LA Galaxy academy update: U23 scrimmage

The LA Galaxy U-23s, being coached by new academy coach Mike Munoz, defeated a mystery English side 4-0 today. The U23a got goals from academy prospects Grady Howe and Steve Martinez. Howe has already had his freshman year at UCLA as the Galaxy U-23 side will be what we hoped it would be: a chance for graduated out academy players to stay attached to the program and get reps with Galaxy staff.

The idea behind the Under 23 side isn't as formal as the Chivas USA U23s or the Portland Timbers U23s. According to a Galaxy staff member, the ages will range from 15 to 21 and is more about giving LA's college protected homegrown players and current top academy players a place to get some training time in during the offseason.

They aren't joining a league this summer, and will focus instead on training and occasional one off scrimmages like today's against a traveling English side. It's more a collection of players LA have the Homegrown rights to who need a place to practice in the summer.

In the future, the Galaxy U23s could be more of a thing. Chivas USA's U23s participate in the SoCal Premier U23 league, where they are currently in first. We know that a handful of players from the Chivas academy system have flipped to the Galaxy system and played in the U23 scrimmage today. More on that story as it develops.