No Landon Donovan means Newport Beach’s Jack McBean gets in game

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A few injuries along with adjusted rules for the exhibition match allowed Galaxy forward Jack McBean to see his first non-reserve squad playing time Sunday against Manchester City.

McBean, a 16-year-old Newport Beach native, entered the match in the 65th minute, and quickly provided a threat during the Galaxy’s 7-6 shootout loss. The match ended regulation play tied at 1.

“It’s going to take some time, but from May to now we’ve seen improvement,” Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said of McBean’s progression. “He has a long way to go, and he knows that. His fitness as a professional certainly has to improve. His first touch has to improve.”

Just two minutes after entering the match, McBean nearly had a chance to score, but instead Manchester City defender Stefan Savic drew a yellow card while slowing McBean. The high-schooler also missed a penalty kick in the shootout, taking the Galaxy’s sixth attempt. He shot it to his right, but a diving save by Manchester City goalkeeper knocked the threat away without too much worry.

“To give a player like that this kind of exposure is a real positive,” Arena said. “Hopefully it gives him some motivation to continue to work hard and get better.”

The absence of both Landon Donovan and Juan Pablo Angel made space for McBean. The two forwards did not dress for Sunday’s game thanks to a right calf strain and a left calf/achilles tendon contusion, respectively.

The right calf strain will also keep Donovan out of Wednesday’s MLS All-Star game.

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-- Douglas Farmer