As early injuries have shaken up Frank Yallop's squad selection in the opening games this season, there has been a real benefit that could well pay dividends down the road.
With players like Santino Quaranta, Pete Vagenas and Troy Roberts all battling some early season knocks, a handful of the younger players on the Galaxy roster have earned some quality minutes. While some of the rookies only found the field early by virtue of the fact that Yallop was limited in his selection, several of those players have more than proven they deserve to be on the field.
"I think it's both (necessity and players earning minutes) really. The guys that are playing have played well," said Yallop. "There's no change in that. Ty Harden, Robbie Findley and Kevin Harmse, who's basically a rookie, have all done well. I'm real happy with the young guys and they deserve to play."
Harden has started every game for L.A. so far this season in central defense. Harmse and Findley both came off the bench against FC Dallas, and both made their first starts of the season against Chivas USA last Saturday. Both have already notched a goal in their first MLS seasons.
The play of all the young guns has put Yallop in a position where he doesn't just have to give playing time to his veterans when they return to full fitness. According to Yallop, nobody has an assured place in the starting 11.
"There's no guarantees in the team, there can't be. There's no set 11 before the season starts. There's never a set 11 during the season," said Yallop. "It's whoever you feel is going to win the game. We make decisions to win. Young guy, old guy - it doesn't matter."
Another of the young players making an impact in a Galaxy uniform is second-year player Nathan Sturgis. One of the more versatile players on the Galaxy team, Sturgis played all along the back line last season, and he has started all three games for the Galaxy in the center of midfield this year. He's played well enough that the only thing that could supplant him from the starting 11 will be his time away from the club to participate in the FIFA World Youth Cup later this summer. Despite being only in his second year, Sturgis is really settling into the side.
"There's a lot of young guys playing and I think we're still feeling each other out. We're getting better and better, and I think we'll continue to get better," said Sturgis. "The last game definitely helped everyone with their confidence. I think the young guys will do well."
Against Chivas USA in the first Super Clasico of the season last Saturday, four players in the Galaxy starting 11 were under the age of 23. Of those players, Sturgis had the most MLS experience -- at age 19.
As the season wears on and veteran performers begin to return to full fitness, there is a chance that some of the younger players will lose their starting roles, but recent games show that they won't leave the field without a fight.
But what could be more important is that the young players getting experience now will be ready to contribute this summer when the Galaxy's schedule will test the depth of the roster.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
