The LA Galaxy season may be over, but LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will spend the next few weeks offering an evaluation of each member of the squad. VIEW CALENDAR
The LA Galaxy Player Ratings will begin with players who appeared in the least number of games this season starting with goalkeeper Brian Rowe and concluding with Sean Franklin who played in all 34 of the club’s regular season games. There will also be an evaluation of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena and his moves at the conclusion of the list.
We will have two to three evaluations per day and focus on what each player did well, what they need to improve on ahead of next season as well as a select thought from the player on their performance and a rating from myself out of four stars.
JACK MCBEAN
AGE: 18
POSITION: Forward
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS: GP: 3 (2 in CONCACAF Champions League, 1 in MLS), MIN: 172, G: 3 [in CCL; leading scorer], A: 0
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: GP: 8, MIN: 278, G: 5 [leading scorer], A: 1
HIGHLIGHTS: McBean scores twice in CCL win
HIGHLIGHTS: Jack McBean may have only made a single appearance in MLS play, but when given minutes in other tournaments, the teenager was clinical. McBean finished as the club’s leading goal scorer in the CONCACAF Champions League with three goals and in the Reserve League with five. With more minutes against experienced competition, McBean was able to add a physical aspect to his game, making him far more effective during tussles in the penalty box. Arena clearly saw McBean’s development as the season wore on as he was placed on the game-day roster for two of LA’s six MLS Cup Playoff matches (Nov. 1 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Nov. 11 vs. Seattle Sounders FC).
LOWLIGHTS: Perhaps the only low point for McBean was that he made only a one appearance during the MLS regular season and was only on the 18-man gameday roster for six matches. However, with considerable turnaround expected in the Galaxy locker room in the offseason, expect that number to grow exponentially next year.
HIS THOUGHTS: “I think that I did well this season. I definitely grew a lot and I’m kind of starting to realize how everything works with being a professional soccer player. You’ve got to come in everyday and train as hard as you can, in order to get into the mix. I felt like I put myself in the mix by being rostered for a couple of playoff games and nearly breaking through for MLS Cup. It’s my job to score goals and whenever I score goals, I’m happy that I can do that.”
RATING: THREE STARS:
McBean’s body of work may have been small, but when the teenager was put on the field, he excelled. By leading the CCL and Reserve sides in goals, McBean showed flashes of a player that is expected to have a bright future with the Galaxy. The only thing preventing McBean from finishing with a higher mark is his lack of appearances in MLS competition, But if McBean can come in fit when preseason begins in January, there’s no reason that won’t change in 2013. With McBean maturing both on and off the field, expect the youngster to see considerable minutes for the Galaxy in the years ahead.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
