LOS ANGELES – The road to professional soccer begins Saturday night for former Coyote Lee Nishanian, who is a member of the LA Galaxy II that takes on the OC Blues in Carson.
 
"It's all pretty surreal,'' said Nishanian, who completed his CSUSB career this past fall. "I'm thrilled to death to have the opportunity to play professionally and the way that it all came down to being a part of the Galaxy family is unbelievable.''
 
Nishanian signed a one-year agreement with an option for 2015 with the Galaxy II, which competes in the USL PRO, a division of U.S. Soccer below Major League Soccer. The LA Galaxy are the first Major League Soccer club to own and operate a lower division professional team within the club's player development structure
 
LA Galaxy II, presented by Herbalife, trains and plays all of its home matches at StubHub Center in Carson, home of the Cal State Dominguez Hills soccer programs.
 
LA Galaxy II provides playing time and development opportunities for players within the LA Galaxy player development structure. The USL PRO side offers a 28-game season and will feature LA Galaxy first-team players, players signed by Galaxy II and LA Galaxy Academy players.
 
The 6-foot-2 inch, 180-pound Nishanian played four seasons for the Coyotes. During his time at CSUSB, he was a two-time All-West Region selection, a three-time All-CCAA honoree and captured two Capital One Academic All-District honors at his defender position.
 
Nishanian played in 73 games in his career with 71 starts.

Nishanian also happens to be playing for a former Coyote. Robert Becerra (an All-CCAA choice in 1995-96) is an assistant coach for the Galaxy II.