LA Galaxy: 2018 reconstruction begins to take shape with 2 key signings
Dead last in MLS in 2017, the 5-time Cup champions LA Galaxy have a lot of ground to catch up in 2018. Sigi starts the process with two key signings.
Eight wins, only three of those at home, and a -22 goal differential. A long and hard fall from a team that recently was quickly collecting MLS Cups and boasting the likes of David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane. The 2017 Galaxy wasn’t without quality players, but everything fell apart quickly and the club never could recover.
In the summer the club hired long-time Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid to help fix their issues. Even his vast MLS experience couldn’t offer much of saving with a squad that looked lost. Luckily for the Galaxy, relegation doesn’t yet exist, or they’d be preparing to face off against USL sides.
The Rebuild Begins
On Tuesday, the club announced the signing of former DC United standout, Perry Kitchen. After two years playing in Europe, the Galaxy picks up a versatile and hard-working midfielder.
In December LA traded for the rights to San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham. He was formally announced today, and would take over as the new #1, following the departure of Brian Rowe to the Vancouver Whitecaps, Jon Kempin to the Columbus Crew, and Clement Diop to the Montreal Impact. Clearly, Sigi was not pleased with the entire goalkeeping lineup.
Jorgen Skjelvik and Rolf Feltscher were brought in on free transfers, both with international experience for Norway and Venezuela, respectively. Servando Carrasco, originally drafted by Sigi at Seattle in 2011, rejoins him in LA, now on his 5th MLS side.
The Talent Needs A Plan
On paper, the 2017 Galaxy should have performed much better. The same applies, if not even more, for this upcoming year. Take a look at a potential starting XI as of today, using a 3-4-3:
- GK: David Bingham
- Defenders: Daniel Steres, Ashley Cole, & Rolf Feltscher
- Midfielders: Romain Alessandrini, Jonathan dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget, & Perry Kitchen
- Forwards: Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng & Gyasi Zardes
The defense still remains a question, and Sigi likely won’t prefer a 3-4-3 at the start. But the Galaxy’s front 7 already is an impressive lineup and would create a good problem for Schmid to figure out how to fit them all on the pitch. The issue comes down to the system and their cohesion.
Next: USMNT: Predicting the Starting XI for the 1/28 match
Outside of the MLS Draft, the LA Galaxy have three key questions to answer. First, will Sebastian Lletget be fit to start the season and be able to return to his prior form? Second, can Romain Alessandrini duplicate his impressive debut season in MLS? And third, how can Sigi strengthen the defense to buy his attackers long enough to find a rhythm? Expect a much more entertaining 2018 at the StubHub Center.