CARSON, Calif. – Jose Villarreal and Jack McBean have been performing well as of late as each have scored at least one goal during the LA Galaxy’s last two matches. With the teenagers in form and Robbie Keane away on international duty, it would not be a shock to see Bruce Arena opt for an all-Homegrown forward corps during Saturday’s match against the Colorado Rapids.
Villarreal and McBean each bagged goals in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal second leg against C.S. Herediano, but McBean notched his second goal in five days with a late strike in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chivas USA. The teenagers aren’t the only options as Mike Magee started the MLS regular season opener against the Chicago Fire and the CCL quarterfinal first leg against Herediano up top alongside Keane.
If it is the youngsters and Magee is stationed out wide, the Galaxy attacker believes that they could cause some damage against the Rapids back line.
“I think it’d be great. I think it’d be good for them to play with each other because their confidence will be a little better,” said Magee. “I know the first time that I played with Robbie, I was a bit intimidated and I’m sure Jose and Jack were as well. With them together, hopefully they can link up and build confidence. Knowing that, I have to do a better job of getting up there [from midfield] and instill a little confidence in them.”
Regardless of who steps in for Keane, Magee feels that any of the Galaxy’s forwards will be able to fill the captain’s shoes.
“Obviously, those are some big shoes to fill and he’s a guy that we rely on to score goals and create chances. Whether it’s the youngsters or myself or a combination of one of them and me, we’ll be fine,” said Magee. “Obviously Jack and Jose have done well to score goals and I have as well, so they deserve minutes, but we’ll be fine either way.”
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