Tristan Bowen

Overview

Chivas USA acquired forward Tristan Bowen in a trade with the LA Galaxy on December 15, 2010, in exchange for allocation money. The explosive striker originally signed with the Galaxy on November 12, 2008, and was the first player to come out of that club’s youth system. He made his MLS debut on June 20, 2009, his only league appearance during that season. In 2010, Bowen became an important part of the Supporters Shield winning Galaxy, making 17 appearances (10 starts) and scoring two goals. The forward played with USL sides Hollywood United Hitmen and Miami FC Blues in 2009. In 2012 Bowen featured in 5 games for Chivas USA, adding 2 assists.

Born on January 30, 1991, Bowen is a Los Angeles native, and he joined the LA Galaxy youth program in March 2007. He played in a number of tournaments with the club, and has also made several appearances for the United States U-18 and U-20 teams.

MLS Highlights

2009: Appeared in one game in his first full season with the Galaxy. Bowen made his MLS debut in the Galaxy’s 2-1 loss at San Jose on 6/20, replacing Chris Klein in second half stoppage time. He made his first appearance of the season on 4/7, starting up front and playing 61 minutes in the Galaxy’s U.S. Open Cup Play-In Game defeat vs. Colorado. He also played the final 28 minutes of the club’s 1-0 win vs. Costa Rica’s CS Herediano in a friendly at The Home Depot Center on 6/9. Bowen was an unused substitute on both 4/18 at San Jose and 7/11 at Chivas USA, but did not appear in either contest. He spent part of the season on loan with Hollywood United in the PDL and Miami FC of the USL First Division.

2008: Played in four Reserve Division games at the end of the season for the Galaxy, starting three of those games while playing a total of 257 minutes. He officially signed with the club in November, making him the first player in MLS history to be signed directly from his club’s Youth Academy. He accompanied the team to New Zealand for the friendly against the Oceania All-Stars, coming on as a second half substitute.

USL Highlights

2009: Bowen played one game for the PDL Hollywood United Hitmen, scoring in their 4-3 win over the Ogden Outlaws on 5/22. In August, he joined the Miami FC Blues of the USL First Division on a short-term loan, appearing in three games for the club, making two starts and picking up one yellow card.

Youth Academy

2007-08: Played for the Galaxy Youth Academy U-17 team at the 2007 and 2008 SUM U-17 Cup at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Colorado, helping the Galaxy reach the semifinals in 2007 before being knocked out at the group stage in 2008 by eventual tournament champion Real Salt Lake. In 2008, Bowen also played for the Galaxy’s U-20 team which won the Pacific Southern California Division of the USL Super-20 League. Bowen was one of the team’s top scorers despite missing nearly half of their 10 games because of National Team duty.

National Team

Bowen has played for the U.S. Under-18 and Under-20 National Teams, last being called into the U-20 camp in December 2009. In November 2008, he accompanied the U-20 team to Spain for a three game tour, during which the U.S. played against Real Madrid, Athletico Madrid and Rayo Vallencano. Bowen appeared in and started all three games, scoring in a loss to Real Madrid.