CARSON, Calif. – Josh Turnley is ready to get to work.
The Galaxy selected the defender out of Georgetown University with the 42nd overall pick in the third round of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft. A three-year starter with the Hoyas, Turnley was a second Team All-BIG EAST honoree last season.
After going undrafted in the first two rounds of the SuperDraft, Turnley was ecstatic when he was told that he’d be heading to the Galaxy with the first selection in the third round.
“It’s unbelievable. I was holding my breath the other day hoping that I would be picked, and I was a little nervous that I’d have to wait to find out what was going to happen. I just felt amazing that I didn’t have to wait long,” Turnley told LAGalaxy.com. “It put me at ease. I’m just so excited and thankful for the opportunity to go to a storied club like the LA Galaxy and to get a chance to compete against some of the greatest players in the world.”
The 22-year-old attack-minded left back heads to Los Angeles after four seasons at Georgetown where he made 67 appearances, tallying six assists. Turnley first caught the eyes of the team’s coaching staff in February 2015 when the Galaxy squared off against the Hoyas in a preseason match during the trip’s visit to the White House.
Although the competition for places on both the first team and the LA Galaxy II will tough, Turnley is ready for the challenge that lies ahead.
“It’s a team full of stars and the best talent in the world, but for me, I’m somebody that thrives on competition. I’m excited to go up against the guys the Galaxy already have,” said Turnley. “For me, my mindset isn’t just to get there, stick around, and maybe play for LA Galaxy II. My mindset is that I’m going to come in from day one and give 110 percent of everything I have.
“I’m not going to stop until I earn a contract with the team. I’ve got no intentions of immediately being sent down to Galaxy II; I’m going to give everything that I have to earn a first team contract. I’m not scared to compete and battle with guys that are already there, and guys that are expected to earn first team contracts.”
No matter what unfolds in the weeks that follow, Turnley is excited to get his journey started.
“It’s just mind-boggling that I’m going to get to play against some of the players that play for LA Galaxy,” Turnley said. “I’m over the moon about it, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atwww.LAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
