The LA Galaxy’s decision to deal away Edson Buddle to the Colorado Rapids on Friday could have a major impact on two of the club’s brightest attacking prospects -- Jack McBean and Jose Villarreal.
On Friday, the LA Galaxy dealt veteran forward to the Rapids in exchange for allocation money and Colorado’s first round pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. With Buddle dealt away and question marks around Landon Donovan, Mike Magee and Pat Noonan returning, the teenage forwards looked poised to play a significant role alongside Robbie Keane in 2013.
After a season in which both teenagers excelled in brief stints with the first team particularly during CONCACAF Champions League play, Arena seems ready to give his youngsters added responsibility next season.
“I think that Jose Villarreal and Jack McBean are ready to get more minutes with the first team. They’ll placed in a competitive situation in preseason and given an opportunity to show us what they can do, but they’re certainly much more advanced than they were [signed],” said Arena. “We think that they’re talented players and they need to continue to move forward professionally, they’re still in some cases young kids so they’ve got to continue to grow and hopefully they can contribute more. I think the past year for both of them was good. We’re very pleased by those two players.”
Both players as well as recent Homegrown signing Oscar Sorto and Academy defender Javan Torre were both called up to the upcoming U.S. Under-20 camp in Florida.
