LA Galaxy Academy adds pair of former MLS players to coaching staff

LOS ANGELES – Former LA Galaxy players Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas have joined the LA Galaxy Academy coaching staff.

The LA Galaxy central midfield duo that led the club to the 2012 and 2014 MLS Cup titles will return to play a key role in the LA Galaxy’s youth development structure.

“Juninho and Marcelo are club legends that bring extensive experience to our Academy coaching staff,” said LA Galaxy Director of Methodology and Development Juan Carlos Ortega. “They are intimately familiar with our club, standards and culture and will make a strong impact on our youth players and their development for years to come. We are thrilled to add them to our Academy staff.”

The Brazilian duo represented the LA Galaxy together from 2012-2014, forming one of the best midfield tandems in Major League Soccer over the course of their three seasons together. Their play in midfield was crucial in helping the LA Galaxy capture their fourth and fifth MLS Cup trophies.

“I am honored to return to the LA Galaxy and be a part of developing our youth players on the Academy level,” said Juninho. “The LA Galaxy have given so much to me throughout my career and I am eager to continue to represent this club and invest in our future.”

Juninho announced his retirement from professional soccer this week. The 31-year-old Brazilian midfielder ended his professional career with as one of the most successful midfielders in club history, helping the club capture two MLS Supporters’ Shields and three MLS Cup victories. His 189 appearances for the club are the second-most of any midfielder, trailing only Mauricio Cienfuegos (206).

“It is extremely exciting to join a club that has been so special to me,” said Sarvas. “The Galaxy are a club with rich history, unparalleled success and deep roots in Los Angeles and I look forward to helping cultivate talent in our region to help them become players of high quality and character.”

Sarvas joined the LA Galaxy in 2012 and remained with the team through the end of the 2014 season, helping lead the teams to the 2012 and 2014 MLS Cups. Following his time with the LA Galaxy, the midfielder played for the Colorado Rapids (2015) and D.C. United (2016-2017). In his MLS career, he tallied 166 appearances, 12 goals and 23 assists.

The LA Galaxy will officially return to action when they open the MLS is Back Tournament with a match against the Portland Timbers on Monday, July 13 before facing LAFC on Saturday, July 18 and the Houston Dynamo on Thursday, July 23 in Orlando, Florida.