The Los Angeles Galaxy spent the first decade of MLS as one of the premier organizations in the league. But the second decade of MLS has resulted in two consecutive seasons with early vacations. The Galaxy missed out on the playoffs again in 2007 in what was easily the most frustrating and trying season in the club's history.
Los Angeles was ravaged by injuries all season long and struggled to get things going from week one. The schedule didn't do them any favors either as every club wanted their date with David Beckham, 18 games coming after the All-Star break, 10 of those on the road. A healthy team would have struggled with that schedule, but the Galaxy had more than a dozen players miss extended time with injuries over the course of the year.
"Difficult, frustrating, disappointing, rewarding in certain aspects all in one season," said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "It's amazing really, and we nearly pulled it off."
The Galaxy opened their season on the road against defending MLS champions Houston Dynamo and drew 0-0. It looked like a potentially promising start to the year. But a 2-1 home loss to FC Dallas in their next game was more foreboding of things to come. A win against Chivas in game three gave Galaxy fans hope, but it would be nearly two months before the Galaxy won again. Looking back, the slow start to the season dug a big hole for Los Angeles, as injuries attributed to the results all the way back in April.
"We started the season without Troy Roberts, Gavin Glinton and Alan Gordon. They were out for the first six games," said Yallop. "Not to say that they were crucial, but those were guys who contributed. All these guys are important to your team and when they're missing you'd think it's only a small part of it, but it's everything."
Early injuries forced rookies like Ty Harden and Robbie Findley into the lineup earlier than expected. Winter acquisition Nate Jaqua struggled to find his scoring touch and the Galaxy were struggling. As injuries continued to mount and results became harder to come by, Yallop and team president and general manager Alexi Lalas were forced to make changes. While the intention was to fill holes and build depth, the end result was crushing to team chemistry as the Galaxy were forced to go through a "getting to know you" process in midseason.
"A lot of those trades we made I felt were out of necessity. We had no strikers going into a four-game home stretch so we had to get Edson Buddle, and that's no disrespect to Edson," said Yallop. "Chris Klein worked out as a good trade but you lose someone like Robbie (Findley). But you have to give up something to get something you need. The whole year was just a makeshift lineup and very tough on everybody."
A team that was struggling to find an identity was dealt both a blessing and a curse wrapped into one when Beckham arrived in July. Beckham's impact on the field was magnified when he scored on his first ever free kick in a Galaxy uniform against D.C. United in SuperLiga. The media scrutiny that he brought to the team was something that no MLS player was ready to handle though, much less a team that had been down on its luck all season long.
"I think it had a big effect to be honest. None of us were used to the attention that David brought. I think that was what we didn't realize," said Yallop. "We didn't realize that every game and every player is scrutinized. I think now we know we just have to get on with it and not worry about it."
Things weren't all bad for Los Angeles though. Despite their struggles throughout the regular season, they did play well at certain points of the year. Beckham's arrival coincided with the start of the inaugural SuperLiga. Some argued against the inclusion of the Galaxy to represent MLS, considering their finish the year before and their form heading into the tournament. Nobody could make that same argument when the dust settled.
The Galaxy came one penalty kick away from beating Pachuca, one of the best teams in the Americas, if not the best. That SuperLiga run saw them notch wins against Pachuca, FC Dallas and D.C. United. While the end result, losing on penalty kicks in the final, was crushing, it showed the Galaxy could play at a higher level.
"Our run in the SuperLiga was fantastic, to get to the final of that and take Pachuca to the final kick of the game," said Yallop. "Our run at the end was amazing. We all looked at each other and said if we make the playoffs we're going to do really well and we nearly did. That's a tribute to the guys. We never quit. They never ever once wavered on each other."
It was that seven-game unbeaten run that had the Galaxy fighting for a playoff spot in the final weekend of the season. While they fell just short, it proved that with a consistent lineup in place Los Angeles could string together some positive results.
Despite that, major changes have already been implemented in Los Angeles. Yallop left the team to take the head coaching job with the San Jose Earthquakes. It didn't take long for the Galaxy to find a replacement though, as former Dutch great Ruud Gullit will take over the reins as manager and is bringing a no-nonsense approach to the club.
"You have to do what you have to do. If you don't, we'll have a problem," said Gullit about what he is expecting from his players. "The expectations are really high. There's a certain way you have to play in this team and we have to make sure (the players) are going to do it. It's not about the best players, it's about the best team."
Gullit brings a tremendous resume as a player to the Galaxy, which should help him cope with the media circus that will again likely be ahead. His resume as a coach is somewhat spotty; however with stints in charge at Newcastle and Chelsea, it's hard to argue against those credentials. His biggest challenge heading into next season will be his ability to adapt to the way MLS is structured.
"In America, it's not like Europe where if you like a player you can buy him," said Gullit. "It's totally different. I have to adapt myself to this new system. That's the most difficult part for me at this moment."
More changes will be made. The Galaxy have already added Clint Mathis to the roster, which should help an offense that was inconsistent at best during the season. Due to salary cap constraints, some high priced players will also have to be moved. If they want to retain the services of Landon Donovan, they will need to trade for a second designated player slot.
One change that will undoubtedly be felt within the club´s core next year, particularly in the midfield, will be the absence of team legend Cobi Jones, who decided to call it quits after more than a decade of loyal service in Los Angeles.
The numerous injuries that plagued the Galaxy directly prevented Jones from celebrating his final year in the league in the grand fashion his amazing career deserved: fighting for the MLS Cup in the playoffs and not hanging up his cleats forever after a 1-0 loss against the Chicago Fire in the last game of the season.
Fortunately, those fans who can't imagine the Galaxy without Cobi Jones can take comfort in the fact that he'll continue to patrol the pitch at the Home Depot Center, although this time on the sidelines as Gullit's assistant coach.
The Galaxy will also need to add some depth on the back line. A rash of injuries this year forced a pair of rookies into action before they were ready, and forced Chris Klein to play out of position upon arriving in Los Angeles. While players filled in admirably, the Galaxy don't want a repeat of 2007.
All signs point to a busy offseason for the Galaxy. Gullit's connections in Europe could lead to an international signing over the winter. He has already hinted that several Dutch players have contacted him about making the move to Los Angeles. Whether or not that is possible given the Galaxy's salary cap issues, and the limits on international players, remains to be seen.
While Los Angeles has failed to make the playoffs the past two seasons, with their continued pursuit of high-profile players and coaches, they remain the most glamorous team in MLS. The only certainty right now in Los Angeles is that there will be several changes made to the Galaxy before the new season begins.
is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
