Not being selected in the MLS SuperDraft forced a determined Troy Elgersma to revise his plan and take a different approach.
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“I spent 3½ years at American University in D.C. and after college, I went on trials at a couple of places and then ended up on trial with the (Galaxy’s) second team. And from there, I just kind of worked my way up,” he said.
Elgersma joined Ventura County FC and in May signed a first-team contract with the Galaxy through the end of the season, with options for the 2027 sprint season and 2027-28 and 2028-29 full seasons.
The Redlands native made his first-team debut May 2 in a late-game sub spot against the Vancouver Whitecaps. Last Saturday, he added to his young highlight reel, scoring his first MLS goal in the Galaxy’s 3-1 loss against St. Louis CITY SC.
“When (David) Beckham was here and Landon (Donovan) was here, I remember growing up, sitting with my family in the crowd,” Elgersma said Wednesday. “This is the club I grew up supporting, so it really feels unreal right now.
“I’m always ready to step up, whether that’s me pushing hard in training and making sure the guys that are going to be playing the 90 minutes are ready, or if it’s like tonight (Wednesday) where I’m ready to work hard for 20 minutes and hopefully get a goal like I did … whatever is needed, I’m ready for it.”
With the Galaxy void of healthy bodies, Elgersma is expected to receive extended minutes, starting with Saturday’s California Clasico against San Jose. Erik Thommy (foot) remains out. Marco Reus left Wednesday’s game early but didn’t appear on the injury list. Defenders Jakob Glesnes (yellow-card accumulation) and Emiro Garces (red card) are also out.
“He’s a hard-working kid, blue-collar kid,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Elgersma. “Runs hard. Works hard. He’s got a ton of energy. He’s a kid who has played like every position. Literally he’s played nine, wing, growing up he’s played fullback, midfield, every position. So good athlete. Good sort of energy on the field.
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“So tonight we used him as a nine (forward) and brings us a little bit of some running, some chasing, some tracking and he gets himself into some good spots. He’s a good soccer player, so he’s going to grow with opportunity. We’ll figure out what’s the best place for him, but right now we are using him everywhere because that’s where we’re at.”
Elgersma, 22, said his relationship with Galaxy defender Harbor Miller has helped him get acclimated. Miller’s run on the play eventually led to Elgersma’s goal.
“I actually met Troy before he came to the Galaxy,” Miller said. “We trained in the offseason and he was telling me his goal was to get drafted. I was like, ‘Dude, that’s going to be amazing.’ Long story short, (he) ends up going undrafted and then one day I see him in the facility. He’s like, ‘I’m on trial with the second team.’ I was like, amazing … that’s great.
“He’s one of those guys that will bring that effort and will bring that heart to fight for the badge, which when I grew up, that is a nonnegotiable from my family and just the way I grew up, that always needs to be there. So I have a lot of respect for him because I know that he always brings that every single day and I can see it on the training field. Respect to him because he worked his way from barely joining the second team and then now signing with the first team.”
CONCACAF Championship call-ups
Ruben Ramos Jr. and Dylan Vanney will be with the U.S. U-20 championships, starting Saturday in Mexico. The U.S. will open against Haiti (7 p.m.), followed by games against El Salvador (7 p.m. Tuesday) and Cuba (7 p.m. July 31).
The tournament also serves as the qualifying competition for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2027 and the 2028 Men’s Olympic competition. The four semifinalists secure a spot in the World Cup.
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Galaxy academy product Gabriel Arnold will be competing with El Salvador.
GALAXY at SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford
How to watch: Apple TV