March 20. 2019
12:22 PM MDT
Casa Grande Arizona – Barca Residency Alumni Julian Araujo made his official MLS debut with LA Galaxy on Saturday, March 16, 2019 as Galaxy defeated Minnesota United FC 3-2 in front of their home crowd.
Araujo came on as a sub in the 85th minute for starter Chris Pontius.
Araujo, 17, joined Barca Residency Academy last year in academy’s inaugural 2017-18 season. As the captain of the DA U16/17s, he helped lead the team to a third-place finish at the U.S. Development Academy Championships. A DA standout, Araujo earned All-West Conference Best XI honors as a defender and was a regular with the U.S. Soccer U-18 Men’s National team.
Prior to joining Barca Residency Academy, Araujo attended Lompoc High School where he led his team to the CIF Southern Division 4 playoffs during the 2016-17 season. Araujo also played club for the Santa Barbara Soccer Club.
Araujo joined the LA Galaxy system in the summer of 2018 before signing with the first team on March 1, 2019. “Julian is one of the best young defenders in Southern California and we’re thrilled that he’s chosen to begin his professional career with the LA Galaxy,” said LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese.
“We would also like to thank Santa Barbara Soccer Club and BarcaResidency Academy for their role in his development as a person and a player.”
Araujo and the LA Galaxy (2-1-0) will host the Portland Timbers at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday, March 31 at 6pm PT. The match will be nationally televised on ESPN2.
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