LA Galaxy have signed Tristan Brown (L) to their developmental roster. (LA Galaxy)

Small steps my friends, that is how Major League Soccer is doing it (unless you look at the current expansion situation). But in terms of growth in the US, small steps are the way to go for the league. We all know how important youth development is for the league and the country as a whole but yesterday we got word that things are about to get real big here.

The LA Galaxy have signed the first youth development player out of the youth system to a development contract. The Galaxy have signed forward Tristan Bowen to a multi-year contract, the club announced Wednesday. Bowen is also the first player in MLS history to be signed by a club through the league’s Youth Development Initiative that was unveiled just two years ago.

Big steps there for the league.

The 17-year old Van Nuys, Calif. native will occupy a spot on the Galaxy’s Developmental Roster after being selected as a member of Major League Soccer’s Generation adidas program, meaning that his salary will not count toward the club’s salary budget. Per team and league policy, details of the contract were not released.

“Tristan is an exciting and talented young player who has impressed me and all of our coaches during his time training with the club,” Galaxy General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena said. “He has many of the attributes which are required in order to become a good player in MLS and has shown the drive and desire to improve all areas of his game. We are excited to have him join the club and look forward to seeing him grow in a Galaxy uniform.”

Bowen has been a member of the US Under-18 and Under-20 National Teams. He was a member of the U-17 teams that represented the Galaxy at the 2007 and 2008 SUM Under-17 Cup in Colorado, as well as one of the top scorers for the Galaxy U-20 team that won the USL Super-20 League title this season. Continue Reading…