MLS 2009 Previews: LA Galaxy

By: Laurie | March 14th, 2009

Five more days until MLS! Today we continue our preview series with a look at the LA Galaxy.

Today’s preview is brought to you by Jen, one of our great LA Galaxy bloggers. (The other being NathanHJ, who you might know from his fantastic Galaxy recaps over at Soccer by Ives last season.) You can catch them both over at LA Galaxy Offside. And while you’re at it, be sure to stop by our MLS page too.

Nuts and Bolts: Where things stand now

David Beckham plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Sort of. He’ll return from AC Milan in July. But David Beckham is not who this team is about – at least we hope not anymore.

In his first full year as General Manager and Head Coach, Bruce Arena is trying to build a competitive team after last season’s debacle. In the two years since Beckham has been a Galaxy player the team’s win record has been laughable because of management’s attempts to build the team around Beckham. This year Arena is putting together a winning team sans Beckham.

What is the general mood of Galaxy fans?

Disgust, hope, resignation. At this point we just want a team who can compete with the rest of MLS. We love our team, but we will continue to be cynical until the team shows some promise in the first half of the season.

This year’s new impact players:

Omar Gonzalez is a Generation Adidas rookie defender. In the preseason matches he has looked strong at central defense. He could play a large role in the back, just as Sean Franklin did last year.

Mike Magee comes to the team via the Red Bulls. He is listed as a midfielder/forward and has shown good creativity and patience on the ball in the preseason.

Dema Kovalenko is a beast. He comes to us via Real Salt Lake and is a defensive midfielder. Galaxy fans have already created his very own chant, “Dema, Dema, Dema! Kill, kill, kill!”

Donovan Ricketts is the 6′4”, Jamaican National Team goalie, and he’s now ours. He should be an improvement over last year’s Steve Cronin who was recently waived by the Galaxy.

Returning players to watch:

Landon Donovan returns from a stint abroad in the Bundesliga playing for Bayern Munich. Unfortunately for him the move wasn’t made permanent. But we are always glad to have Landon on the field. He will likely be captain again, having given the captaincy to Beckham when Beckham arrived.

Chris Klein has the MLS record for most consecutive starts. He played right defender last year, but will look to move into his original position at right mid in Beckham’s absence. He has a great soccer brain and is a true leader on and off the field.

Edson Buddle was third in league scoring last year. We hope he has as good a year this season with service from Klein, Donovan, and Lewis.

Eddie Lewis comes back to the States to play for the Galaxy after playing for former English Premier League team Derby County. A longtime left midfielder for the USMNT, he has played left mid or left back for the Galaxy.

We’ll win the league if . . .

The new talent and more balanced team that Bruce Arena has brought together can play as a unit with consistency. Look for Landon Donovan to be the key to our offense. Also, look for a tighter defensive shape with better talent. Dema Kovalenko in front of the back four will slow the opponent’s attack – a skill we were in desperate need of last season.

We’ll be in trouble if . . .

We can’t find cohesion early in the season.

Donovan is not in top goal-scoring form.

Beckham’s return in July is not a quiet fit but rather a raucous interruption.

Alexi Lalas is within five miles of the Home Depot Center.

And to whet your appetite for this year, take a look at LA’s Best Goals of 2008.