Photo by Robert Mora/LA Galaxy
CARSON, Calif. -- It's impossible not to notice LA Galaxy Under-18 forward Justin Dhillon on the soccer field.
The 17-year-old Dhillon stands an imposing 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds and has become well-known throughout the youth soccer level for his mix of size, speed and ball skills. In four Development Academy matches this season, Dhillon is the second leading goal scorer on the team -- behind Jack McBean who has four -- including one open the scoring of Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Chivas USA U-18s. Throughout Dhillon's youth career, the forward has racked up honors including being placed on the U.S. Soccer Development Academy First XI for 2010-2011 season while the wide forward from Rancho Santa Margarita was at the Galaxy's Under-16 level.
According to Top Drawer Soccer, Dhillon has committed Cal Poly in the fall and will begin his college career in San Luis Obispo, but Galaxy U-18 head coach Eddie Soto believes that if he continues his development, the forward could grow to even greater heights.
"Justin is such a dynamic player," said Soto. "With his physical attributes, with his size and how good is with his feet. I think that the biggest challenge that he needs to overcome is his consistency. When he’s on, the kid is very special and it’s one thing that we’re working on in training is demand more from him in training every day. I think that will carry over when he plays…It’s a process and for him, it’s day by day."
Below Dhillon describes himself as a player and his attributes...
DHILLON: "I play outside wing [forward] and my strength is that I'm fast and that I'm able to dribble past people a lot. The last couple of years, I've been a goalscorer, scoring quite a few goals."
(On using his size as an outside forward...)
DHILLON: "When people see me and I say that I'm a forwawrd, they always say, 'oh, he's a center forward and a target guy," but they always end up putting me back on the wing again because that's my best spot and where I grew up playing."
(On his future...)
DHILLON: "We'll see what happens in the future. I've been playing well right now, but hopefully, I'll be in the big stadium one day...college is always an option, but ultimately my dream is to be a professional."
