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.
Todd Dunivant
AGE: 32
POSITION: Defender
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS FOR THE GALAXY: GP: 32 (25 in MLS Regular Season, Five in CONCACAF Champions League, two in MLS Cup Playoffs); GS: 32 (25 in MLS Regular Season, Five in CONCACAF Champions League, two in MLS Cup Playoffs); G: 0; A: 2 (All in MLS Regular Season)
APPERANCES IN GUINNESS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP: GP: 3
APPEARANCES IN MLS RESERVE LEAGUE: GP: 1; GS: 1
HIGHLIGHTS: Todd Dunivant remained the LA Galaxy’s “Mr. Reliable” in 2013 with yet another strong showing this season. The 32-year-old left back started all of his 32 appearances across all competitions for the Galaxy as he provided his classic stable defense along the left side. With a superior work rate, the wily Dunivant was frequently able to shut down opposing attackers as LA earned nine shutouts with him in the lineup. Coupled with his success on the defensive end, Dunivant tallied a pair of assists, each coming in league wins. Dunivant also took on a greater leadership role as he served as the club’s captain in five league matches as well as the team’s Guinness International Champions Cup match against Real Madrid in August.
CHALLENGES: Injuries took a toll on Dunivant in 2013 as he made just 25 MLS regular season appearances which were his lowest total since the 2009 season. Throughout the season, Dunivant dealt with a series of leg strains that caused him to miss multiple games at times. From an on field standpoint, Dunivant and the Galaxy defense struggled with consistency at times in 2013. No game best typified LA’s defensive struggles than their 2-1 defeat to the Portland Timbers on July 14. With LA up a goal, Dunivant was slow to react to a quickly taken freekick and was beaten to the far post by a hard-charging Ryan Johnson for the Timbers’ equalizer. Portland would complete their rally in stoppage time with an Andrew Jean-Baptiste goal from a set piece.
HIS THOUGHTS: “I felt as good this year as I have felt, so from that standpoint, I'm excited about it. You never know [how long you can keep playing] but I feel like I've gotten stronger, you get smarter as time goes on; you learn how to manage a season. All those things play into it, but without a doubt I’m excited to be back.”
OVERVIEW: At “a young 32” years of age, Dunivant feels that he has plenty left to give to the LA Galaxy and will have the chance to do so for two more years after re-signing with the club at season’s end. Heading into the sixth year of his second stint with LA, Dunivant is expected to continue to serve as one of the club’s leaders on and off the field provided that he can stay healthy. Rookie Greg Cochrane earned nine league starts with Dunivant out with injuries in 2013, but as long as the veteran can stay healthy, he’ll remain a fixture in Bruce Arena’s starting lineup. After all, there is no player that best embodies the Galaxy’s industrious core than the hard working veteran left back.
POLL: How would you rate Todd Dunivant’s 2013 season?
How would you rate Todd Dunivant's 2013 season?
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
