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The LA Galaxy youth expedition came to a crashing halt today with the LA Galaxy U-18 squad eliminated from the US Soccer Development Academy playoffs and the United States U-20 squad eliminated from the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. This returns several youth players to the Galaxy, with Landon Donovan about to leave for international duty.
In Turkey, the United States U-20 side lost 4-1 to Ghana knocking them out of the FIFA 2013 U-20 World Cup. There was an outside chance of the US advancing with Spain defeating France 2-0, but Ghana simply outclassed the young Yanks over ninety minutes. They're sent home earning only one point.
The LA Galaxy U-20s lost their second straight to bow out of the US Soccer Development Academy playoffs, with the New England Revolution getting a 4-2 victory. LA went down 3-0, and it wasn't until the 70 minutes into the match that they started to climb back in. A 70' Justin Dhillon goal was matched by New England in the 75' and then Raul Mendiola put one in at the 79' mark. It was too little too late, and combined with a Dallas Texans 3-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes it pushed the Revs through out of a tough Group 6.
Jose Villarreal and Oscar Sorto should rejoin the Galaxy in training after the San Jose trip. With the Academy season over and the NCAA season not yet started, expect players with Raul Mendiola and Justin Dhillon to get significant minutes with the reserve side this summer. There are three reserve matches in July for them to get some experience in.
With Donovan gone, I'd expect to see Keane and Villarreal to start together up top for the two home matches next week, with Gyasi Zardes starting on the right flank.