Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, December 8, 2011

Youth Academy Update

The Los Angeles Galaxy Under-18s, under manager Kenny Arena, continue to shake, rattle and roll after going unbeaten at the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Winter Showcase in Sarasota, Fla.

In their first match, the U-18s shut out the Clearwater Chargers 3-0 thanks to goals from Irving Parra, Jose Villareal and Mario Rodriguez. Villareal was at it again, scoring the Galaxy's only goal against Texans SC Houston. That match ended in a 1-1 draw.

in their third match, the Under-18s recorded another draw, this time a 2-2 result against the Concorde Fire. Rodriguez turned into Super Mario, helping the Young G's rally back with a brace in the 87th and 90th minutes.

with the results, the Galaxy Under-18s are now 7-0-2 this season, while remaining unbeaten in the Western Conference SoCal Division at 4-0-0.

For the Under-16s, it was a totally different story, as they managed one draw against two defeats. In their first match, a brace from Jaime Villareal and a third from Mario Ortiz gave the Galaxy a 3-3 draw against the Clearwater Chargers.

The next two matches were disastrous. The Under-16s were blown apart by Texans SC Houston 4-1. Matthew Perez recorded the only goal for the Galaxy. The U-16s ended their campaign with a 3-1 defeat to the Concorde Fire, with Villareal scoring for LA.

Some questions need to be answered as the Under-16s head into spring. They are currently 4-3-2, 3-1-0 in the Western Conference SoCal Division.

The Under-12s also took part in some action, shutting out Real So Cal 2-0. Owen Zaldivar recorded a brace for LA.

This weekend, the Galaxy Academy Under-13s will take on Pateadores on Saturday, Dec. 10 at Laguna Hills High School in Laguna Hills, Calif. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. PT/ 4 p.m. ET.

Battle Stations, Young American!

Midfielder Michael Stephens was one of 28 players named to Caleb Porter’s U.S. Under-23 National Team roster for an upcoming training camp in Bradenton, Fla. This training camp will be ahead of 2012 CONCACAf Olympic Qualifying, where they will take on Canada, Cuba and El Salvador.

Stephens has appeared in 25 games in each of his two seasons with the Galaxy, making 33 starts while scoring one goal and adding nine assists. He also came off the bench in two of LA’s four postseason games this year as he helped the club win their third MLS Cup.

This is the list of players that will participate in camp.

GOALKEEPERS (4): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire), Zac MacMath (Philadelphia Union)

DEFENDERS (8): Gale Agbossoumonde (Eintracht Frankfurt), Royal-Dominique Fennell (Stuttgarter Kickers), Sebastien Ibeagha (Duke), Kofi Sarkodie (Houston Dynamo), Zarek Valentin (Montreal Impact), Jorge Villafana (Chivas USA), Andrew Wenger (Duke), Sheanon Williams (Philadelphia Union)

MIDFIELDERS (10): Freddy Adu (Philadelphia Union), Bryan Arguez (Montreal Impact), Joe Corona (Club Tijuana), Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo), Mikkel Diskerud (Stabæk), Dilly Duka (Columbus Crew), Jared Jeffrey (Mainz), Sebastian Lletget (West Ham United), Amobi Okugo (Philadelphia Union), Michael Stephens (LA Galaxy)

FORWARDS (6): Will Bruin (Houston Dynamo), Teal Bunbury (Sporting KC), Jann George (Nürnberg), Joe Gyau (Hoffenheim), Jack McInerney (Philadelphia Union), Andrew Wooten (Kaiserslautern)

Spring Training in Tucson

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy will be participating in a preseason tournament in Tucson, Arizona. The tournament, the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, will take place Feb. 22-Mar. 3 at Kino Stadium.

On Feb. 22, LA will take on the New England Revolution. Feb. 25 will see the Galaxy face Real Salt Lake. And on Feb. 29, a mouth-watering showdown between Los Angeles and the New York Red Bulls will take place.

"The LA Galaxy are excited to participate in the 2nd annual FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup,” Arena told reporters. “Tucson is an outstanding venue for our preseason as we prepare for the CONCACAF Champions League and the MLS regular season.

"We look forward to the outstanding weather, facilities and hospitality that Tucson has to offer and look forward a challenging competition."