The Los Angeles Galaxy officially kicked off their 2007 campaign this week as they opened preseason training at The Home Depot Center.
The boys from Victoria Street opened preparations for the upcoming season with some familiar faces missing. Chris Albright and Landon Donovan were away on national team duty along with new signings Joe Cannon and Nate Jaqua. And, of course, one Mr. David Beckham isn't set to arrive in the Southland until summer.
The absence of the new MLS megastar didn't stop the press from showing up in droves on Monday to create a buzz in Los Angeles never before seen for the opening of practice. While there is plenty of excitement with the players as far as what Beckham will mean to the club, there is also an excitement about the fact that the Galaxy finally get to put last year's disappointing season behind them and begin a new chapter.
"It's a great feeling. Obviously it's nice to have a new season upon us and have new fresh goals for this season," said head coach Frank Yallop. "It was disappointing last season, but I felt we grew in certain areas as a team."
The Galaxy missed the playoffs for the first time in league history last season. With the offseason acquisitions the team made and the fact that Yallop will be at the helm from the outset, expectations are soaring.
"Our goal is always to win championships," said veteran defender Tyrone Marshall. "I think this year we should get to the championship. If we fall short I think it's going to be a disappointing year for us."
The Galaxy will have plenty of opportunity to win trophies this year. In addition to the MLS cup, the Galaxy will participate in the U.S. Open Cup as well as the newly formed SuperLiga tournament. The enormity of games on the Galaxy schedule this year has Marshall talking about another set of team goals as well.
"General goals obviously is getting back to the playoffs, winning the West, and staying healthy," said Marshall. "In the last three months of the season we're going to be swamped with games."
Yallop has an even simpler goal -- simpler in theory if not in substance.
"I want to perform well in all the games. I can live with losing. I don't want to be a team that's not good and losing, as well," said Yallop. "I want to be a team that's exciting to watch."
The addition of Beckham alone will provide some awe inspiring moments on the field for the Galaxy. The space he'll open up for creative players like Donovan and Santino Quaranta to run through will make the Galaxy a very dangerous team offensively.
"It's very exciting with everything that's been going on in the offseason, with all the moves we made. It's very exciting just to be back on the pitch," said Marshall. "Last year is last year. The future is to get back to where we're used to being, on top."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
