Galaxy forward Preston Judd confident heading into expanded role

LA Galaxy forward Preston Judd looks for an open teammate against the Seattle Sounders during the second half of an MLS match at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. on Saturday, April 1, 2023. The Seattle Sounders won 2-1. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

With Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez sidelined for the remainder of the season and Dejan Joveljic away with the Serbian national team, Preston Judd is the next forward in line for the Galaxy.

Judd, 24, has appeared in 10 games.

“He’s going to get a run,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of Judd. “It’s a great opportunity for Preston to step in and show his value. He’s a hard forward to deal with for center-backs and we’ve seen that. I thought he had a solid performance against Portland when he started earlier in the season. So it’s another opportunity for him.”

Without Hernandez, Joveljic and Judd will get more opportunities as they pick up the slack left by Hernandez’s injury.

In his only start this season, Judd went 90 minutes against Portland (March 25) and had five shots. His lone goal came on May 6 against Colorado.

“The past few years and even in college, I based myself off of confidence and how I’m training and being consistent in those training sessions,” Judd said. “So when I do get an opportunity like this, I’m ready to go and ready to help my team and hopefully win the game.

“I’m not really nervous, I’m more excited because I’m confident about the work I’ve put in and I’m confident of what I can do Wednesday.”

Confidence is part of Judd’s journey.

“It comes from just putting in the work every day,” he said. “My coach in college always told me that if you work hard every day and you never have any regrets on the field, then you’re always confident in yourself and your talent and your work.”

Judd was drafted by the Galaxy in 2021 out of the University of Denver. In his first season with Galaxy 2, he scored 17 goals. Last season, he scored 13.

“Being behind two great players like Javier (Hernandez) and Dejan (Joveljic), in practices or games, watching their movement off of the ball, that’s something I need to work on and they’re two of the best in the league,” Judd said. “It’s been great to watch and learn and now I’m trying to put their best attributes into my game.”

Judd and the Galaxy (3-9-4, 13 points) will be hosting Sporting Kansas City (5-9-5, 20 points) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+). Kansas City has lost only once in its last nine games (5-2-2).

“They’ve found their stride and momentum since they’ve gotten healthy,” Vanney said. “We know we have a team coming in that has some confidence and some clarity in themselves. To be fair, they had players out, but when you’re missing difference-makers, it’s going to impact you on the results side of things.”

Jalen Neal reports for USMNT duty

Neal, who has become a consistent starter on the back line, will be away with the U.S. men’s national team for the upcoming CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The first game for the U.S. is Saturday against Jamaica. Neal would miss as many as six games if the U.S. advances to the final (July 16).

“These moments for us aren’t great in our current situation,” Vanney said. “But for him, they’re great experiences. He’s going to be playing international soccer in a tournament environment with another set of experienced players.

“The national team is his future and whenever you’re a young player and you get this exposure at international levels, they’re only going to help you learn and grow.”

Neal has made 16 appearances so far this season. Chris Mavinga is in line to replace him at one of the center-back spots.

Aaron Bibout gets a look

Bibout, 18, has opened the MLS Next Pro season with Galaxy 2 with eight goals. He’s spent the last week or so training with the first team.

“He’s been excellent in training,” Vanney said. “He’s been really good. Hard-working, very good at his hold-up play, his movements in and around the box are smart. Out here, he’s been banging in goals with us which has been impressive to watch. He’s young and he needs more experience and some subtleties to continue to grow in his game. He has some really interesting qualities.”