CARSON, Calif. – Now that the 2014 season is over and the LA Galaxy are once again champions of MLS, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will look back on the season with his review on each position.
The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders, forwards and finally, coaches.
MIDFIELDERS:
RAFAEL GARCIA
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 1 (in MLS regular season)
- GS: 0
- G: 0
- A: 0
RAUL MENDIOLA
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 3 (in MLS regular season)
- GS: 0
- G: 0
- A: 0
KENNEY WALKER
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 10 (Eight in MLS regular season and two in U.S. Open Cup)
- GS: 5 (four in MLS regular season and one in U.S. Open Cup)
- G: 0
- A: 0
MARCELO SARVAS
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 37 (28 in MLS regular season, five in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup, and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
- GS: 33 (25 in MLS regular season, five in MLS Cup Playoffs, one in U.S. Open Cup, and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
- G: 5 (three in MLS regular season and two in MLS Cup Playoffs)
- A: 13 (11 in MLS regular season and two in MLS Cup Playoffs)
STEFAN ISHIZAKI
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 38 (30 in MLS regular season, four in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
- GS: 30 (24 in MLS regular season, four in MLS Cup Playoffs and two in U.S. Open Cup)
- G: 5 (all in MLS regular season)
- A: 9 (seven in MLS regular season, one in MLS Cup Playoffs and one in U.S. Open Cup)
BAGGIO HUSIDIC
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 41 (34 in MLS regular season, four in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup and one in CONCACAF Champions League)
- GS: 28 (26 in MLS regular season, one in MLS Cup Playoffs, one in U.S. Open Cup)
- G: 5 (all in MLS regular season)
- A: 4 (all in MLS regular season)
JUNINHO
APPPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 43 (34 in MLS regular season, five in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup, and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
- GS: 40 (31 in MLS regular season, five in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup, and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
- G: 1 (one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
- A: 5 (four in MLS regular season and one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
HIGHLIGHTS:
Throughout 2014, other MLS teams challenged for the crown of the league’s best midfield, but over the course of the season, that title belonged exclusively to the LA Galaxy. During the season, attack evolved from a counter-attacking game into a free-flowing pass-first style that produced lovely soccer and beautiful goals.
The road to this possession game was not an easy one as the club experimented with several formations along the way including a midfield diamond which enjoyed some success after the team’s early season struggles. To build this midfield cohesion, Bruce Arena relied on his Brazilian duo of Marcelo Sarvas and Juninho to run point and they did so with aplomb. Relying on their close—almost cosmic— connection, the Brazilians’ fluidity was vital for the Galaxy’s offense that was dependent on their special brand of Joga Bonito. While Sarvas and Juninho led the way, the offseason additions of Stefan Ishizaki and Baggio Husidic also blossomed into regulars in the club’s midfield rotation. Both players provided something unique as Husidic’s passing and defensive acumen proved to be the perfect balance for the attack-minded Ishizaki.
While the four players did much of the heavy lifting along with the help of forwards Landon Donovan and Gyasi Zardes along the flanks, the rest of the Galaxy midfield was used to fill in gaps along the way. None performed better than Kenney Walker who blossomed from an LA Galaxy II regular to an option for Arena when his depth in the center of the park was tested. With Arena relying on a smaller group of players, time was limited for second-year midfielder Rafael Garcia and rookie Raul Mendiola, but both players became mainstays with USL PRO affiliate LA Galaxy II.
LOWLIGHTS:
The LA Galaxy’s season began with the team’s early season failure against Club Tijuana in the CONCACAF Champions League. During the Galaxy’s second leg in Baja California, Xolos packed the midfield and hassled LA’s midfielders, preventing Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas from earning any time and space to influence the match. Their midfield overrun, the Galaxy defense was helpless to stop a Tijuana attack that ushered LA out of the CCL.
Days later, LA dealt with the same issue against Real Salt Lake, who relied on a midfield diamond that gave RSL superior numbers in the center of the park. To deal with these issues, the Galaxy changed up their strategy, first relying on their own midfield diamond –with Ishizaki and Donovan playing in the hole—before switching for good to a “flat four” formation that relied on Juninho covering for the ever-active Marcelo Sarvas. This formation flourished as the Galaxy set their course for an MLS Cup title.
OVERVIEW:
The LA Galaxy solidified their claim that they boast the league’s best midfield with yet another strong season in 2014.
With their possession-oriented style that leaned on the club’s deft passing ability, the LA attack flourished and ended the season with a league-high 69 goals. But their success makes one wonder what they may do for an encore in 2015.
All four major contributors are expected to remain with the team and will battle for starting roles as the Galaxy look to repeat as MLS Cup champions. Heading into 2015, Bruce Arena is expected to continue to lean on his passers to create scoring opportunities and find the feet of LA’s talented strike force of Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane.
Although the Galaxy’s midfield flourished en route to an MLS Cup, with a vacant Designated Player spot due to Landon Donovan’s retirement, Arena may opt to bring in a new face to the fold that could supplant one of his stalwarts in the center of the park.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
