Los Angeles Galaxy
The Home Depot Center (Capacity: 27,000)
2007 Record: 9-14-7, 34 pts. (5th in Western Conference)
GF: 38 (8th in MLS)
GA: 48 (12th in MLS)
Finish: Did not make MLS Cup Playoffs
Head Coach: Ruud Gullit (first season with club)
Key Departures: Cobi Jones, Joe Cannon, Chris Albright, Ty Harden, Gavin Glinton
Key Additions: Carlos Ruiz, Alvaro Pires, Greg Vanney
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Steve Cronin: The departure of Joe Cannon opened the door for Cronin to become a starter for the first time in his career. Josh Wicks has pushed Cronin in preseason, but this is still Cronin's job to lose.
DEFENDERS
Chris Klein: Right back really isn't Klein's preferred position, but he did so well here last season, the Galaxy felt comfortable trading away World Cup veteran Chris Albright to New England this winter.
Abel Xavier: Mountains of experience make Xavier, a one-time Portugal international who played in the World Cup, an obvious choice in the center of the back line for the Galaxy.
Greg Vanney: The Galaxy didn't bring in a lot of new players via trade this offseason, but Vanney was one they did. The former U.S. international should have no problem locking down a place in the Los Angeles defense.
Michael Gavin: With Ante Jazic recovering from surgery and Mike Randolph struggling in preseason, Gavin has stepped in and take over the left fullback position.
MIDFIELDERS
David Beckham: Beckham's ability to serve in crosses is too valuable to not put him on the wing, especially with a player like Carlos Ruiz up top who is extraordinarily strong in the air for a player his size.
Alvaro Pires: The Brazilian has been one of the most consistent players throughout the preseason for the Galaxy. He played so well that the Galaxy had no qualms getting rid of Kelly Gray and Kevin Harmse.
Josh Tudela: It will be a trial by fire season for Tudela, who barely sniffed the field in his rookie season last year for the Galaxy.
Landon Donovan: Ruud Gullit experimented with Donovan on the left against Dallas in the preseason, and looked dangerous. Expect the experiment to continue until further notice.
FORWARDS
Carlos Ruiz: "Fish" returns to Los Angeles, with a lot of pressure on his shoulders. The Galaxy offense struggled for much of the year last year, and Ruiz will be expected to take a huge load off of Donovan's shoulders.
Alan Gordon: Staying healthy will be the only thing preventing Gordon from staying in the starting 11 this year. Gullit experimented with him in the midfield, but at 6-foot-3, he's just too big not to park in the box.
OUTLOOK
The Galaxy should be an improved team this year, but the West is improved overall as well. LA should be able to contend for a playoff spot, where as they proved in 2005, anything is possible.
GRADING THE SEASON
It would be a monumental failure if the Galaxy misses the playoffs for the third year in a row. Getting back to the postseason has to be considered a success, especially considering the down years of the last two seasons.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
If Carlos Ruiz doesn't have the biggest impact on the Galaxy this season, then something went terribly wrong with LA this season.
-- Greg Daurio
