Emerging Talent for LA Galaxy: Ruben Ramos Jr.

Hailing from La Puente, California, Ramos reached a milestone on February 19th when he inked his inaugural professional contract with the LA Galaxy, a three-year deal set to commence in 2025. This year, he will ply his trade with the second team in MLS Next Pro.,,

Ramos's signing makes him the 19th academy graduate to secure a professional contract with the LA Galaxy, ranking as the third youngest behind Efrain Alvarez and Jack McBean. Notably, in 2023, he played a pivotal role in LA Galaxy U-17's triumph in the MLS Next championship, starting in the final and contributing two goals and an assist throughout the season. Ruben Ramos also made 9 appearances in which scored two goals (one against Kansas City II and the other against Portland Timbers 2) and 1 assist which was against San Jose Earthquakes II.

His 2024 campaign began successful, featuring prominently in the first team's preseason games and leaving a favorable impression on the coaching staff. Renowned for his versatility as a winger or center forward, Ramos exhibits astute off-the-ball movement and a clinical touch in the final third. Additionally, he showcases a strong work ethic, contributing defensively and aiding in transitional play.

Ramos's burgeoning career also extends to the international stage, with his recently inclusion in the 2007 age group national team camp in the next week. In 2022, he was part of the American U-15 youth team that participated in the Torneo Delle Nazioni, where he scored 2 goals in 4 games, standing out as one of the most outstanding players. In September of that year, he took part in a camp with the Mexico U-16 team, and then in November 2022, he traveled with the American U-16 team to Spain, where he played three friendlies against Spain, Wales, and England. In 2023, he also joined the U-17 team that traveled to the Czech Republic to play friendlies ahead of the U-17 World Cup.

USL Championship Players to Watch

The USL Championship will begin this next weekend and we’ve crafted a list on players to watch for the upcoming season.

• Nate Worth (2007): The central midfielder already has extensive experience as a professional, in 2023 he played 18 games with FC Tulsa and scored a goal on the last day in a 5-2 victory against Hartford. A central midfielder with great technical quality and passing ability, Nate will have a 2024, at only 17, of vital importance for his team.

• Isaiah Kaakoush (2008): The central defender or defensive midfielder had a very outstanding pre-season with Phoenix Rising starting against the Portland Timbers and making a very good impression. Kaakoush stands out for his passing ability as a defender but he is also a leader on the field willing to learn. In 2024 he will be a player to watch.

• Ramiz Hamouda (2008): Another very promising central defender on this list. Hamouda signed with Birmingham Legion after leaving Sporting Kansas City. He will need some time to adjust to the professional game but 2024 could be an important year in his development as a player.

• Da'vian Kimbrough (2010): The youngest player in history to debut as a professional in the United States, Kimbrough seems to show that he is prepared to be a professional and Sacramento Republic has a high-level prospect on his team. Reports indicate that he left a very good impression in the pre-season where also scored against Colorado Switchback in a friendly and stood out with Mexico U-15 national team in a series of friendlies in Spain where he scored 4 goals in 3 games . 2024 for Kimbrough will be a vital year for this young player.

• Chibuike Ukaegbu (2007): Recently signed with Sacramento Republic and this weekend scored his first goal in a friendly against Monterey Bay. Physically strong and mobile, Ukaegbu will be talked about this season.

Ashton Gordon Secures Jamaica's Concacaf Qualification

Ashton Gordon, a rising talent born in 2007, recently made waves by signing a professional contract with Atlanta United 2 in the MLS Next Pro. His pivotal performance and goal for Jamaica in a 3-2 triumph over Bermuda secured their qualification for the upcoming Concacaf U-20 championship in Mexico. Gordon showcased his skills across all three matches, facing tough opponents such as Martinique, Grenada, and Bermuda.

Alongside Gordon, other promising dual-national prospects made their mark in the Concacaf U-20 qualifiers. DeCarlo Guerra, born in 2008 and the youngest player on the Guatemala U-20 squad, played a crucial role as a defensive midfielder in all four games, contributing to their qualification. Olger Escobar and Matthew Evans also played vital roles, with Escobar netting a crucial goal against Curacao and Evans impressively scoring four goals in as many games.

Christopher Argueta, a talented center forward from the DC United academy born in 2007, played a significant part in El Salvador's qualification for the final phase. Argueta found the back of the net in the opening game against Turks and Caicos Islands and later scored in a convincing 3-0 win over Suriname.

Scores, Surprises, and Results

In the U-15 category, Real Salt Lake secured a 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC, with goals from Javier Martinez and Van Parker for the home team and a consolation goal from Darian Rus for LAFC.

Los Angeles FC and Real Salt Lake delivered a thrilling encounter, with Los Angeles FC edging out a 5-4 victory in a match characterized by end-to-end action. Luca Moisa opened the scoring within the first minute, followed by a brace from Zavier Gozo for Real Salt Lake. Despite trailing 3-0, Los Angeles FC fought back with a brace from James Arteaga and a goal from Adrian Aguilar equalized the score. In the 64th minute Charlie Rosenthal made 4-3 but Omar Marquez quickly equalized. In the 76th minute Charlie Rosenthal again scored and made the final score 5-4.

Philadelphia Union U-17 continued their impressive form with a convincing 4-1 win over FC Delco, with goals from Diego Rocio, Luca Mazzola, Jamir Johnson, and Anisse Saidi. Ronan Harding managed to score for FC Delco. The U-15 squad of Philadelphia Union also secured victory, narrowly defeating FC Delco 1-0 courtesy of Tyler Gladstone's goal in the 17th minute