St. Francis alum Pete Vagenas named vice president of soccer operations for L.A. Galaxy

Pete Vagenas enjoyed a decorated soccer career at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

Vagenas helped St. Francis High win a CIF Southern Section championship in 1996 before moving on to UCLA and playing on the 1997 NCAA Division I title squad. The midfielder then won a pair of Major League Soccer Cup championships with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Vagenas will offer a fresh perspective from another level after he was named vice president of soccer operations for the Galaxy on Wednesday.

Vagenas, who was previously director of the Galaxy Academy in 2013, will be in charge of overseeing operations of the Galaxy Academy, Galaxy II and Galaxy first team with coach/general manager Bruce Arena.

“Peter’s dedication has been an instrumental part of the development and success of our academy,” Galaxy President Chris Klein stated on the team website. “He is one of our club’s most storied and successful players and has been committed to the growth of the L.A. Galaxy on and off the field for over a decade. This move continues to align our soccer operations from academy through our first team. We are thrilled to have Pete take an expanded role within our club.”

While serving as the Galaxy academy director, Vagenas helped mold it into a successful program. According to the team website, 15 academy players were signed to professional contracts for the L.A. Galaxy and L.A. Galaxy II.

Vagenas, a former All-CIF selection at St. Francis, played 13 seasons in the MLS. He competed for the Galaxy for nine seasons, helping them win crowns in 2002 and 2005. He participated in 183 regular season matches for the Galaxy, starting in 164. He collected 14 goals and 25 assists for the Galaxy. He added two goals and two assists in 19 postseason contests for Los Angeles.

Vagenas played for the United States men’s soccer team in the 2000 Olympics, scoring three goals. He was drafted by the Galaxy in the second round in 2000. Vagenas also played for the Seattle Sounders FC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Chivas USA before retiring after the 2012 season.

“I’m excited for him,” St. Francis Coach Glen Appels said. “He was something special from the time he began at St. Francis and we got to see him grow at each level.

“He’s an intelligent guy whose understanding the game of soccer is one of his strengths.”