Los Angeles Galaxy will field USL Pro team in 2014

Jan 16, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Kevin Venter (New Mexico) poses for a photo after being selected as the number twenty-three overall pick in the second round to the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 2014 MLS Superdraft at Philadelphia Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Greene-USA TODAY Sports

Up until now, the news was unofficial, but now we can tell you that the Los Angeles Galaxy will indeed be fielding a USL Pro team, with their first games taking place in March. SB Nation’s Josie Becker was among the first to confirm that the Galaxy Reserves will officially be competing in the third division of American soccer.

A number of young prospects and perhaps some inexperienced players for the Galaxy, as well as some solid Academy stars, are expected to be on the reserve team, who open up their season against Sacramento Republic.

“That’s part of the reason we have the USL team,” said Bruce Arena to Becker this week. “We have the opportunity to get all these players playing and giving them the right opportunities to develop.”

The official schedule for USL Pro has yet to be released and an official announcement is set to arrive later the month or early next month, but what we can confirm is that Los Angeles will be in the first and third divisions of the American soccer pyramid.

Meanwhile, regarding first team news, Robbie Keane believes he has a future managing a club himself. So he will use the time to perhaps earn a coaching license. Well, actually, he was taking UEFA A and B Diploma courses with the Football Association of Ireland during the offseason, so there’s that.

“I just want it for when I do finish playing but I have just signed a two year contract and hopefully will play beyond that,” Keane told the Mail’s Kevin Kilbane. “I was apprehensive because you are out of your comfort zone but I was surprised when I got out there the first time and really enjoyed it.

“When you are on the training pitch you see things and as soon as I got out there and saw the picture I was surprised. It was a natural progression. What else am I going to do? I won’t go down the media road, I enjoy it out there every day too much.

“I’ve been very vocal about ex-players being involved, we don’t see it enough in Ireland but it is starting to happen in England and hopefully with this FAI course, others will get involved.”

Los Angeles open up their season on Feb. 8 against Armenian powerhouse side FC Shirak at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.