CARSON, Calif. — At the start of the 2010 season, Dema Kovalenko was supposed to play a key role in the Los Angeles Galaxy’s midfield.
But a hamstring injury derailed any hopes of stability and consistent playing time after the veteran went the distance in the first two games of the Galaxy’s season.
But now Kovalenko is back, and he appears to have re-captured his place in the starting XI. After the injury knocked him out for more than three months, Kovalenko has slowly worked his way back into playing shape and last Saturday played 90 minutes for the second consecutive match, even scoring his first goal of the season in the Galaxy's 3-1 win over Columbus.
“I’ve been back training, but it’s different," Kovalenko said. "When you’re on the field, when you’re training or in a game, it feels a lot different. I played 90 minutes last week and Bruce gave me 90 minutes [Saturday], and I feel a lot better. But I know I have to get a little sharper, more fit a little bit, but it will come.”
Kovalenko played in the Galaxy’s 2-0 win over Chivas USA on April 1 but did not play a league game again until July 22 against San Jose. He also played Aug. 1 against Chicago, but then saw no activity until the teams met again at Toyota Park nearly one month later.
Perhaps his appearance alone wasn’t enough to turn Los Angeles' summer swoon around, but Kovalenko adds some noticeable bite to the squad when he is on the field.
“His intensity in the midfield and work ethic is important,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “This is a physical league, and we’ve missed some physical dimensions, and Dema brings that.”
With Kovalenko fully fit and available for each game, the competition for starting spots increases. Neither Michael Stephens nor Chris Birchall started against Columbus, even though the duo has combined for 44 starts this season. Instead, Kovalenko paired with Juninho in the middle of the field and the two received praise for their combined efforts.
[inline_node:318176]With David Beckham also returning against Columbus – Beckham played the final 20 minutes against the Crew – Kovalenko said he is confident in his ability to remain in the starting lineup.
“You’ve always got to be confident as a player, but the team changes," Kovalenko said. "Every guy in this locker room can do well, starting from the youngest guy, Tristan [Bowen] and the other guys. Everybody is getting healthy now, David’s back and it’s going to be tough.”
Ultimately, though, Kovalenko sees the benefits of a deeper bench for the midfield.
“I think it’s going to be good for the team," he said. "It keeps you on your toes knowing if you don’t do your job, somebody will take it. It’s good for everybody, and we have a good group of guys. We compete against each other but we understand. We’re here for a reason, and that’s to win.”
The Galaxy enter Saturday’s match against D.C. United with a chance to run their unbeaten streak to three games. While that was commonplace early in the year, LA have not had a three-game unbeaten streak in league play since June 5, when they beat Houston 4-1 to run their overall record to 10-0-2.
Saturday’s win over Columbus was encouraging, Kovalenko said, but the consistency must be there.
“Last year we got to where we wanted to be, but didn’t finish,” he said. “This year, we have the same team, we’re a good enough team and I think we have the best team in the league but we have to show it. I can say it but we have to show it.”
“If we come out and play like we did [Saturday], we’re going to be tough to beat.”
