LOS ANGELES – Efrain Alvarez is a lot like many 16-year-olds.
He worries about pimples and spends time with friends and family, but unlike others his age, he also boasts a natural game-changing ability that was on full display when he made his MLS debut on Saturday and helped his side earn a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire.
With the Galaxy trailing by one midway through the second half, head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto looked to the 16-year-old to turn the tide. Unfazed by the gravity of the situation, Alvarez answered the call, providing an assist on the equalizer, and then later starting the buildup to Zlatan Ibrahimoviu0107’s game-winner.