CARSON, Calif. – Romain Alessandrini gave LA Galaxy fans plenty of reasons to smile in the most challenging year in club history, and now he’s hoping to deliver even more in 2018.
The Galaxy’s dynamic French winger was one of four players in Major League Soccer with double-digit goals and assists as he tallied 13 goals and 12 assists in 30 appearances. Alessandrini’s sublime first season helped him capture the club's Herbalife Nutrition Player of the Year award, Golden Boot, and earned him a place on the shortlist for the league’s Newcomer of the Year honors.
The 28-year-old's success wasn’t purely limited to the pitch, however, as he and his girlfriend Fiona welcomed their first child in August. His whirlwind first year in Los Angeles now complete, Alessandrini can finally exhale and reflect before he turns the page to 2018.
“I’m really happy with this season because I gave a lot for this club and the team,” Alessandrini told LA Galaxy Insider. “It was hard for me because I changed countries, I changed my language, I came to a new culture. It was difficult for me. I had a lot to do during training and then after training to settle into the environment.
“I think I’ll enjoy time this offseason with my daughter and my girlfriend, plus my family is coming over from France for good in December. I need to get some rest, and after that, I will work hard to come back in January stronger than I am now.”
Despite his great success in 2017, Alessandrini’s achievements felt a twinge bittersweet as the Galaxy saw their season collapse with the team finishing 8-18-8 and enduring the worst year in club history.
“I think I’m very happy with the season that I had, but the most important thing is the team. I came here to win titles,” Alessandrini said. “We finished in last place, and that’s not good for me, the team, or the LA Galaxy because this is the best club in this league.”
While Alessandrini recharges his batteries ahead of the 2018 campaign, head coach Sigi Schmid and his staff will embark upon the challenge of retooling a Galaxy roster that conceded 67 times and scored just 45 goals last season. Schmid is expected to make widespread changes across the board as he looks to put his own stamp on the squad.
As he looks ahead to his second season with the Galaxy, Alessandrini believes that Schmid must bring in leaders to help the team return to the top of the table next year.
“I think we need one or two guys who can be leaders. We need one or two guys with a fighting spirit. We have a lot of players with quality, but we need leadership,” he said. “We need one or two players who can inspire the other guys. Without that, we’re a good team, but we’re not a better team. We’ll see next year.”
