CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2016 was a tumultuous one filled with brilliant goals and frustrating moments for Bruce Arena’s men, ultimately ending in a penalty kick shootout defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals.
As we look back on 2016, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a weekly review of each position. The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
GOALKEEPERS:
BRIAN ROWE
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS FOR THE GALAXY FIRST TEAM:
GP: 35 (31 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, one in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 34 (30 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, one in U.S. Open Cup)
RECORD: 14-7-14; SV: 127; GAA: 1.05; SO: 10
DAN KENNEDY
APPEARANCES IN ALL COMPETITIONS:
GP: 5 (Three in MLS regular season and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 4 (Two in MLS regular season and two in CONCACAF Champions League)
RECORD: 0-1-2; SV: 13; GAA: 2.14; SO: 1
CLEMENT DIOP
GP: 5 (Three in U.S. Open Cup and two in MLS regular season)
GS: 5 (Three in U.S. Open Cup and two in MLS regular season)
RECORD: 3-1-1; SV: 16; GAA: 1.20; SO: 1
HIGHLIGHTS:
The 2016 campaign was the year of Rowe.
For the past two seasons, Brian Rowe has shown his quality in limited action for the Galaxy first team, but in 2016, he took full advantage of his opportunity to start. Rowe made a career-high 35 appearances across all competitions for the Galaxy, earning a 14-7-14 record.
A consistent presence in goal, Rowe put up solid numbers that were worthy of goalkeeper of the year consideration. In just his first full year as a starter, Rowe finished third in total saves with 113 and third in shutouts with nine on the year. Rowe also kept a 1.10 goals against average which was lower than MLS Goalkeeper of the Year winner Andre Blake.
Rowe might not be known for his dynamic saves, but the 28-year-old showcased an ability to make the big stop when called upon with many impressive saves while twice winning the league’s Save of the Week honors. The netminder’s finest effort may have come in the postseason, however, when he batted away at Jermaine Jones shot from distance with a pair of outstretched hands.
Rowe wasn’t the only bright spot in goal, however, as newcomer Clement Diop showcased an expertise that could make him a contender for the Galaxy’s top job in the future. While Rowe was the steady hand in net, Diop was the opposite, known for his flair for the dramatic and ability to take considerable chances to stop plays.
Diop made five starts for the first team, earning a 3-1-1 record, while continuously providing highlight-reel saves not seen since the days of Jaime Penedo. Despite being just 23-years-old, Diop never seemed overmatched by first team duty as he consistently showcased the big play ability that helped him excel with USL side LA Galaxy II.
In addition to five appearances for the first team, Diop also shined for Los Dos, playing in 22 matches, making 62 saves and keeping a 1.18 GAA in USL.
As the Galaxy move into the 2017 season, both goalkeepers are on stable footing to continue their development with the club.
LOWLIGHTS:
Brian Rowe and Clement Diop took significant steps forward in their development, but both goalkeepers showed that they’ve still got plenty to learn ahead of next season.
A picture of stability in most of his appearances, Rowe did have several costly miscues that ultimately cost the Galaxy points during the regular season. None was more prominent than the team’s 3-2 defeat to Montreal in May when he was unable to handle a Didier Drogba free kick at the death, ultimately costing the Galaxy a valuable point. If Rowe can cut down these issues entirely, expect him to stake his claim as one of the league’s most talented goalkeepers.
As for Diop, the talented Parisian’s hard-charging ways remain a portion of his game that he’ll need to rein in ahead of the 2017 campaign. Although no doubt a gifted physical specimen, Diop’s decision-making—particularly on when to leave his line—will need to show improvement for him to challenge Rowe’s starting spot next year.
However, no goalkeeper on the Galaxy’s roster endured a tougher year than veteran Dan Kennedy. Signed in the offseason to serve as the starter for 2016, Kennedy sustained a groin injury 20 minutes into the club’s regular season opener that left him sidelined and allowed Rowe to cement his place as the starter.
After finding himself behind Rowe, Kennedy was allowed just a single complete start in 2016, coming in the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw with the Philadelphia Union in May. The match was a frustrating one for Los Angeles as the Galaxy’s defense twice conceded leads allowing Philadelphia to earn a point.
With Kennedy’s status for next year in question, the Galaxy may opt to bring in another experienced goalkeeper to compete with Rowe and Diop ahead of training camp in January.
OVERVIEW:
After an uncertain offseason a year ago, the LA Galaxy appear to have found their goalkeeper for the foreseeable future.
In his first season as a starting goalkeeper, Brian Rowe capitalized on his opportunity, delivering a career-year that was comparable to some of the league’s top netminders. Although there is certainly room for the youngster to improve, Rowe was the steady presence that the Galaxy have not had in goal since the 2014 campaign.
With Rowe positioned to be the starter heading into the preseason, the G must now decide who will compete with the 28-year-old for the top spot. Dan Kennedy’s status is in question after a frustrating year for the veteran, meaning the Galaxy will be expected to acquire an experienced hand to join Rowe and the encouraging Clement Diop.
The 23-year-old Parisian is also an exciting prospect who is likely to once again to earn spot starts for the first team and lead Galaxy II in goal as he continues his development.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
