:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68925364/Screen_Shot_2021_03_06_at_5.04.23_PM.0.png)
The LA Galaxy revealed their preseason roster to open training camp on Friday, and all in all, there were no surprises.
25 players on the preseason roster are under contract already, adding new addition Derrick Williams and removing Diedie Traore, who has left the team. That leaves four players not currently on a first-team contract in camp: 2021 MLS SuperDraft picks Josh Drack and Preston Judd, and LA Galaxy II players Mauricio Cuevas and Augustine Williams.
Drack and Judd are on trial, trying to win pro deals in the Galaxy organization, which could mean a contract with Los Dos, especially for Drack as he’s being converted from forward to left back.
Cuevas and Williams may be in a little different situation, since they’re currently under contract to Los Dos. Cuevas is 18 and seems like a prime candidate for a homegrown deal with the first team, although it hasn’t happened yet. Williams is 23, and is not eligible for a homegrown deal, but he has been balling out for years in the USL Championship and seems like he could be on the cusp of getting a shot with the first team. Will it happen for the Galaxy II guys? Stay tuned.
Beyond those four, don’t expect much else in terms of non-rostered players in preseason for the Galaxy. In normal years, having trialists come and go would be normal, but this year, with the coronavirus pandemic, players have to go through quarantine before training and so teams are being more judicious in who they invite to camp, so as not to string a player along for no good reason. While new head coach Greg Vanney expects more additions to the roster, we’ll see how the roster changes ahead of opening night on Apr. 17.
What do you think? Leave a comment below.