So it is finally here, the Los Angeles Galaxy will have to start a new chapter in their book with the retirement of Landon Donovan as he sailed into the sunset after he helped bring a fifth MLS Cup. It really could not have ended any better for the Galaxy fans, but what’s next? How are the Galaxy going to move forward? We will break it all down for you right here.
One thing that is going to help ease the pain a bit is knowing that Liverpool great Steven Gerrard will be joining the squad this July. He will provide an instant boost to the club no matter where in the standings they are. Having a deep squad, however, could only help the Los Angeles based club in the beginning part of the season.
Speaking of depth, here is the current list of here is the current squad make-up according to MLSSoccer.com. LA Galaxy Depth Chart: 25 players
Goalkeepers (3)
Jaime Penedo, Brian Rowe, Andrew Wolverton (Rookie)
Defenders (7)
Omar Gonzalez, AJ DeLaGarza, Leonardo, Todd Dunivant, Dan Gargan, Oscar Sorto, Daniel Keller
Midfielders (7)
Juninho, Stefan Ishizaki, Baggio Husidic, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Rogers, Kenney Walker, Ignacio Maganto
Forwards (8)
Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes, Alan Gordon, Jaime Villarreal, Jack McBean, Raul Mendiola, Bradford Jamieson IV, Charlie Rugg
Luckily for the club, only four players had their options declined this offseason. According to MLSsoccer.com, here is who was let go:
M Raul Garcia (12/9/2014 – Option Declined)
F Chandler Hoffman (12/9/2014 – Option Declined)
G Brian Perk (12/9/2014 – Option Declined)
D James Riley (12/9/2014 – Option Declined)
However, Marcelo Sarvas was traded in the offseason for a move up in the allocation order along with some cash. It certainly is tough to see such a valuable member of the squad go, however, this will let Baggio Husidic play in his preferred role in the middle of the pitch.
Robbie Keane is coming fresh off of his MVP award from the previous campaign and will be hoping to find the scoring sheet when the season kicks off at home against the Chicago Fire in early March. Last season, he finished with twenty goals while providing 13 assists in just 33 matches played, which is a remarkable ratio for any striker in the world.
The homegrown forward, Gyasi Zardes, had his best campaign yet racking up a ton of goals while tracking back and working hard for the team, earning his trip to Chile with the US Men’s National Team. Zardes ended the season with an outstanding goal tally finding the back of the net on 17 occasions, while winning over two aerial duels per match.
The StubHub Center was a fortress for Bruce Arena and company this past year, dropping a mere seven points – equaling to one loss and four draws. This stat is truly mindboggling considering how many starting XI’s Arena threw out onto the pitch, whether it was because of an injury to a player or two, or just needed a shakeup. If this amazing form continues into this new season, there is no reason why the Galaxy shouldn’t be in the playoffs once more.
Now let’s talk about tactics for just one second. To start the season, Bruce Arena deployed the prototypical 4-2-3-1 formation with Gyasi Zardes coming off the bench and used his speed and his good left foot to whip in a cross. Then Zardes starting scoring goals, and constantly as well.
He got moved up front to put his back towards the defender and try to hold the ball up but Zardes did much more than that. You could see how much he grew from the 2013 season, where you would cringe whenever he was on the ball, to last year when he made much better decisions, picking his head up before deciding what to do with the ball.
It will be interesting to see how Bruce lines up his players come opening day, but you should expect to see a 4-2-3-1 once more until Gerrard comes to the City of Angels this summer. The only thing that will be a question mark is seeing who will be playing in that role behind Robbie Keane if this is the formation that the Galaxy are going to put out.
Final Prediction: With all of the players around the pitch, Bruce Arena will no doubt get the best out of his players even without Landon Donovan. They will have another competition to worry about this fall in the CONCACAF Champions League, so squad rotation will be vital in these situations. The quality of the players should see them through a hectic schedule and will be pushing for yet another championship when all is said and done.