Meet 15-Year Old LA Galaxy Sensation Efrain Alvarez Who Had Eric Cantona In Awe

The United States football production line in recent years has been a hit and miss, as for every Christian Pulisic there's a Freddy Adu.

But one kid you should definitely be keeping tabs on at present is 15-year old sensation Efrain Alvarez, viewed as the next big thing stateside.

Credit: LA Galaxy

Used to playing with players much older than him from a young age, he had the legendary Eric Cantona gawking when the Frenchman, director of football at New York Cosmos at the time, watched him in action as an Under 9's player in training.

As per an in-depth profile on the official LA Galaxy website, the Manchester United icon said, "I've seen enough; I just want to watch this kid all day," - such was the impression Alvarez made on him.

Having come through the ranks at Galaxy, signing his professional contract in August 2017, Alvarez has already progressed from youth football to destroying grown men on a weekly basis, excelling for the club's second team in the USL, the league below the MLS.

After several games without featuring, the youngster has exploded into life in recent weeks and notched six goals in his last three games, including a brilliant brace against Portland Timbers 2 and a hat-trick against St. Louis FC - becoming the youngest player to score three in the USL in the process.

One of his strikes was a sumptuous solo goal that saw him send two players to the shops with his low sense of gravity and blistering quick feet - before supplying a composed finish into the far corner with his left peg.

Alvarez has a wand of a left foot but is anything but a one-trick pony, as he proved by scoring belters with either foot against Timbers. A right-footed volley from the edge of the area? No problem. A curling strike with his left after cutting it? Easy peasy.

In line for a first-team debut in the near future after taking part in pre-season training and being promoted to the squad, the East LA lad has elected to play for Mexico at national team level because of his Hispanic heritage.

Remember the name...

Featured Image Credit: LA Galaxy

Topics: Football News, Football, MLS, Soccer, Eric Cantona, LA Galaxy

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@https://twitter.com/JoshLawless_