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.
Tommy Meyer
AGE: 23
POSITION: Defender
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS FOR THE GALAXY: GP: 11 (7 in MLS, 3 in CONCACAF Champions League, 1 in U.S. Open Cup); GS: 9 (5 in MLS, 3 in CONCACAF Champions League, 1 in U.S. Open Cup); G: 0; A: 0
APPEARANCES IN GUINNESS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP: GP: 2
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: GP: 8; GS: 7
HIGHLIGHTS: Tommy Meyer endured a challenging 2013 season, but the defender was a frequent contributor for a Galaxy reserve side that won the MLS Reserve League West Division title for the second straight year. However, Meyer’s best first team performance of the season came on June 19, when he helped shut down the Portland Timbers attack in a scoreless draw making 10 clearances as well a key block of a Ryan Johnson chance in the second half. The draw was Meyer’s fourth consecutive start in all competitions for the Galaxy, which was his longest run of appearances in 2013. The second year defender was also a consistent contributor for LA throughout their CONCACAF Champions League campaign as he made three starts helping LA get back to the Champions League Quarterfinals for a third straight year.
CHALLENGES: Following a stellar end to his rookie season, Meyer struggled with consistency during his second year with the Galaxy. A hamstring injury during the preseason sidelined Meyer as Leonardo and later A.J. DeLaGarza locked down the starting role alongside Omar Gonzalez. Meyer received his opportunity to start in the U.S. Open Cup and started the next three games in early June when Gonzalez was away for World Cup Qualifying. However, he could not command a permanent place in the starting lineup and would make just one additional start in the league for the rest of the year. While Meyer did start three games in the CONCACAF Champions League, performing well and helping his side keep a clean sheet in each of the first two; he struggled mightily in LA’s 4-0 defeat to Isidro Metapán in El Salvador as he was exposed repeatedly by forward Nicolas Muñoz.
HIS THOUGHTS: “This was not the way that I wanted the year to go. There were times in the year where I felt like I was more confident and there were times in the year where I felt like I was less confident in games and in practice. It was an up and down year, and I need to find a way to be more consistent if I’m here. Hopefully, I’ll be here and be able to build upon the stuff this year.”
OVERVIEW: Tommy Meyer went from starter on the 2012 MLS Cup championship team to fringe player during the 2013 season as he endured a challenging year. Expected to take a major step forward and challenge for a starting role alongside Omar Gonzalez, Meyer found himself buried on the depth chart behind Leonardo, A.J. DeLaGarza, and eventually rookie Kofi Opare. How the 23-year-old responds will likely determine how his career will turn out as Meyer must regain the confidence that made him an integral member of the Galaxy’s run to their fourth MLS title just a year ago. For Meyer to do this, he must capitalize on his on-the-field chances as he was exposed in key moments during the 2013 season. Although he struggled in 2013, Meyer has physical tools to become a valuable defender in MLS.
POLL: How would you rate Tommy Meyer’s 2013?
How would you rate Tommy Meyer's 2013 season?
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
