LAFC: Andy Najar’s return to MLS means strong get stronger

LAFC’s recent addition of Andy Najar to their backline only makes them a more capable defensive unit. The strong, it seems, get stronger.

Former Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year Andy Najar is back in the league after departing for Anderlecht in 2013. Los Angeles FC acquired the Honduran international on a free transfer as they bolster their roster ahead of the MLS is Back tournament and the eventual conclusion of the 2020 MLS season.

Najar is coming back from a knee injury that he suffered while playing with Anderlecht and has spent time training with LAFC for most of this year during his come back from the injury. It has been a year since Najar last made an appearance in a competitive fixture, though he is not fit and available for selection.

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Najar’s arrival comes at a timely occasion as LAFC will enter the MLS is Back Tournament as one of the favorites. And he should be able to see playing time with the club during the competition. This will help give him plenty of minutes to help regain his fitness as he continues his recovery process.

Right-back is Najar’s main position which helps give LAFC more depth defensively. The backline is arguably the one area of the pitch the club has struggled with the most. His veteran presence will give Bob Bradley another option at a position that looked problematic early in the season.

Tristan Blackmon has been the go-to player at right-back for LAFC but he may shift into the center-back position if needed. The loss of Walker Zimmerman hurt LAFC at center-back and it was expected that Blackmon would replace the American alongside Eddie Segura. However, so far in MLS and the CONCACAF Champions League, Blackmon has remained at right-back.

He struggled in the two outings against Club Leon, lacking the natural athleticism to bound up and down the pitch and struggling to provide much offensive output when pushed into more advanced areas. He certainly looks a better fit at centre-back, not full-back. Najar’s arrival, therefore, would allow Bradley to assemble a more cohesive and natural backline.

The big question is his recent injury history that has kept him sidelined. If he can stay healthy, he should be a regular part of the lineup. With 164 appearances coming with Anderlecht, he gained a high level of experience playing with one of Belgium’s top clubs. Of those 164 appearances, 27 were in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. He was part of two Belgian championship teams in the 2013/14 and 2016/17 seasons. Dropping down to the MLS level should see Najar immediately establish himself as one of the best full-backs in the league.

And Najar himself is extremely keen to get underway. Speaking to the club’s official Twitter account, he said:

"“The dream came true, I went there, I played for seven years and now I’m back to MLS. I’m really excited. I’m very happy to be here and I hope I can give my best to this great club.”"

Overall, this is a great signing for LAFC. They bring a veteran player to their side who was very successful during his years in MLS at a crucial position of need. The strong, it seems, just get stronger.