Galaxy’s USL Pro affiliate makes history by signing 15-year-old

The Galaxy’s drive for a record fifth Major League Soccer title is stuck in neutral after last Saturday’s scoreless draw with Real Salt Lake in the first game of the two-leg Western Conference semifinals. But the franchise did make history in another way on Monday when its USL Pro affiliate, L.A. Galaxy II, signed 15-year goalkeeper Eric Lopez, making him the youngest player ever to sign a USL Pro contract.

Lopez, from Westminster, has played at every level of the Galaxy Academy system, starting with the U-13 team. He has also made several U.S. Soccer Academy rosters, most recently earning his first call-up to the U-17 national team in January.

Previously midfielder Jaime Villarreal had been the only Galaxy Academy player to sign with L.A. Galaxy II.

“Eric is a young goalkeeper with a lot of potential to grow into a top player,” L.A. Galaxy II Coach Curt Onalfo said in a team news release. “We look forward to developing him as both a player and a person.”

As for the big-league club, the Galaxy rejoins it playoff series with Real Salt Lake on Sunday at the StubHub Center in Carson needing a victory to advance to the conference final.

Twitter: @kbaxter11