CARSON, Calif. – Rafael Garcia is aiming to contribute to the LA Galaxy's first team in 2015 after captaining the reserve squad last season, but if Bruce Arena and his staff want him to focus on the Galaxy II again, he'll do as he's asked.
The fourth-year midfielder, whose new contract, announced Monday, was signed a few weeks earlier after LA declined his option in December, is competing with a strong group of central midfielders – including Kenney Walker and Galaxy II standout Andre Auras – for the chance to play with the first team.
“As a competitor, as an athlete, you want to be with the best group,” Garcia said following Monday morning's training session at StubHub Center. “For me, my mentality is [to continue] toward the way I've been doing, consistently, and, obviously, the goal is to break into the 18 and from there be ready when opportunities are given to me.
“It [hasn't changed since] I came in my first year. I'm still the same player, I like to say I've improved, but it doesn't change anything. My mentality has been the same since day one. The coaching staff here really likes me, and they have confidence in me, so to me it's all about being ready when my number's called.”
Garcia saw action in just two first-team games last year, off the bench in a late-August win over Chivas USA and in their friendly against Manchester United, while making 26 appearances, with four goals and two assists, for Galaxy II in the third-tier USL PRO.
The midfielder from Canoga Park, in the San Fernando Valley, made 16 first-team competitive appearances in 2013 and started three CONCACAF Champions League games in both 2012 and 2013.
He knows what he needs to take the next step in his evolution.
“To be honest, it's just consistently playing with the first-team guys,” he said. “They play a different style than Galaxy II – you have different personnel – and for me, it would be to get to know them a little more. I was gone a lot of the time last year, so it does take a little adjustment. Being in there with the guys and getting to know their tendencies, playing with Juninho or with Kenney, all those guys. Kind of get back to what I was doing previous to being with Galaxy II.”
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There's been no talk about his role with Galaxy II in 2015, Garcia said, but he has no problem playing with the reserve side.
“Oh yeah, I'm open to all of that,” he said. “My goal is to keep improving, and the only way you do that is by playing games. There's no other way about it.”
