This Is the Los Angeles Galaxy: Andrew Boyens

This is Part Two in a series of articles on the players who will be playing for the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2012.

New Zealand is not a footballing powerhouse per se.

While they are the strongest country in the Oceania Football Confederation, the All Whites are ranked 119th in the world, according to the November 2011 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings.

One of those All Whites is going to be donning another mostly-white garb. That player in particular: defender Andrew Boyens, who has made 19 appearances to date for his national team.

A defender with plenty of Major League Soccer and World Cup experience under his belt, Boyens will look to add an MLS Cup to his list of accomplishments.

Boyens was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and spent his childhood in Napier. Boyens broke onto the scene as a defender for semi-pro side Dunedin Technical in 2002, and after receving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Otago, Boyens continued his collegiate career playing for the New Mexico Lobos from 2004-2006.

After wrapping up his college soccer days in Albuquerque, Boyens returned to New Zealand to play for New Zealand Football Championship side Otago United from 2006-2007. His skills as a center-back were prized, and in 2007, Boyens was selected by Toronto FC as the 10th overall selection in the MLS SuperDraft.

Boyens spent his first seasons with the Reds, making 23 appearances and scoring once. In 2008, he was traded to the New York Red Bulls and made 33 league appearances from 2008-2010.

In 2011, Boyens was traded to Chivas USA. However, he only made 12 appearances for the side, scoring once. At the conclusion of the 2011 season, Boyens was on the list of players that the Goats were offloading in the Re-Entry Draft.

On Dec. 12, the Los Angeles Galaxy picked Andrew Boyens in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft as part of the club's plans to add depth behind Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza.

All in all, Boyens may not have struck it rich with Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls or Chivas USA, but playing for the best club in MLS now gives this Kiwi a chance to finally win some silverware.