Now that the 2013 season is over, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will look back on the season for every player who was on the club’s roster at some point during the season.
VIEW SCHEDULE HERE
The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with players who made the least number of appearances for the club in all official competitions over the course of the year, starting with Brian Perk and Bryan Gaul, who did not make any appearances for the first team this year, and concluding with midfielder Marcelo Sarvas who played in a team-best 42 games for LA this year. There will also be an evaluation of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena and his moves at the conclusion of the list.
We will have one or two evaluations per day and focus on what each player did well and what challenges they faced in 2013 as well as a select thought from the player on their performance and an overall assessment of their season from myself.
Jack McBean
AGE: 18
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS FOR THE GALAXY: GP: 21 (15 in MLS Regular Season and six in CONCACAF Champions League); GS: 10 (7 in MLS regular season and three in CONCACAF Champions League); G: 3 (Two in CONCACAF Champions League and one in MLS); A: 2 (Two in MLS)
APPERANCES IN GUINNESS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP: GP: 1
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: GP: 6; GS: 4; G: 1; A: 1
HIGHLIGHTS: Jack McBean seemed poised to be a breakout star for the Galaxy at the beginning of the year as he was given a chance to start five of LA’s first seven matches with Landon Donovan still working his way back into form. Given the opportunity to see significant minutes, McBean scored his second career league goal on March 17 in LA’s 1-1 draw to Chivas USA and later added two assists during his string of five straight starts. After recovering from a fractured left clavicle that he suffered in April, McBean enjoyed his strongest performance of the year during the Galaxy’s CONCACAF Champions League victory against C.S. Cartaginés in September as he opened the scoring in the six minute and played a role in LA’s two subsequent goals. Although he was unable to regain the sharpness that he enjoyed at the start of the season, McBean’s 21 appearances in all competitions were more than double his combined total of his two previous seasons with the Galaxy. Following the season, McBean went on a two-week training stint to England with League One side Wolverhampton Wanderers and Football League Championship club Blackburn Rovers.
CHALLENGES: The 18-year-old’s season could have been vastly different if not for suffering a fractured left clavicle during LA’s April 27 match against Real Salt Lake. McBean had been enjoying one of his stronger games of the year in the Galaxy’s eventual 3-1 defeat, but collided with RSL defender Nat Borchers in the 52nd minute resulting in an injury that kept him out of commission until June. After recovering from the injury, McBean struggled to regain the confidence that was emblematic of his early season rise. Although he was given two starts in league play due to the Galaxy’s international absences, he was could not have the same type of impact offensively. McBean’s most challenging match came on Oct. 24 in the Galaxy’s CONCACAF Champions League defeat to Isidro Metapán when he was a nonfactor in just 45 minutes of work.
HIS THOUGHTS: “I started off well. I got some opportunities with some guys unavailable and stepped up and was playing well, but then unfortunately got injured. I didn’t really get back to the form that I was in, but it was a good year I think. It was a great learning experience and I expect to be back next year. I feel more part of the team because I’ve played more games than both years combined, but I would have liked to be back on the field during the second half of the season.
OVERVIEW: LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena has stated that the club is searching for a target forward presence that they lacked in 2013. However with an opportunity, the right amount of confidence, and a touch of skill, McBean could be that target forward. During the start of the season, the forward was able to hold up the ball and create opportunities for LA’s other options in the attack, but could not regain that form after his injury. For McBean to emerge as an option for Bruce Arena, he’ll need to hit the ground running in preseason and show that he can consistently provide the type of production that he enjoyed at the start of their last campaign.
POLL: How would you rate Jack McBean’s 2013 season with the Galaxy?
How would you rate Jack McBean's 2013 season?
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
