Quote:
Five big questions for LA Galaxy
The 2009 MLS campaign is over and the Los Angeles Galaxy head into the offseason coping with the disappointment of a loss in the MLS Cup Final to Real Salt Lake. But there also is plenty of optimism for a club that appears to have returned to its winning ways after years of decline. There are several questions, however, that need to be answered:
WHAT DO THE GALAXY NEED TO DO TO WIN MLS CUP IN 2010?
Having goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts for the entire final would be a nice start if they get that far again. He was lost just after halftime in Seattle because of a broken hand and backup Josh Saunders performed well in his place, but Ricketts was brilliant all season in solidifying a position that had been lacking for several years.
They also need more youth. Real Salt Lake exposed the Galaxy's aging veterans with their fast, young midfielders and the Galaxy literally ran out of gas in the final. Head coach Bruce Arena went the safe, but correct, route in bringing in a number of experienced and older players to launch what turned out to be a stunning turnaround, but it caught up with the team in the end.
"I think everybody was little bit numb. I don't think it's really hit yet," said defender Todd Dunivant. "I think we fully expected to win and put ourselves in position to win and couldn't hold that lead -- pretty uncharacteristic this year. They put lot of pressure on us."
WHAT WAS THE TEAM'S BEST MOMENT IN '09?
Actually, there were three. The first was David Beckham's first goal of the season that defeated Chivas USA 1-0 in the third "SuperClasico" on Aug. 29 and earned them their first trophy of the season. The second was a 2-0 victory against the San Jose Eartquakes on Oct. 24 which clinched the Western Conference Championship. The third was a 2-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in the conference final that put them into the MLS Cup Final.
Remember, this was a team that had been down on its luck for more than three years and hadn't even been in the playoffs since 2005. To make such a dramatic turnaround after tying for the league's worst record in 2008 was nothing short of stunning. Not only did the team's fortunes change for the better but so did the team's mentality. The players genuinely liked each other and Beckham and Landon Donovan drew raves for their inspired play.
WHO SHOWED THE BIGGEST IMPROVEMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASON?
Two players stand out. One was rookie Omar Gonzalez, the club's first-round draft pick out of the University of Maryland. He was put in the starting lineup almost from the moment he arrived in southern California and, under the expert guidance of fellow center back Gregg Berhalter, went on to be named Rookie of the Year. It's only a matter of time before Gonzalez is called up to the U.S. men's national team.
The other surprise was Mike Magee, who had been a solid but unspectacular veteran in New York before he was acquired in January. All he did was tie for the team lead in assists (with Donovan) and score the go-ahead goal in the cup final. He never complains and is the kind of veteran every team needs.
WHAT RESERVES ARE MOST READY TO CRACK THE STARTING LINEUP?
Bryan Jordan didn't get much playing time, but he was productive when he was called upon. His goal in the 76th minute salvaged a 1-1 tie at San Jose on April 18. He isn't very big (just 5 feet 8 and 155 pounds), but he has great pace and is surprisingly good in the air despite his lack of height.
Saunders could start for most teams in MLS, even the Galaxy, and he did win two games when Ricketts was injured early on. He also provided a calming influence when Ricketts was lost in the final and made two saves after the game went to penalty kicks.
WHAT AREA OF THE TEAM NEEDS THE MOST IMPROVEMENT?
Age has crept into into a number of positions. Berhalter, who perhaps was the Galaxy's best player in the final in Seattle, will be 37 in August. Tony Sanneh, should he come back, is 39 in June. Midfielder Eddie Lewis will be 36 in May. Dema Kovalenko, who brought a sorely lacking physical edge to the midfield, turns 33 in August. Chris Klein will be 34 in January and Jovan Kirovski will be 34 in March.
The Galaxy also need to come up with another scorer to complement Donovan, who had a team-leading 12 goals. Edson Buddle was thought to be the answer after he scored a career-high 15 goals in 2008, but he slumped to only five goals in 2009. The answer could be Alecko Eskandarian, who was acquired from Chivas USA on July 1 and provided a real spark in midfield, not to mention two goals in three games, before he was lost for the season with a broken nose and post-concussion symptoms. If he can return to 100 percent, he could provide the help they're looking for.
