CARSON, CA (April 18, 2017) – The LA Galaxy have acquired forward Jack McInerney. The 24-year-old last played for the Portland Timbers in 2016, but has spent most of his professional career with the Philadelphia Union. McInerney will be available for Sunday’s match against the Seattle Sounders.
Jack McInerney Signs With LA Galaxy And What It Means
McInerney was drafted by the Union in 2010. He played 95 games for the club from 2010-2014, scoring 25 goals. He had a career high 13 goals in 2013. He was traded to the Montreal Impact in 2014 for Andrew Wenger. He then had stints with the Columbus Crew and Portland Timbers. The forward was released from the Timbers prior to the start of the 2017 regular season.
“Jack is a young and experienced player in MLS who has shown that he can score goals in this league,” said General Manager Pete Vagenas. He added that “he will give our team valuable depth at the forward position throughout the season. We look forward to Jack joining the team this week ahead of Sunday’s game.”
Internationally, McInerney has represented the United States at various youth levels. He scored 11 goals in 15 caps with the U-17s. He hasn’t been too involved in the senior team, but was a part of the squad in the Group Stage of the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
What This Signing Means For The LA Galaxy:
This is a depth move. I don’t see McInerney starting anytime soon with Gyasi Zardes finally healthy. Jack Mack has had mixed success the last few seasons as a super sub goal scorer. He will bring a different skill set. Jack McBean is a No. 9. McInerney is more of a streaker and a poacher.
There’s a part of this I don’t understand though: With all the talk the Galaxy front office has made about giving their kids a chance, this signing takes away minutes from those players.
McInerney isn’t that different from Ariel Lassiter. He probably just unseeded Lassiter as the fourth striker option (behind Zardes, Giovani dos Santos, and McBean). Any chance for Raul Mendiola and Jose Villarreal to get minutes at forward is probably gone now. They’ll be reduced to wide midfielders. They’ll probably get chances to play with Sebastian Lletget out.
Does this add depth and experience at the forward position? Absolutely. But this move seems to retract from the Galaxy’s philosophy for the 2017 season. And it does so with a player who’s mostly been a spare part the last few season.
Transaction: LA Galaxy acquire forward Jack McInerney on a first come, first served basis after clearing waivers
Name: Jack McInerney
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Weight: 151 lbs.
Born: Aug. 5, 1992
Age: 24
Last Club: Portland Timbers
Birthplace: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Citizenship: U.S.
