Galaxy: Season Recap
For a third year in a row, Galaxy fans are left to ponder what could have been while they watch other MLS teams fight it out for a ticket to MLS Cup at the Home Depot Center on November 23rd.
Looking back on the season, the dismal record does not take away from several notable positives. Topping the list is General Manager and Head Coach, Bruce Arena.
Perhaps the most important move the Galaxy has made in years, the seasoned coach took over in late August after the club parted ways with Alexi Lalas and Ruud Gullit. The move came a little too late to make a significant impact on the team this season, but nevertheless, his presence will prove its worth in the near future. Arena's plans and personality were on full display as he addressed questions from season ticket holders in a town hall meeting held recently at the Home Depot Center.
Arena was clear and realistic in his analysis of the problems within team, underscoring that the team's problems did not occur overnight and conversely, a solution would not appear overnight either. On multiple occasions, Arena asserted the importance of improving on the defensive side, not laying blame on any specific team member or position, but instead stressing the need to improve as a team. The most refreshing comment on the night came when Arena stated that the team needs stability, referring to the high turnover ratio and constant trades that have become part of the Galaxy culture in recent years. This is the type of leadership the team has needed for years and will be reflected by the team come next season.
Other notables for the year:
Rookie sensation, defender Sean Franklin. The CSUN Alum broke into the starting eleven early in the season and never looked back. He has shown class, maturity and abilities well beyond his years. Franklin is likely to find himself on the pitch next to some new defensive partners next year, but if Arena is true to his word, it will be in a Galaxy uniform. It has been a great rookie season for Franklin, winning over the blue-and-gold faithful, head coach Arena and also being nominated for MLS Rookie of the Year honors. Should he win the award, he would become the first Galaxy player to win it.
Fellow rookie, midfielder Brandon McDonald also made a name for himself this season. A tenacious midfielder with a menacing shot, he started early in the season, but injuries kept him sidelined for a number of games during the summer stretch. When on the field, he proved to be a force to be reckoned with. Combining great vision, tenacity and good passing skills, McDonald has made a strong case for a central midfielder spot. Although his name was not specifically mentioned during the town hall meeting, it is hard to imagine Arena allowing such talent to leave the team.
Rising star, forward Bryan Jordan shows a lot of promise. The Southern California native played in eight games after being recalled from the Portland Timbers late in the year. Jordan brought energy and passion whenever he played, demonstrating qualities that are probably best described by the term Cobi-esque. An energetic player, not only did he figure on the offensive side, he also more than contributed on the defensive side. In short, he is the type of player that adds character and personality to a team. Attendees at the town hall meeting appear to recognize his efforts, at one point chanting his name. Arena has previously commented that Jordan is talented and brings a lot of energy to the team, seemingly agreeing with public opinion. More important, it may indicate that fans will get their wish and see Jordan in Galaxy blue-and-gold once again next year.
The efforts of forward Landon Donovan and veteran midfielder/defender Chris Klein warrant more than words. The former had an MVP worthy season, scoring 20 goals and tallying 10 assists, the first MLS player in league history to accomplish the feat. It is even more impressive when one realizes that he missed several games due to World Cup Qualifiers. His future is in doubt, with rumors swirling that he will be giving Europe another try during the winter transfer window. Donovan has expressed interest, but Arena stated that Donovan would be with the Galaxy come next season. Losing Donovan would be a huge blow to the team's offense, making for some interesting off season drama.
Mr. Reliable, Chris Klein, continues his great journey in MLS. Once again he has proven to be a leader, one that younger players can look up to and learn from. He started every game and left it all on the field on each occasion. Arena recognizes his worth and the Galaxy need his leadership and work ethic. Whether he is still on the team next year is a bit of an unknown, but it would seem prudent for the Galaxy to keep him.
Lastly, forward Edson Buddle. Buddle's resurgence started early this season and although he hit a rough spot mid-season, he put up career best numbers. It would seem as though he would be the type of player Arena needs, but not much has been said about the player. Perhaps Arena is weighing his options. Galaxy fans will have to wait and see.
Arena has a lot of good to work with and if ever there was a U.S. soccer coach that knew how to manage resources, it would be him. However, there are some outstanding issues that also need to be addressed, the most important of which -- defense -- already seems to be at the forefront of Arena's planning for next year. That is a good thing.
Not so fast though. There is also the Beckham circus to deal with.
Addressing a question relating to all the commotion regarding Beckham's loan to Italian giants A.C. Milan, Arena emphatically expressed that Beckham would be with the Galaxy at the start of next season. Both teams finally officially announced the loan, but the terms of the loan have not been released, thus it remains unclear how Beckham was able to structure a loan that allows him to rejoin the Galaxy in March, violating FIFA rules that would otherwise force him to stay in Milan until May/June. Arena responded "that is not accurate," when asked if the interpretation of the FIFA rule was accurate. However, it was Arena himself that only days ealier had expressed a similar comment when asked about his thoughts on the possible loan. Something doesn't add up.
The deal as whole seems to be highlighting some important issues, beginning with what appears to be Beckham's influence over the team. Without knowing the terms of the deal, one can only speculate, but it appears as though MLS and the Galaxy have little to gain from this deal. Beckham on the other hand has expressed his motives repeatedly, stating that he wishes to stay in form during the offseason and pointing out that his body is programmed to play for longer periods of time throughout the year.
Nonsense.
His justification might hold some water if Spain's La Liga didn't have a winter break. Factoring in the winter break, the total difference in time off during a year when compared to his previous league -- La Liga -- is only a few weeks, not the long drawn out period of time that he is implying. The only difference is that some of that rest is in December/January. His point might be that the time spans are similar, but not all at once. Fair enough, but that seems to be negated by the fact that the reason why the break in between seasons in La Liga is short is again due to the winter break. In the end, the MLS break is only slightly longer for him this year because the team failed to make the playoffs.
Second to this is the silly notion of his body being so strictly programmed that he must do it. His former leagues run from late August to late May or early June. Were one to take his comment at face value, one could just as easily state that the following is true: his body will be in rest mode come mid June. That means Galaxy fans should expect him to not be at his sharpest just at the point when MLS starts to heat up. He is also overlooking that he is older, the cross country flights, heat and humidity, none of which he he had to deal with before and all which wear on the body.
Ultimately, this deal and his approach to it may be his undoing. Already, there is a growing undercurrent of feelings amongst season ticket holders that there is too much focus on Beckham. At the town hall meeting, a fan commented to Arena, in a very dissatisfied tone, that Donovan was the heart of the team, not Beckham. A number of other attendees applauded and cheered the gentleman's comment. This was an echo of a similar comment directed at Lalas by others before the start of the season.
Comments heard on the concourse from other fans seem to confirm this growing attitude amongst the fan base.
Memo to Galaxy front office: take notice and act now or soon you will have a bigger mess on your hands.
Photo by Angel Magaña/LAist