Los Angeles Galaxy sign Jamieson, Mendiola to Homegrown contracts

Nov 3, 2013; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy fans during the Western Conference Semifinal Leg 1 game against Real Salt Lake at StubHub Center. Galaxy won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Bruce Arena’s Los Angeles Galaxy have an eye to the future, and on Thursday, they signed 17-year old forward Bradford Jamieson VI and 19-year old Raul Mendiola to professional contracts as Homegrown Players. As per league and club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Jamieson is a US youth international, having played for the U-15 and U-17 teams and been part of the US U-17 Residency program for four semesters. A vital part of the Galaxy Academy and a transfer from Chivas USA, Jamieson scored three goals in 11 appearances.

We are thrilled to add Bradford Jamieson IV to our roster and continue our tradition of signing local players to the Galaxy,” said Arena. “Bradford is a talented forward who will continue to develop and grow as a player within our system.”

Mendiola was the back-to-back U-16 Development Academy Player of the Year in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons and featured in nine Reserve League games with Los Angeles.

“We are pleased to add Raul Mendiola to our roster,” Arena said of the signing. “Raul is a talented player and his addition to the team exemplifies the strength of our Academy and player development structure.”

As for the rest of the players, Arena is satisfied with how things are working out among the other news faces in the crowd, such as Rob Friend, Baggio Husidic, Stefan Ishizaki and Samuel.

“You never know until the real games come around,” Arena told LAGalaxy.com’s Larry Morgan, “but I think they’re doing well. It’s been a good preseason.

“It hasn’t been too rushed; I think we’ve had a method to our madness here, and I think it’s paid some dividends. I’m hopeful over the next couple of weeks we can clean it up a little bit more and be prepared for the first three games of the season.

“Just a player like Samuel from Brazil where the game is a little slower-paced, perhaps a little more technical, then the culture’s different. You’ve got to adjust to all those things as a player and a person. I think Baggio has been through this before, so it’s not as hard.

“I think Rob Friend has a better feel for it since he’s Canadian. He played in college here (at UC Santa Barbara) and he has a little better understanding. He comes from a league that’s probably a little faster and a little more physical as well. He’s probably a little more suited than a player like Samuel to adjust in the short-term.”