Major League Soccer’s Director of Project-40 Todd Durbin announced March 9 that through the Los Angeles Galaxy’s January Project-40 combine, 19-year-old Marvin Quijano was identified and has joined the Project-40 Class of ’99 as a member of the Galaxy. A native of San Salvador, El Salvador, Quijano joined the club in early February after participating in an invitation-only tryout held at the Rose Bowl. Quijano has since appeared in five of Los Angeles’ preseason games, scoring two goals and adding an assist as a non-roster player. More than 80 Southern California youths participated in the first-ever Project-40 tryouts after being selected or recommended by several talent evaluators in the region. The Galaxy coaching staff and other area soccer experts judged the players at the combine after being grouped into teams. “The addition of Marvin Quijano to Project-40 is part of the continuing efforts to identify quality young players who have not gone through the traditional identification process of ODP [Olympic Development Program] or the youth national teams,” said Durbin. During his first season at Rio Hondo Community College the Southland product scored 24 goals in 30 games during the 1998 campaign. Quijano moved from San Salvador to North Hollywood, California in 1991 at age 11, a year after his parents and older brother and younger sister. The Reseda High School product developed his soccer skills through the Los Angeles city youth clubs. A member of the Valley United Blast from 1993-1998, Quijano was part of the U-16 California State Cup Championship team in 1995 and a major contributor to the 1997 U-17 California State Cup Title club. A three-year starter for Reseda High School, Quijano was distinguished as the All-Area Player of the Year as a senior as well as making All-Region in 1998. As a junior he received All-City honors. “Growing up I was always a star on the soccer field,” Quijano said. “Being given the opportunity to be part of the Galaxy I am now truly learning and playing with stars. It is a dream come true.”