LOS ANGELES (Friday, December 17, 2021) – The LA Galaxy II today announced that Head Coach Junior Gonzalez will be leaving the club to join the Chicago Fire FC coaching staff as an assistant coach under new head coach Ezra Hendrickson.
“It was an honor to work for the LA Galaxy organization,” Gonzalez said. “As a product of the local LA football community, I will be eternally grateful to have the experience to help in the development process of these young professionals. I wish the club and organization success as I go. for a new role in Chicago.
In three seasons as head coach of LA Galaxy II (2019-21), Gonzalez posted a 26-25-12 regular season record in the USL Championship, guiding Los Dos to two playoff appearances (2019 , 2020).
“We are grateful for Junior’s contributions to the LA Galaxy and LA Galaxy II family over the years,” LA Galaxy Head Coach Greg Vanney said. “We are proud that he is taking this step forward and reuniting with former Galaxy player Ezra Hendrickson in Chicago as he moves on to the next chapter of his coaching career. We are grateful for his time with our club and him. wish the best for the future.”
On July 19, 2019, Gonzalez was named the interim head coach of LA Galaxy II, leading Los Dos to a 7-4-4 regular season record and help the club qualify for the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs. After being named the permanent head coach of Galaxy II on January 8, 2020, Gonzalez guided Los Dos to an 8-6-2 record in the 2020 USL Championship regular season campaign, helping Galaxy advance to the 2020 USL Championship playoffs. During the 2021 USL Championship campaign, Gonzalez led LA to a record of 11-15-6. He originally joined the organization as an LA Galaxy assistant coach ahead of the 2018 MLS season.
LA Galaxy II began the process of identifying a new head coach following Gonzalez’s departure.