LA Galaxy: Analyzing the offseason roster needs
After another unsuccessful season, the LA Galaxy have much work to do this offseason. Here, we assess the major roster needs in order to compete for MLS Cup.
Another Major League Soccer season has ended in failure for the Los Angeles Galaxy, this time at the hands of their crosstown rivals, Los Angeles FC. And with it begins a crucial offseason for a team that has major holes throughout the starting XI and beyond.
These holes are a result of the LA Galaxy’s focus on signing big-name, marketable players in the past few years. But with Zlatan Ibrahimovic gone, LA Galaxy manager, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, can transition the club away from ‘Galactico’ signings and focus on assembling a more cohesive squad.
Here, we take a look at which positions need strengthening and what squad changes the LA Galaxy must make this offseason if they are to again challenge for an MLS Cup.
Attack
The departure of Ibrahimovic leaves a hole at the striker position. Although the LA Galaxy have some strong attacking options, there is no true number nine to lead the attack. There have been rumors of the Galaxy pursuing Edinson Cavani, Zlatan’s former teammate, but opting for a cheaper striker might well benefit the team more.
With the loan extension of Cristian Pavon, the potential resigning of Romain Alessandrini and a healthy Sebastian Lletget, the Galaxy have elite attacking options. They just don’t have a center-forward.
Therefore, a younger striker who can bring consistency and longevity to the position is needed more than another ‘Galactico’ signing like Cavani. Moreover, for depth and potential rotation, do not look much further than LA Galaxy II youngster Mohammed Kamara, who has enjoyed a successful start in his first season.
Midfield
The most stable area of the squad, the LA Galaxy’s midfield is strong in all positions. Pavon and Lletget are great creators with the ball at their feet, and if Alessandrini resigns and can stay healthy, he could yet be one of the greatest ‘signings’ of the offseason. Jonathan dos Santos and Perry Kitchen anchor the midfield well, while Joe Corona and Efrain Alvarez add quality youth from the bench.
There is not too much to fix in the midfield except adding depth to the wide areas. Emmanuel Boateng, who often provided a spark off the bench, was traded to D.C. United in August, and in his absence, there hasn’t been much quality outside the starting wingers. A signing like Miguel Ibarra could add depth and quality MLS experience to the squad. Still, the LA Galaxy’s midfield is the least of their concerns. Investment is better spent elsewhere.
Defense
The Achilles heel of the LA Galaxy for the past few seasons has been their defense. They conceded 59 goals last season, which was tied for third-worst in the Western Conference and fifth-worst in the league. The year prior, they conceded 64 goals. These goals allowed aren’t due to poor goalkeeping either. David Bingham made 141 saves last season, the most in the league. The Galaxy need a defensive rebuild across the line in order to have any shot of competing for an MLS title next season.
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It doesn’t help that arguably their best center-back, Diego Polenta, left the club this offseason. Although Polenta had his struggles throughout the season, he was far superior to the other defenders in the squad. The Galaxy’s main priority this offseason should be to sign a center-back who can not only replace Polenta but improve upon his performances. A proven leader who can control the backline and bring stability to the defense is a necessity. A player similar to Matt Hedges of FC Dallas could fix their defensive woes.
One player that will have a lot to prove this upcoming season is Giancarlo Gonzalez, known as ‘Pipo’. After a rough first season with the Galaxy, Pipo needs to prove to Guillermo Barros Schelotto that he deserves his starting spot. Maybe a new center-back partner will help boost his performances, but he has a long season ahead of him to win the hearts of Galaxy supporters.
As for the full-backs, the outlook is not much brighter. The LA Galaxy shipped David Romney to Nashville SC, so left-back is a position of need. The selection of 22-year-old left-back Danilo Acosta in the 2019 End of Year Waiver Draft helps and he could be the future for the Galaxy at that position, but another option might not be a bad thing. Right-back is the only position with stability along the defense, with Rolf Feltscher a decent option and the young Julian Araujo looking like a promising future star.
dark. Next. LA Galaxy: Top 5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic replacements
All in all, this offseason is crucial for the LA Galaxy. They have the basic tools to become a strong contender in 2020, but they must be supplemented with significant spending and smart recruitment. If the LA Galaxy can bolster the center-forward position and fix the defense, watch out. If they cannot, there is little to hope for next season.