WASHINGTON – Bradley Diallo is determined to make the LA Galaxy’s revolving door right back position his own and if his last few matches are any indication; the Frenchman is well on his way.
Diallo shined in last weekend’s 4-2 victory over the Earthquakes, helping create two goals en route to Los Angeles’ third consecutive victory. The versatile defender who has seen time at left back, central defender, and right back during his tenure with the club has made six appearances in his first season with the Galaxy.
The conversion to right back has been an easy one for the defender who believes that he’s well-suited to changing roles.
“I play with both feet, so it’s not a problem playing outside back, in fact, I used to be a left back. Left or right, it’s the same,” Diallo told LA Galaxy Insider. “I just needed a couple of games to get adjusted to the position. Otherwise, I feel good out there.
“I try to do well every game, and I want to improve. I feel like nothing is secure. We all need to perform well because we have a lot of good players on the team. If we don’t compete hard, we could lose our spot, so I make sure to compete hard every game.”
Against the Earthquakes, Diallo was at his best as he terrorized the home side’s left flank.
Over his 90-minute shift, Diallo won a penalty to set up the team’s opener before helping create an own goal as his cross deflected off Victor Bernardez for eventual game-winner. Diallo’s contributions weren’t purely limited to the offense as he secured the right side of the Galaxy’s flank with a team-high six tackles as well as three clearances and two interceptions.
When describing the Frenchman’s talents, Galaxy boss Curt Onalfo, who coached Diallo for three seasons with Los Dos, does not hold back, even labeling him one of his best defenders during his Galaxy II tenure.
“He was our best defender with LA Galaxy II for a long period,” Onalfo said of the defender who made 46 appearances with Los Dos under the new Galaxy boss. “Him being a foreigner always made it harder, he’s a very good defender, and obviously, last year, he had that terrible knee injury, so that hurt him. His concentration levels are excellent. He doesn’t get beat, and he locks down the entire side of the field.
“On top of that, he can run all day, and he does a good job in terms of playing with the ball and making decisions. That part, I was a little concerned because right back isn’t his natural position, but he just locks down that side. He’s been excellent. There are no two-ways about it.”
Diallo’s seamless transition to right back has been aided by the presence of fellow Marseille native Romain Alessandrini along the right flank. In four matches together along the right side, the pair have fostered a fruitful attacking bond that Alessandrini dubbed “the French Connection.”
“We speak French together, so it’s easier for him and me. Since he played right back, he does well. He plays very hard defensively,” Alessandrini told LA Galaxy Insider. “He gives me the ball quickly, and I feel comfortable with him behind me. It’s good, and I hope we keep going like that together.”
Diallo’s run comes at a critical time for the defender personally as well as spiritually. A practicing Muslim, Diallo is among the millions of Muslims observing the holy month of Ramadan.
During the 30-day observance, Diallo fasts from dawn-to-dusk, but despite the difficulty, the 26-year-old has found ways to remain faithful and keep his fitness at a top level.
“I’ve gotten used to fasting, so it’s not that difficult,” Diallo says. “You have to make sure that you eat well in the morning, eat well at night, and get a lot of fluids. Otherwise, when the body gets adjusted to it, I feel like I can perform as well as the other guys. I don’t like to take it as an excuse. I just do my best.”
As he looks to solidify himself as the Galaxy’s right back for the long term, Diallo admits that given his long road to the top he’s not taking anything for granted.
“Everything happens for a reason. When I got hurt, the first thing I wanted was to get back healthy, play games and get back to my level,” Diallo said. “I didn’t know things would go so fast after I came back from the injury, but I was really happy when they called me in for preseason, and I told myself that I had to get this chance.
“That’s why I worked hard in the offseason to get back to my level. To make the most of this.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at www.LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
