CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy head coach Curt Onalfo billed new forward Jack McInerney as a “no-brainer” addition to his squad’s attacking corps.
The Galaxy announced the acquisition of the 24-year-old striker off waivers on Tuesday. Most recently with the Portland Timbers, the forward boasts eight years’ experience in Major League Soccer and has notched 43 goals across 167 matches for four teams.
With the Galaxy having just one goal from a forward this season – Giovani dos Santos’ penalty kick against Dallas – the move was an easy one for the team to make.
“He gives us depth at the forward position. A proven goal scorer in our league,” Curt Onalfo said. “He’s got a lot of experience and having said that; he’s still young at 24-years-old. He’s a no-brainer pickup to add depth to our offense.
“I just look at him as another attacking option that brings competition. That competition brings the most out of players. We know that he’s proven and he can do it. We’re going to have stretches in the year where Gio is not here and with the national team, same with [Gyasi Zardes]. It’s important that we always have enough firepower to be able to score goals.”
Drafted by the Philadelphia Union in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, McInerney has made stops with Philadelphia, Columbus Crew SC, Montreal Impact, and Portland. McInerney was waived by Portland in the preseason after scoring five goals in 28 appearances for the Timbers.
“It’s a good opportunity to come to a club with a history of winning," McInerney told reporters after his first session. "I’m coming here to get a chance to train and play, so I’m excited for the opportunity.”
[I’ll bring] goal scoring. It’s what I’ve done in the past. Hopefully, I get a couple of chances here and there, we have guys who can create opportunities like Gyasi and Dos Santos so hopefully, I can get on the end of those plays. I’m a bit of a poacher. I’m not going to create too many chances on my own, but if the ball falls to my foot in the box, then it’s going to go into the back of the net."
The forward is expected to be available for Sunday’s contest against Seattle Sounders FC, but whether he’ll play remains up in the air. After his first training session, Onalfo stated that he'd be evaluated throughout the week to see if he’s able to earn minutes for the first team or possibly LA Galaxy II, who host Orange County SC a day earlier.
“I feel pretty good. Better than I thought I would. The last month, I’ve just been lifting and running on my own because it’s hard to get touches and stay game fit when you’ve gone a month without being with a team,” McInerney said. “Overall, I feel good. I have to get used to the sunny weather because I haven’t trained in that condition in seven months.’
“I told the coaches that I feel like I could make an impact off the bench. That’s their decision, if they feel like I need more time, then it is what it is.”
