The 2007 version of the Los Angeles Galaxy was one of the most anticipated teams in Major League Soccer. However, what was already going to be difficult enough conclusion to the season was torpedoed almost before it began.
Club president and general manager Alexi Lalas has repeatedly referred to the Galaxy as the "jewel of MLS." And there was no question what the crown jewel would be this season. Yet by the time that gem arrived, the setting had all but tarnished.
The Galaxy stumbled out of the gate to start the season, and before they had a chance to figure out how to fix the problem, players began leaving the team for international duty or started going down with injury.
The Galaxy were at relative full strength to start the season, but didn't pick up their second win of the season until June 17. By that time, players like Landon Donovan, Ante Jazic and Kevin Harmse had left to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Starting right fullback Chris Albright had already gone down with what turned out to be a season-ending injury and a sense of foreboding seemed to creep into the Galaxy front office.
Players like Nate Jaqua, Nathan Sturgis, Robbie Findley, Tyrone Marshall and Santino Quaranta were all traded away to try and fix a faltering Galaxy team. For a team trying to find consistency, a complete chemistry makeover halfway through the season was an even further setback.
Just as the team was trying to get to know each other, David Beckham arrived to shine an enormous spotlight on the team. Under intense scrutiny, the Galaxy found themselves involved in two international tournaments that further fatigued an already tired team.
Through the All-Star break and beyond, Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop was never able to use the same lineup for two consecutive games. At one point, Yallop only had three healthy outfield players available as subs beyond the 10 that started the game. Couple mounting injuries and lack of team chemistry with the fact that the Galaxy's schedule had been heavily backloaded in order to fully market Beckham to the entire league, and it spelled a recipe for disaster.
Fast-forward then to Sept. 23. With just four weeks to go in the regular season, the Galaxy were sitting on just four wins. It was on that day that the Galaxy began their improbable run that put them in contention for a playoff spot that lasted all the way up until the final day of the season.
That run showed that the Galaxy could gut out wins with a consistent lineup at Yallop's disposal. That run was also made without the likes of Albright, Beckham, Kelly Gray and Abel Xavier, all of whom would have started every game if they had been healthy. Pepper in a smattering of injuries to other key contributors during that run, and it was nothing short of amazing that the Galaxy were even still alive in the postseason chase come the final week of the season. Still, the Galaxy fell just short of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Despite that impressive run, and taking into consideration the number of injuries and international call-ups the Galaxy endured over the season, changes will need to be made if Los Angeles is to return to the playoffs, a place they had never missed visiting before 2006. Yallop has shown that given the tools, he can coach teams to championships in MLS.
First and foremost, the Galaxy need someone other that Landon Donovan to provide consistent offense. Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon, Carlos Pavon and Gavin Glinton combined for just 15 goals. One or more of those players will likely move on, especially with the Galaxy looking to clear some salary cap space when Beckham's full designated player salary counts against the cap.
When healthy, the Galaxy have a pretty solid back four. Chris Albright, Abel Xavier, Ante Jazic and Mike Randolph could start for a lot of teams around the league. The experience that rookie Ty Harden picked up after being forced into duty because of injuries, along with Troy Roberts, gives the Galaxy some capable cover as well.
The retirement of Cobi Jones and the perennial injury problems of young Quavas Kirk mean the Galaxy will need to add some depth on the wings. Chris Klein will be able to move into the midfield once Albright returns to the fold, and a healthy Kyle Martino can man the left side, but after that there is little depth. The Galaxy could look to offload one of their four defensive central midfielders in search of a bit more speed.
Even if the Galaxy manage to upgrade and add depth this offseason, it will mean very little if it again takes them two months to pick up two wins. A lot of attention can be focused on how the Galaxy's schedule did them no favors, especially considering the number of injuries they were dealing with. But an extremely slow start to the season when they were still relatively healthy dug them a hole from which they couldn't climb escape for a second consecutive year.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
