The 2014 Los Angeles Galaxy season was nothing short of historic. It was the end of the Landon Donovan Era, and Bruce Arena’s Galaxy won a record fifth MLS Cup. With three league championships in four seasons and five out of the last 13, the Galaxy have established themselves as the most storied dynasty in Major League Soccer. Let’s take a look at how their season unfolded here on the MLS Multiplex.
The arrivals of James Riley, Dan Gargan, Stefan Ishizaki, Baggio Husidic and Alan Gordon in the summer would be instrumental to the Galaxy’s success in 2014. March started off on the wrong foot with a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake at home on Mar. 8 at StubHub Center. Following a 1-1 draw on the road against RSL, the Galaxy did find their footing with a 3-0 shutout win over Chivas USA on Apr. 6 and a 1-0 shutout win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.
A dry spell would follow between Apr. 19 and May 17 with the Galaxy incurring two losses and two draw, all on the road. The Galaxy would then kick into high gear with an unbeaten run between May 21 and July 16. Notable victories include a 4-1 rout of the Philadelphia Union on May 25 at home which saw Landon Donovan break the all-time career goals record and a 5-1 smashing of the New England Revolution, whose paths would cross late on.
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A 2-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City on Jul. 19 at Sporting Park was followed by a 3-0 win at CenturyLink Field over the Seattle Sounders on Jul. 28, a 3-1 win over the Portland Timbers at StubHub and a 2-2 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at home. However, the Galaxy would then suffer the worst loss of the season, a 4-1 dressing down by the Columbus Crew on Aug. 16 at Crew Stadium. But that would be the turning point in the season for the Galaxy.
Los Angeles went on another tear, going 8-0-2, with notable victories coming at home against D.C. United (4-1, Aug. 27), at home against Colorado (6-0, Sept. 5), at home against the New York Red Bulls (4-0, Spet. 28) and at home against Toronto FC (3-0, Oct. 4), the latter in which Donovan shattered the career assists record. The Galaxy would not finish October strong, however, going 0-2-1 with losses to FC Dallas (2-1, Oct. 12) and Seattle (2-0, Oct. 25) on the road.
The View from Avalon
The Galaxy would start off their postseason run against the team that eliminated them last year, Real Salt Lake. Following the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals that saw both teams go scoreless at Rio Tinto Stadium on Nov. 1, the Galaxy blew the lid on RSL in the second leg at StubHub in a 5-0 rout on Nov. 9. Donovan scored a hat trick in the 10th, 54th and 72nd minute to lead the Galaxy. Also on the feast were Robbie Keane (20′), the league MVP, and Marcelo Sarvas (63′).
In the Western Conference Championship, the Galaxy would face another rising nemesis, the Seattle Sounders. Sarvas was the hero in the first leg on Nov. 23, scoring in the 52nd minute to give the Galaxy a 1-0 victory. The Galaxy would go on to lose the second leg 2-1 at CenturyLink on Nov. 30. However, Juninho’s goal in the 54th minute would be the difference make that sent the Galaxy to the MLS Cup Final.
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As with the first two MLS Cup meetings with the New England Revolution, the Galaxy would win the trophy in extra time. Gyasi Zardes scored in the 52nd minute and that seemed to be the difference…until Chris Tierney equalized in the 79th minute of play. Fittingly, the league MVP and Galaxy captain, Robbie Keane, would go on to score the game winner in the 111th minute off a long through ball from Sarvas. For his efforts, Keane was given the MLS Cup MVP Award.
With the 17-7-10 record, the Galaxy finished second in the MLS Western Conference and second in the league while qualifying for CONCACAF Champions League. In the process, they showed their benevolence by helping Real Salt Lake return to CCL play. As for Los Angeles, some players could be on their way out, such as Chandler Hoffman, Leonardo and Alan Gordon. At the victory rally on Monday, Rob Friend announced that he is stepping away from the game. In addition to Donovan and Friend, James Riley is also going to call it quits after a long career. He goes out a champion as well.
In more retirement news, I’m hearing LA’s James Riley will retire. 10 seasons, 5 U.S. Open Cups, & an #MLS Cup w/Galaxy last night #ClassAct
— Ives Galarcep (@SoccerByIves) December 8, 2014
Otherwise, most of the pieces to the championship puzzle will be protected for next season, including defenders A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Robbie Rogers and Dan Gargan; midfielders Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas and Stefan Ishizaki; forwards Keane and Zardes; and goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, who is the first Panamanian goalkeeper to win an MLS Cup. Great teams don’t rebuild; they reload. The Los Angeles Galaxy are a team capable of reloading and reloading with style. Soon, a new hashtag may have to be created in the not-too-distant future: #FirstToSix.