LOS ANGELES (Friday, Dec. 17, 2021) – LA Galaxy II today announced that head coach Junior Gonzalez will depart the club to join the Chicago Fire FC coaching staff as an assistant coach under newly appointed head coach Ezra Hendrickson.
“It has been an honor to work for the LA Galaxy organization,” said Gonzalez. “As a product of the local LA soccer community, I will be forever grateful to have the experience to aid in the developmental process of these young professionals. I wish the club and the organization success as I depart for a new role in Chicago.”
In three seasons as LA Galaxy II’s head coach (2019-21), Gonzalez posted a 26-25-12 regular-season record in the USL Championship, guiding Los Dos to two postseason appearances (2019, 2020).
"We are thankful for Junior's contributions to the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II family over the years," said LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney. "We are proud that he is taking this step forward and reuniting with former Galaxy player Ezra Hendrickson in Chicago as he moves onto the next chapter in his coaching career. We are grateful for his time with our club and wish him the best moving forward."
On July 19, 2019, Gonzalez was named interim head coach of LA Galaxy II, leading Los Dos to a 7-4-4 regular-season record and helping the club qualify for the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs. After being named the permanent head coach of Galaxy II on Jan. 8, 2020, Gonzalez guided Los Dos to an 8-6-2 record during the 2020 USL Championship regular season campaign, helping Galaxy qualify for the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs. During the 2021 USL Championship campaign, Gonzalez led LA to a 11-15-6 record. He originally joined the organization as an LA Galaxy assistant coach ahead of the 2018 MLS season.
LA Galaxy II have begun the process of identifying a new head coach following Gonzalez’s departure.
