CARSON, Calif. – Giovani dos Santos walked off the field after the LA Galaxy’s final match of the 2017 campaign frustrated.
What he expected to be a banner season for his club and himself was reduced to dust as the Galaxy limped to their worst campaign in club history, while he finished with just six goals and three assists in 25 matches. The team's poor showing led to a significant reshuffling at StubHub Center that saw head coach Sigi Schmid almost wholly reshape the Galaxy roster this offseason.
Although the 2017 season may have been a wash for Los Angeles, dos Santos believes that the adversity prepared him for the year ahead.
“As professional soccer players, our style of life depends on the success of the team. It was a sad and frustrating year, but I’ve been through a lot of things and last season made me stronger as a person,” dos Santos told LA Galaxy Insider. “It made me want to work harder. In the past, I’ve been through a lot of difficult things, and I knew that I always have to work hard to improve myself.
"I want to get better and help achieve the goals that I know the Galaxy have."
Determined to ensure that his struggles were an aberration, the Galaxy’s star playmaker went to work during the winter break. Most notably, the 28-year-old set out on a new conditioning regimen that has the club’s coaches impressed with his fitness at the start of preseason training camp.
READ:Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos named to Mexico roster for exhibition in San Antonio.
Ahead a year that will see dos Santos look to not only return the Galaxy to the top of MLS but also attempt to earn a place on Mexico’s roster for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Mexican international says he’s ready.
“It’s been the best offseason of my life. I believe I’m coming into the preseason in great form,” dos Santos said. “I’m getting older and have dealt with a lot of things, so I spent the offseason trying to work on things that I can’t work on during the season. I feel great right now. I know that it's a huge year for me, both with the Galaxy and my national team. I can’t wait to start this important season."
