Chandler Hoffman ready to break through with Los Angeles Galaxy
Feb 15, 2014; Fresno, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy forward Chandler Hoffman (30) blocks out San Jose Earthquakes defender Joe Sofia (27) in the second half at Chukchansi Park. The Galaxy defeated the Earthquakes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Galaxy II forward Chandler Hoffman was named to the USL PRO Team of the Week for Week 11 of the 2014 USL PRO season after scoring in LosDos’s 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders reserves. Defender Daniel Steres and midfielder Andre Auras were named as Honorable Mentions. Hoffman believes the time has come for him to finally shine as a part of the first team.
“I am feeling really good right now,” Hoffman told LAGalaxy.com’s Adam Serrano on Tuesday. “I feel like every time I step on the field, I am going to score. I talked to Bruce last week about what he would like to see from me. He talked about link-up play. Just make the conscious effort to come back, sometimes when there is a little chance, find a way to get the ball and create chances as oppose to always being in the box, and continuing to focus on what I am doing well, which is scoring goals.
“I have yet to play a MLS minute for the LA Galaxy, which has been hard to do, because I haven’t been consistently scoring goals. But I’m working hard. It is part of the grind, and it is part of being with the Galaxy when we are loaded up top, but when I get an opportunity, I am ready.”
“He’s doing well,” said Los Angeles Galaxy manager Bruce Arena. “He’s always been a goal scorer and his match fitness has improved, but we still like to see him a little bit more involved in the game even though one of the great skills in this sport is scoring goals and he’s done that.”
Here is the complete list of players who made the USL PRO Team of the Week.
| Pos | Player | Team | Highlights |
| GK | Patrick McLain | Orange County | Seven-save shutout was key in Blues win against Arizona |
| D | Peabo Doue | Oklahoma City | Strong down the left side as Energy took victory |
| D | Kyle Hoffer | Rochester | Rhinos’ defense earned two shutouts with Hoffer at center |
| D | Brian Fekete | Pittsburgh | Scored opening goal as Riverhounds drew with Harrisburg |
| M | Manny Aparicio | Wilmington | Had opening goal as Hammerheads continued winning form |
| M | Michael Thomas | Oklahoma City | Scored dramatic winner as Energy claimed first home win |
| M | Kyle Porter | Richmond | Stoppage-time goal earned Kickers victory in Harrisburg |
| M | Kevin Molino | Orlando | Strong throughout, had goal and assist against Charleston |
| F | Jimmy McLaughlin | Harrisburg | Outstanding solo effort earned a point against Pittsburgh |
| F | Allan Russell | Orange County | Scored the opening goal as Orange County got key victory |
| F | Chandler Hoffman | LA Galaxy II | Had the only goal as Los Dos took victory in Seattle |
Honorable Mention – Arizona: Evan Newton, Schillo Tschuma; Charleston: Mamadou Diouf; Charlotte:Drew Yates; Dayton: Guilherme Felix; Harrisburg: Morgan Langley, Luan Silva; LA Galaxy II: Daniel Steres, Andre Auras; Oklahoma City: Christian Duke, Philip Lund; Orange County: Mehrshad Momeni, Chris Cortez; Orlando: Mikey Lopez, Adama Mbengue; Pittsburgh: Mike Green, Collins John; Richmond:Jared Jeffrey, Hugh Roberts; Rochester: Donnie Smith, Levi Houapeu; Wilmington: Sammy Ochoa, Steven Miller.
While the Galaxy are facing Chivas USA this weekend at StubHub Center, the Galaxy could be facing the Goats again in the fifth round of the U.S. Open Cup if they defeat Arizona United. However, Los Angeles could be facing a rematch with their bogey team in this competition, the Carolina RailHawks. If the Galaxy can take this competition seriously and treat every match like a must-win MLS game, there is no reason why Los Angeles should not do well in this tournament.