The Los Angeles Galaxy have arguably been the most successful team in MLS history. Over the course of the first decade, the Galaxy were the only club to put their stamp on the postseason every year. But 2006 marked the first time in league history that Los Angeles failed to make the playoffs. It was a disappointing season that has led players, coaches, the front office and the fans to ask what happened.
The answer can be traced back to the 2005 season. The glow of winning both MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup that year blinded key people from the obvious truth that the Galaxy were just an average team.
After finishing '05 with a .500 record (13-13-6), the Galaxy snuck into the playoffs by virtue of the fact that they outplayed two expansion teams. They got hot at the right time, history was made -- but changes weren't in the offing.
"As wonderful as winning two championships was last year, we should have seen the warning signs, because they were there," said Galaxy general manager and president Alexi Lalas. "The team was mediocre through the year last year and unfortunately we didn't do enough to change that."
So with the exception of a few newly drafted rookies, the Galaxy entered 2006 with a roster devoid of any major changes or upgrades. In fact, by the end of the season, 15 of the 27 players on the Galaxy roster had three or less years of professional experience. Youth and inexperience certainly didn't help the Galaxy in what would turn out to be the most turbulent season in club history.
The year began with tragedy. The passing of former president and general manager Doug Hamilton as he returned from Costa Rica after seeing the club play in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup, is well documented. Just how much he meant to the Galaxy organization might not be as easy to understand.
Hamilton was the architect of the Galaxy's two MLS Cups. A perennial candidate for MLS' executive of the year -- and the person for whom the league award is now named -- Hamilton played an integral part in bringing veteran players like Tyrone Marshall and Landon Donovan to the Southland. His impact on the team -- and the void he left -- was immeasurable at the start of the '06 campaign.
"It's been a frustrating season for the Galaxy with everything that's gone on," said current Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "The distraction of Doug's passing was tough for the players and staff. I think it took us a while to get going as a team."
Still reeling from the loss of Hamilton, the Galaxy stumbled out of the gate. As a team trying to find a foothold in the young season, the Galaxy instead were met with inconsistency.
Steve Sampson began the year at the helm for Los Angeles. In the 11 games Sampson was in charge, he used 11 different starting lineups. While Sampson's hand was sometimes forced by injuries, suspensions, and the eventual departure of Landon Donovan, Chris Albright and Cornell Glen to the World cup, there were equally curious decisions as well.
Most notable was the goalkeeper situation that saw Kevin Hartman and Steve Cronin flip-flopping starts for close to six weeks.
The lack of cohesion showed on the field. The Galaxy suffered through the third-longest scoreless drought in MLS history smack-dab in the middle of a seven-game losing streak.
Alexi Lalas returned to L.A. to take over Hamilton's duties as president and general manager in the middle of the slide. His introduction eventually led to the dismissal of Sampson. Frank Yallop was hired as head coach to turn the tide. Donovan and Albright returned from Germany soon thereafter, but the damage was already done.
Despite the slow start (the Galaxy managed just seven points in 11 games under Sampson and only had 12 points at the midway point of the season), Los Angeles still somehow managed to nearly duplicate last year's improbable double. The Green and Gold advanced to the U.S. Open Cup Final again in '06, losing to Chicago.
The Galaxy then fell just two points shy of catching Colorado for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Capturing any sort of accolades, however, might have spelled disaster for the '07 Galaxy.
"It's probably better that we have a chance to change some of the things that Frank (Yallop) wants to change," said Donovan. "If something like last year happens maybe we keep the same team again and not realize our faults. It's probably better this way. It's probably just."
Donovan's coach echoed his star player's thoughts late in the season after the Galaxy were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
"Maybe it's a blessing in disguise that we're out," said Yallop. "Now we can say 'that year is gone'. It was a disappointing year anyway, even if we made the playoffs. I don't think this team was good enough to win the MLS Cup."
The only thing that is certain right now is that there will be changes made to the look of the Galaxy roster. Just how many changes will be made remain to be seen.
"We're definitely going to make changes," said Lalas. "We have to upgrade and we have to improve so that in one year we're not talking about (missing the playoffs), we're talking about where and against whom we are going to be playing in a playoff game."
There are some positives that can be taken away from this season. The Galaxy amassed 27 points over the final 16 games of the season. The defense strung together five consecutive shutouts at one point in the season and the Galaxy's 37 goals against was the best defensive mark in MLS.
On the reverse side of that is an offense that struggled all season long. If not for a five-goal outburst in their final game against FC Dallas, the Galaxy would have finished with the lowest goal total in the Western Conference.
It's unlikely though that there will be a complete overhaul of the makeup of the team. Salary cap restrictions, as well as international roster slots available, will hinder the Galaxy's ability to make wholesale changes.
"There will be changes. Whether it's a lot or not, I'm not sure," said Yallop. "The staff is going over all the things we need to do to make sure we come back stronger next year. We're building the way we want to play. Once we hopefully add the right players who are going to make a difference, then we have a chance at being a good side."
Despite the limitations before them, at least one person is confident in his coach's ability to remold the Galaxy into a championship side again.
"I think we're very aware of our weaknesses and what we need to improve," said Donovan. "Frank is as savvy as anyone in this league and he knows the players he needs."
There are some on the Galaxy who feel that only a few minor adjustments need to be made. Cobi Jones, who has been through it all with the Galaxy as the only original member of the club still with the team, is quick to point out the Galaxy's success when they were clicking this year.
"I think Frank would agree it's just a few minor things that we need for this team," said Jones. "We've been playing well. As you see, when this team plays well we can do good things."
The success of the 2005 Galaxy overshadowed several problems that were lurking on the surface. As a result the '06 season was a humbling reality check. Don't expect the club to make the same mistake twice though -- this year didn't provide any excuses for the offseason.
"I would hope, given what's happened this year," said Lalas, "those lessons will be learned much better than they were in "05."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
