[DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY SPOTLIGHT] The star-studded Los Angeles Galaxy’s U-17/18 academy team clinched an automatic berth in the Development Academy playoffs whenit beat Arsenal FC, 5-1, on Saturday.
UC Santa Barbara-bound Drew Murphy led the Galaxy, who also got goals from former U.S. U-17 Mario Rodriguez,Jaime Villarreal and Oscar Sorto.
Goalie Juan Cervantes anddefenders Javan Torre and Sorto had started on Pateadores, last year’s U-17/18 national championship team, before joining the Galaxy.
Fresnoproduct Nathan Smith was in the U.S. U-17 residency program with Rodriguez.
The Galaxy is one point ahead of Chivas USA with one game to play inthe SoCal Division. RSL AZ and Pateadores also have a shot at making the playoffs as wild-card teams.
The Galaxy is 11-3-1 in division play and 19-4-3 overall. Its 2.31 points per game isthird in the country behind only the Chicago Fire and FC Dallas.