Future Watch: Efrain Alvarez Rookie Soccer Cards, LA Galaxy – One of the most gifted young players in MLS is 17-year old LA Galaxy attacking midfielder Efrain Alvarez. The talent and soccer smarts are easy to spot for this young man from Los Angeles. Alvarez had three assists in 14 MLS appearances this season, which only recently ended for the Galaxy. He has even impressed his world class teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Alvarez is clearly physically gifted with the football on either of his feet. He is not blazing fast but plays quick and moves very well with or without the football in tight spaces. While his left foot is absolutely deadly and has a light touch, Alvarez can make defenders pay with his right if they overcommit. One thing that has stuck out to me when watching him is his soccer IQ, ability to read the game and make plays others simply cannot see. Plus, he has scored some truly unbelievable goals at the USL level for LA Galaxy II. Alvarez tallied 12 goals in 18 games for Los Dos in 2018.
While the young phenom has played at youth national levels for both the United States and Mexico, it appears El Tri have the inside track in cap tying Alvarez for the future. He was named to the Mexico squad for the U-17 World Cup which is going on now in Brazil. It is the perfect stage for Alvarez to continue to build his soccer resume, this time in front of scouts from massive clubs all over the world.
The Galaxy have been cautious and smart in their approach to giving playing time to this very young potential superstar. It is sure to pay off for them as well as the player. The sky is the limit for Efrain Alvarez.
Collectors can find his cards in 2019 Topps MLS Soccer.
Follow him on Twitter @efrain_alvarez1.
Future Watch: Efrain Alvarez Rookie Soccer Cards, LA Galaxy – Stats
| Playing Time | Offense | Defense | Expected | Per 90 Minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Age | Squad | Country | Comp | LgRank | Apps | Starts | Min | Mn/Ap | Gls | Ast | PK | PKatt | SoT | Fls | CrdY | CrdR | xG | npxG | xA | Gls | G+A | G-PK | G+A-PK | SoT | xG | xG+xA | npxG | npxG+xA | Matches |
| 2017 | 14 | LA Galaxy II | us USA | 2. USL | 27th | 1 | 0 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | 2.00 | 0.00 | 2.00 | 0.00 | Matches | |||||||
| 2018 | 15 | LA Galaxy II | us USA | 2. USL | 26th | 17 | 13 | 1,238 | 73 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0.87 | 1.09 | 0.87 | 1.09 | 1.24 | Matches | |||||||
| 2019 | 16 | LA Galaxy II | us USA | 2. USL Champ | 17th | 2 | 2 | 180 | 90 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.50 | Matches | |||||||
| 2019 | 16 | LA Galaxy | us USA | 1. MLS | 8th | 14 | 4 | 517 | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.87 | 0.11 | 0.28 | 0.11 | 0.28 | Matches |
| 3 Seasons* | 2 Clubs | 2 Leagues | 34 | 19 | 1,980 | 58 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 23 | 18 | 5 | 1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.59 | 0.91 | 0.55 | 0.86 | 1.05 | 0.11 | 0.28 | 0.11 | 0.28 | ||||
| Country | Comp | LgRank | Apps | Starts | Min | Mn/Ap | Gls | Ast | PK | PKatt | SoT | Fls | CrdY | CrdR | xG | npxG | xA | Gls | G+A | G-PK | G+A-PK | SoT | xG | xG+xA | npxG | npxG+xA | Matches | |||
| LA Galaxy II (3 Seasons) | 1 League | 20 | 15 | 1,463 | 73 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0.80 | 1.05 | 0.74 | 0.98 | 1.11 | ||||||||||||
| LA Galaxy (1 Season) | 1 League | 14 | 4 | 517 | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.87 | 0.11 | 0.28 | 0.11 | 0.28 | |||||
| USL Champ (3 Seasons) | 20 | 15 | 1,463 | 73 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0.80 | 1.05 | 0.74 | 0.98 | 1.11 | |||||||||||||
| MLS (1 Season) | 14 | 4 | 517 | 37 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.00 | 0.52 | 0.87 | 0.11 | 0.28 | 0.11 | 0.28 | ||||||
Future Watch: Efrain Alvarez Rookie Soccer Cards, LA Galaxy – More Resources
For more from Dave Denholm, follow him on Twitter @TalkSoccer.
Hosted afternoon sports talk show for two different Los Angeles sports talk stations. Pre/Post game radio host for various sports teams including the Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Angels, USC Football and UCLA basketball.
Currently on air at NBC sports radio, ESPN, Total Traffic & Weather Network and Fox sports.
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