now be able to represent my hometown like they did."
The newest LA Galaxy defender graduated from Manual Arts High School in June, and has been with the Galaxy academy for two years. He appeared in eight of their ten matches so far this season, scoring three goals and helping the squad to a division best 8-1-1 record.
Along with Jack McBean and Jose Villarreal, Sorto represents an investment in the future of the club. Villarreal has already become a favorite amongst the fans, and as the back line experiences turnover down the line Sorto will be a part of the next generation.