Los Angeles Galaxy
The Home Depot Center (Capacity: 27,000)
2005 Record: 13-13-6, 45 pts. 4th in the Western Conference
GF: 44 (8th in MLS)
GA: 45 (7th in MLS)
Finish: MLS Cup Champion. Defeated San Jose Earthquakes in Conference Semfinal Series (4-2 on agg.); defeated Colorado Rapids in Conference Championship (1-0); defeated New England Revolution 1-0 in MLS Cup 2005.
Head Coach: Steve Sampson
Key Departures: Midfielder Guillermo Ramirez, defender Michael Umaña
Key Additions: None
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Kevin Hartman: So long as Kevin Hartman is lacing up his cleats in Los Angeles, the goalkeeper job is his.
DEFENDERS
Chris Albright: Has developed into one of the premier players at a fullback position in all of MLS. Albright rounds out a back line that, when healthy and available, stacks up against any other starting unit in the league.
Ugo Ihemelu: Opened a lot of eyes last season as a rookie. Don't expect a sophomore slump this year: time spent with the U.S. national team this winter has boosted the second-year man's confidence.
Tyrone Marshall: The 6-foot-2 Jamaican international will again anchor the Galaxy defense. With no international commitments this season, expect the center of the Galaxy defense to be well organized all season long.
Todd Dunivant: Last season's steadiest performer for the Galaxy, he started every regular season game. That streak might be in jeopardy as Dunivant is on the bubble to make the U.S. World Cup roster.
MIDFIELDERS:
Cobi Jones: Despite being one of the few MLS originals still in the league, Jones brings more speed to the right side than most MLS teams are equipped to handle.
Paulo Nagamura: The return of Marcelo Saragosa makes this an interesting decision for Steve Sampson. But as the season opens it seems as though Sampson would prefer Nagamura in this role.
Pete Vagenas: He wears the captain's armband for the Galaxy, and played in a driving central midfield role all of last season. The Galaxy's team leader both on and off the field.
Josh Gardner: Gardner has been a revelation for the Galaxy this preseason. His speed and willingness to take on defenders on the left flank adds a dimension to the Galaxy attack that was sorely lacking all last season on the left.
FORWARDS
Herculez Gomez: Was named team MVP last season and will be out to prove that was no fluke. Will be under a lot of pressure to produce this season, especially when Landon Donovan is away with the U.S. national team for the World Cup.
Landon Donovan: Simply one of the most talented players in all of MLS. Involved in an average of at least a goal per game last season, notching 12 goals and 10 assists in just 22 games played last year.
OUTLOOK
The road the Galaxy took en route to last season's MLS Cup was the toughest one ever taken in MLS history. They limped into the playoffs as the last seed in the West. Long stretches in the summer spent on the road without several starters who missed time with international duty led to that low seeding. On paper, their starting 11 is a championship-caliber lineup. The biggest question mark for this season will be just how many of the Galaxy's starters will end up on the U.S. World Cup roster. Despite the fact that both of last season's expansion teams have upgraded for this year, the Galaxy should almost certainly make the playoffs. How they are seeded is an entirely different question, but the Green and Gold proved last year that when they are at full strength, they are the team to beat.
NEWCOMER WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT: Herculez Gomez
After his performance over the last part of last season it might not be correct to call him a newcomer, but now in a starting role, Gomez is going to have to duplicate last season's performance to keep the Galaxy going this summer. Having Donovan playing alongside him to open the year will help him get off on the right foot. Steve Sampson will need him to maintain his productivity though when Donovan is in Germany representing the USA in the World Cup. The Galaxy can't afford a Gomez decline this season if they want to win the West.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
