It’s been just over a month since the official news came that USL leading scorer Jack McBean had signed with the LA Galaxy, becoming a Homegrown signing for the second time in his young career after a remarkable two-and-a-half seasons for Los Dos.

On Wednesday night, McBean will make his first appearance at the MLS Chipotle Homegrown Game at San Jose’s Avaya Stadium, and get the chance to show a national stage just how far his game has come since he was a prodigious 16-year-old.

“It’s been kind of a hectic month,” McBean said last week. “Just a bunch of games, and I’ve had to bounce back and forth, but I’m obviously happy to be back with the first team and am looking forward to the Homegrown Game, and also looking forward to playing with the Galaxy II.”

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Since the Galaxy II were founded prior to the 2014 USL season, McBean has been one of the team’s mainstays. No one has made more appearances for the team, scored more goals, and only fellow Homegrown Game selection Raul Mendiola has recorded more assists.

As a result, it wasn’t a surprise this preseason when McBean was named the captain, taking over from Galaxy offseason signing Daniel Steres.

“Being named captain was a big honor,” McBean said. “I wanted to wear the armband, and when [Galaxy II Coach Curt Onalfo] told me I was going to be the captain, I was happy. I think it was good for me to take on a little bit more responsibility in that sense, but I think for the most part it’s been the same with the way I am around the guys and around the coaches.”

As productive as McBean was in his first two seasons for Los Dos, though, the new season has brought about a massive leap forward in his consistency in front of goal. McBean’s efficiency has led to a career-high 15 goals in 17 appearances, while his hold-up play for the USL’s leading scorers has reached another level as well.

The Galaxy II, meanwhile, have maintained their level in terms of on-field success, even with the changing cast of characters that have come to the fore this season. With some – like Steres or Dave Romney – having become regulars at the MLS level, and others – like Cincinnati’s Kenney Walker or Louisville’s Chandler Hoffman – finding success elsewhere, the Galaxy II have consistently been able to groom players to take on bigger roles and keep the continuity that has the side on course for another playoff berth this season.

“It’s training habits and the way we do things around the club,” McBean said of the team’s impressive continuity. “Curt talks to players individually and lets them know where they stand, what they need to do to get better, and he gives them opportunities. Sometimes, especially with young players, you don’t execute all the time and do your job, and he lets you know, but he’s a guy that’s willing to give you a second and third chance to get it right.”

This season, that has meant the emergence of players like Jaime Villarreal, the lone player to appear in every game for Los Dos this season, and defender Lee Nishanian, who has more than tripled his minutes from last season as the Galaxy II’s leader in that category.

With the proliferation of young players across the league, particularly those Homegrowns who are getting the majority of their minutes in the USL, McBean is enjoying the rising level of competition among the league’s young players.

“It’s really cool,” McBean said. “When we started this thing a couple of years ago it was tough, the games were tough. The level is good and it’s extremely competitive. Everyone knows when they’re playing these teams who the Homegrowns are and who’s on MLS contracts, so it’s definitely fun, and it’s challenging playing against these guys.”

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With former Academy players like Villarreal, midfielder Ryo Fujii, goalkeeper Bennett Sneddon and most recently defender Hugo Arellano now electing to turn professional with the Galaxy II, the next group of Homegrown signings for the Galaxy II might not be that far away, either. In the case of former U.S. U17 National Team captain Arellano, McBean said the decision to remain with the Galaxy organization likely made sense in terms of more quickly reaching his full potential.

“I think they kind of see how it’s worked over in Europe,” McBean said. “A guy like Hugo, who played for the U17s at the World Cup, I’m sure he sees all the guys he was playing against, whatever team they were on, they’re signing professional contracts. I’m sure he wants to be a big-time professional player one day – like we all do – and I’m not dissing college by any means, but I think especially with the Galaxy, if it’s a good situation then it’s a no-brainer to sign with them.”

And while there’s plenty of work to be done for the Galaxy and Galaxy II for the rest of this season, McBean is definitely happy to have taken a major step back to becoming the player many believe he can be.

“It’s good to just get that satisfaction of being back on a first-team contract after performing the way I have so far this year, and just being rewarded for that,” McBean said. “I’m happy about that.”