On August 5, 2015, the LA Galaxy announced it has signed 22-year-old defender David Romney from Los Dos to the senior team. This summer Romney has made three appearances for the senior squad, having played one half in each of the LA Galaxy’s friendlies against Club América and FC Barcelona, and a full ninety minutes during the Galaxy’s loss to Houston last week. Romney, a native of Irvine, California, previously played for the University of San Francisco men’s soccer team and amateur club San Francisco City FC. Romney, 6’2”, is a versatile defender – he has played a variety of positions during his academy development and consequently enjoys getting forward and participating in the attack.

The LA Galaxy back-line has had more than its fair share of injuries this season which, when taken in conjunction with the Galaxy’s congested schedule and the international obligations of many of its players, has opened up opportunities for Los Dos players to get senior team minutes and several players have made convincing cases that they’re ready for MLS. Indeed, Romney’s versatility as a defender may have played a role in getting his call-up since certain HIGHLY ASTUTE fans pointed out earlier this year that the Galaxy could be facing a left-back shortage:

@GalaxyPodcast Any Dunivant update? W/ Robbie's achilles, we could be running into a left back shortage. — Wendy Thomas (@bardsblond) July 22, 2015

When the Galaxy’s primary left-back, Robbie Rogers, and its back-up left back, Todd Dunivant, both became unavailable due to nagging injuries, Romney filled in at left-back against Houston and performed so well that Bruce Arena praised Romney’s performance as one of the highlights in an otherwise poor team showing in Texas. On receiving his first call-up to the senior team, Romney said, “Growing up in Irvine, this being my favorite team, my favorite club, it’s kindof an honor to play for this team…”

There is an embarrassment of riches both at Los Dos and in the LA Galaxy Academy system. In the coming years, it is likely that the LA Galaxy will move away from the Superdraft as a source of signing new players and focus exclusively on those it has developed. This year, players like Raúl Mendiola, who is tied for the most assists in the USL this season, and Ariel Lassiter (son of Roy Lassiter), have showed very well for Los Dos. And with the recent announcement that the LA Galaxy will be opening up a high school for their academy, it is only a matter of time before the Galaxy add a few more players from the academy to Los Dos.

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