THE BASICS:
- LA Galaxy
- Western Conference
- Home: StubHub Center
HONORS:
- MLS CUP: 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014
- Supporters' Shield: 1998, 2002, 2010, 2011
- U.S. Open Cup: 2001, 2005
LAGALAXY.COM:
The Galaxy are MLS's standard-bearer, the country's best-known club – globally recognized since David Beckham altered the landscape – and its most successful, with five MLS Cup trophies (three in the last four years) and nine title-game appearances, both records. They were one of the powers in the early year then went into a funk after the unlikely 2005 championship, but resurrected when Bruce Arena, American soccer's most revered and successful coach, took charge in August 2008. Their defend-and-counter philosophy has evolved into a possession/interchange approach that has them playing MLS's prettiest soccer, and with ownership that offers full support – and brings in talent like Beckham, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard – success is demanded and expected. The Galaxy believe they do things the right way and are a beacon for other clubs to follow.
Rivals
The cross-stadium SuperClasico rival is gone, with the demise of Chivas USA, but the California Clasico, against San Jose, has meant more all along. It's a natural fit – that SoCal-NorCal battle plays out in all sports – and a steady traffic of players from one to the other (notably Landon Donovan, to LA in 2005), showdowns in big games (none bigger than the 2001 MLS Cup final, won by the Earthquakes), and real antagonism between the fan bases adds to the intensity. Seattle and Real Salt Lake, the primary competition for Western laurels, are huge on-field rivals, and there exists a flicker of what was with D.C. United in the early years of MLS.
2014 Recap
Robbie Keane captured the MLS MVP honor, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez joined him on the Best XI, and Gyasi Zardes enjoyed a breakout campaign as the Galaxy claimed their third MLS Cup title in four years, sending Landon Donovan, who set records for career goals and assists, into retirement a winner. The Galaxy played astoundingly good soccer but didn't start chalking up results until mid-May, then went 15-2-6 in league play through early October – posting eight blowout victories, with New England, Seattle, D.C. United and New York among the victims – and missed out on the Supporters' Shield, to Seattle, after gaining just one point in a season-ending two-fer with the Sounders. They survived a tough playoff push, thanks to a 5-0 mauling of Real Salt Lake and Juninho's first goal in 14 months for an away-goals triumph over Seattle, then edged the Revolution in the title game as Keane finished Marcelo Sarvas' superb overtime feed.
TRANSACTIONS IN:
- M Steven Gerrard (free, arrives in July)
- GK Brian Perk (re-signed)
- M Rafael Garcia (re-signed)
TRANSACTIONS OUT:
- M Landon Donovan (retired)
- F Rob Friend (retired)
- GK Brian Perk (option declined)
- D James Riley (option declined)
- D Kyle Venter (waived)
- F Chandler Hoffman (Re-Entry Stage 2 Draft)
- M Marcelo Sarvas (traded to Colorado)
2015 Prospectus
The Galaxy have nearly everybody back as they look to successfully defend their MLS Cup title for the second time in four years, but there are two glaring holes in the lineup, at least until Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard joins LA's midfield in July. He'll step in for the hugely influential Sarvas, who was sent to Colorado in January. Replacing Donovan on the left flank is a more daunting task, and several youngsters are fighting for the job. With Edson Buddle battling for a roster spot, Zardes could again move out wide. Things look firm at the back, with everybody back and Todd Dunivant healthy again, and Bruce Arena isn't done looking for talent. A return to the CONCACAF Champions League adds another aim, but another MLS Cup is the real goal, and it's certainly within reach.
CLUB SOURCE:
"They're going to be good. I have no doubt about it. The Galaxy are now Steven Gerrard. So when you look at it, they've lost a couple players, not just Landon – you have Marcelo Sarvas. But they're adding Gerrard."
CLUB SOURCE:
"First off, you have to outwork them. You have to. It's imperative. I think the best thing you could do is try to have possession in their half of the field. Now it's a dangerous thing, because they do break with the best of them."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
PROJECTED LINEUP: 4-4-2
Penedo; Rogers, DeLaGarza, Gonzalez, Gargan; Jamieson, Husidic, Juninho, Ishizaki; Zardes, Keane
Complete roster [lagalaxy.com]
FANTASY SOCCER
SLEEPER PICKS:
AJ DeLaGarza will cost you $7.5m, same for Robbie Rogers. That's just good value on a defense that you'd be silly to bet against. Keane and Zardes are pricey, which is no surprise. Pay attention to who takes over Donovan's spot at left midfield and Sarvas' central midfield berth.
Armchair Analyst's Best Case Scenario
True story: Bruce Arena has managed 10 complete seasons in MLS, and his team has won MLS Cup in five of them. They've tacked on three Supporters' Shields – including two Cup/Shield doubles – and a US Open Cup (Cup/Cup double!) for good measure.
So bet against him and his team at your peril. Even if it is a team that lacks midfield balance, that at times looked slow in defense, that lost the greatest chance creator in MLS history, that will have a new DP to work into the midseason lineup (never easy), and that has an MVP whose odometer is about to hit 35.
They've got the best talent and they've got Bruce. Usually that's enough for a pretty good season. If everything goes right... well, it's the Galaxy. Nineteen other fanbases really, really hate them for a reason.
