The Los Angeles Galaxy are barely two weeks into their preseason, and new head coach Ruud Gullit is giving everyone a chance to prove themselves. The Dutchman is bringing the typical European attitude towards coaching to MLS. The best players in training will be the players that take the field in matches.
"I have something in my mind, but I don't have the team in my mind. I have to give everybody a fair chance. Everybody has a possibility to get into the team," said Gullit. "But the team isn't only 11. I need all these players to be fit and I need all these players to come onto the pitch when they need to. It's all about the team."
Gullit hasn't had much of an opportunity to assess the technical abilities of his players and start tinkering with formations and starting lineups. The focus for the Galaxy thus far in preseason has been on conditioning. Getting that in order is job No. 1 for the Dutchman.
"Concerning what happened last year, a lot of injuries, we have to adapt them to the work they are going to be doing. First you have to have your physical conditioning in order. If you have that, you can go to the tactical aspect of the game," said Gullit. "We haven't done that. When I see the faces that can do the work they have to do, then we can proceed to the tactical work."
Gullit and the Galaxy will get a natural opportunity to take a look at starting lineups and tactics very shortly. The team departs for Hawaii on Monday to take part in the inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship. The club will take to the field for the first time under Gullit's charge on Feb. 20 when they take on J.League side Gamba Osaka at Aloha Stadium.
Following the tournament, the team will head to Asia to play a pair of exhibition games before returning to Carson and The Home Depot Center to finish the preseason. The next several weeks will go a long way in determining who's on the field come the opening weekend of the MLS season and who's still fighting to get into the team.
While the starting 11 might remain a mystery right up until the start of the season, one thing is certain: There will be no guarantees when it comes to playing time this year in Los Angeles. Naturally, there are a few players that can be inked into the Galaxy's first team, but beyond that, everyone in camp is going to be given the opportunity to make their mark.
"You want to see what the best positions are for everybody, what the best position are for the team," said Gullit. "Therefore, I have a lot of opportunities these coming weeks to see which player is best in which position."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
