The Los Angeles Galaxy enter the 2011 season as arguably the most talented team in Major League Soccer. Last season, the Galaxy won the coveted Supporters' Shield and hope that this season brings even more success. Despite the loss of star striker Edson Buddle, the Galaxy have a wealth of talent and will likely stay near the top of the table.
Many Say This is the Galaxy's Last Shot
The Los Angeles Galaxy's 2011 roster contains many aging veterans who likely do not have many runs at an MLS Cup title left in their careers. David Beckham returns for his fifth season with the Galaxy. He is currently 35 years old. In the offseason, the Galaxy signed former Columbus Crew star Frankie Hejduk. Hejduk is 36 years old and is entering his ninth season in the league. Juan Pablo Angel, a 35-year-old Colombian striker, was brought in from the New York Red Bulls. Defender Gregg Berhalter is 37 years old.
The question is how many more seasons do such stars have in them? It seems that the 2011 version of the Galaxy will have much talent, but much of that talent is nearing the end of their respective careers. As Ives Galarcep put it in his March 2 FoxSoccer.com article, "In other words it’s win now or watch the window of opportunity close and wonder how this Galaxy side failed to win the club’s first MLS Cup since 2005."
Edson Buddle is Gone
The club's leading scorer in 2010, Edson Buddle, has left MLS to play for FC Ingolstadt 04 in the second division in Germany. In four seasons with the Galaxy, Buddle scored 42 goals in 87 appearances. Buddle won the Galaxy's MVP award for the 2010 season and was also named to the MLS Best XI squad in 2010. He was also named to the United States World Cup squad.
Buddle's loss will affect the Galaxy in the 2011 season. He was the club's only consistent goal scorer during the 2010 season and much of the offense ran through him. The Galaxy are hoping that Angel can fill in for Buddle's absence. Angel is one of the best goal scorers in MLS history, scoring 58 goals in 102 appearances in five seasons with the New York Red Bulls. However, he noticeably struggled during the second half of last season. The Galaxy are hoping that a change of scenery will revitalize Angel's goal-scoring abilities.
Chad Barrett Joins Landon Donovan in the Attack
Perhaps the most talented player in the MLS is Landon Donovan, a hero to American soccer fans. Donovan's stoppage time goal against Algeria during World Cup group play sent the U.S. to the Round of 16 in South Africa in 2010. Donovan is entering his seventh season with the Galaxy and has scored 71 goals in 145 appearances with the club. In 2009, Donovan won the MLS MVP award and he has been named to the MLS Best XI squad the past three seasons.
It is not clear whether or not coach Bruce Arenas wants to keep Donovan at his familiar left wing position or move him to a forward position in 2011. What is clear, however, is that Donovan is excited about this year's squad. According to a Feb. 1 ESPN blog post, Donovan stated, "I said yesterday to someone that this team is going to be more competitive than last year's, we're going to be deeper than last year, and overall in every position we have more talent and depth. [We have] the best balance that I've ever seen, certainly on this team and maybe in any team I've seen in MLS, from [player No.] 1 to 25."
If Donovan does continue to play his familiar winger position, off-season acquisition Chad Barrett will likely get the nod as striker. Barrett played the last three seasons with Toronto FC, where he scored 16 goals in 65 appearances. He will likely see playing time at striker when Donovan leaves the Galaxy for national team duties during the Gold Cup in the summer.
David Beckham is Back in the Galaxy Midfield
David Beckham is back for the Galaxy after another tumultuous offseason that saw him train with Tottenham Hotspur and spark rumors about him once again playing in England. He was accused of asking for loan deals but now he is back with the Galaxy and getting ready for the upcoming season. In his MLS career with the Galaxy, Beckham has made 48 appearances and scored nine goals.
Despite all the rumors, Beckham insists, as shown in this Feb. 24 ESPN post, that he is focused on his role with the Galaxy. "My main objective was to get fit for the Galaxy and for the MLS season. That was my main objective. My main objective wasn't to play for a Premiership team. I was thankful to Spurs and to Harry [Redknapp, Tottenham's manager] the way they looked after me ... Even if I'd been on loan, even if I had played the games, this was the time I was always going to come back. That was agreed, and nothing was going to change that."
Paolo Cardozo is a 21-year-old Uruguayan midfielder who has impressed many during the preseason. He is small in stature, but he may just be able to move to the wing and allow Landon Donovan to play a striker position. Michael Stephens returns to the midfield for the Galaxy. Stephens was drafted in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft and made 22 appearances for the team last season.
Chris Birchall is Arenas' top choice for holding midfielder. Birchall has only made 34 appearances for the Galaxy since 2009 but seems to have moved up into a more consistent starting role heading into the 2010 season. Birchall stated in an interview with MLSSoccer.com, “I’ve got to go out and cement that place in the defensive midfield and try and help the back four. Bruce has told me my job and it’s up to me to go try and do it.”
Brazilian midfielder Juninho will also play a crucial role for the Galaxy in 2011. Juninho made 25 appearances for the Galaxy last season and scored two goals.
The Galaxy Has Good Depth on the Back Line
Omar Gonzalez will start at center back for the Galaxy. Gonzalez, a six-foot-five imposing figure, has made 58 appearances with the Galaxy the past two seasons. He has also played in a couple of friendlies for the U.S. national team following the World Cup. Gonzalez won the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2009. Todd Dunivant will start at the left back position. Dunivant is entering his third season with the Galaxy and has made 52 appearances since 2009. Sean Franklin will start at right back for the Galaxy. Franklin has made 65 appearances for the Galaxy since 2008 and was the recipient of the MLS Rookie of the Year award in 2008.
Gregg Berhalter will be fighting for another spot in a loaded back line. Berhalter has made 41 appearances for the Galaxy since 2009. Another aging veteran who will struggle to find playing time in the loaded Galaxy back line will be Frankie Hejduk, who joins the club from the Columbus Crew. Hejduk played eight seasons with the Crew and made 147 appearances. Hejduk seems to be behind Franklin in the rotation at right back. A.J. DeLaGarza will also find some playing time for the Galaxy. He has made 39 appearances for the Galaxy in the past two seasons.
Donovan Ricketts returns in goal for the Galaxy. The Jamaican goalkeeper won the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award last season. Ricketts was third in the league with a 0.90 goals allowed average. He played all 90 minutes in 29 of the Galaxy's 30 regular season matches. Josh Saunders will back up Ricketts once again in 2011. Saunders is best known for relieving Ricketts during the second half of the 2009 MLS Cup championship match against Real Salt Lake. RSL eventually won the match and the Cup on penalty kicks.
Gregory Morgan - Gregory Morgan is a writer who currently lives in Hattiesburg, Missississppi. He is interested in a vast array of topics. His favorite ...
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