CARSON, Calif. – The 2014 season normally would have been one to remember for the LA Galaxy’s Todd Dunivant. He and his wife Caroline welcomed the arrival of their daughter Lula and he won his fifth MLS Cup. But the season was far from normal.
In fact, it almost was a lost cause. Injuries limited the veteran left back to just eight appearances in all competitions, including five regular-season starts. But now the 34-year-old, the club’s longest-tenured player, is healthy and anxious to be a contributor again.
“I feel good, I feel healthy,” he said after Thursday’s light training session. “It’s weird when you’re so excited about preseason, but I think I’m in the minority with that.”
The problems started for Dunivant, entering his 13th season, on April 5, when he suffered a torn abdominal muscle in a 3-0 victory over Chivas USA. They got worse five months later, when a collision with Colorado’s Nick LaBrocca left him with a torn groin muscle.
He was reduced to a spectator’s role during the Galaxy’s impressive run to another championship, but he was far from inactive. In fact, he was adamant he would contribute in some way. He knew he couldn’t be on the field but he was intent on helping Robbie Rogers, his replacement at left back, and being as much of a positive influence on his teammates as possible.
“It was bits and pieces,” he said. “Helping with the locker room, talking to the guys, giving advice on players you played against, talking to guys about their games, going over video, being tough in practice,” he said. “All these things help.
“When you’re in that position, it can be easy to be a distraction, to be angry and be somebody who’s disruptive in the locker room and to the coaching staff. It was my intention to not be that and be a net plus and not a net negative.”
Dunivant said he found his teammates to be highly receptive to his advice. Particularly Rogers, a former midfielder who was asked by head coach Bruce Arena to play a new position. Rogers went on to have a season some observers felt rejuvenated his career.
“We talked a lot about upcoming opponents, even halftime at games, about what was going on,” Dunivant said. “We always had a dialogue. It was a new position for him and for me to be able to help him along the way was important.
“It was another reason why things went so well.”
Dunivant now is hopeful of regaining his spot on the club, not that he ever was in danger of losing it. But he did admit to having occasional doubts as to whether he still fit in with the Galaxy.
“When you’re injured it’s hard because your hands are tied behind your back. You never know,” he said. “But my mindset was to always work as hard as I could and be available at the end of the year and always give Bruce that option. That’s always been my philosophy.
“I’m excited to get back out there.”
