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.
KENNEY WALKER
AGE: 24
POSITION: Midfielder
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS: GP: 4 [3 in CONCACAF Champions League], MIN: 304, G: 0, A: 0
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: GP: 10, MIN: 832, G: 0, A: 2
HIGHLIGHTS: The rookie midfielder earned just a single appearance during the MLS regular season, but the former Louisville star was vital in LA’s ability to qualify for the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League for a second year in a row. In his three starts during the tournament, Walker forged a midfielder partnership with fellow youngsters Rafael Garcia and Michael Stephens that helped LA boss the midfield against Puerto Rico and Metapan. Additionally, the 24-year-old showed his ability on set pieces in those games, taking most of his team’s corner kicks, including the one that Tommy Meyer headed home for a goal early in the home game against the Islanders. Walker also played a significant role in the Galaxy winning the Western Division title of the MLS Reserve League, starting all ten games, leading the team minutes while also adding two assists.
LOWLIGHTS: Walker’s low moment came during his single MLS start in LA’s 2-1 defeat to the Houston Dynamo on May 26. Under the extreme heat and humidity, the Galaxy and Walker struggled in the first half of the match, leading head coach Bruce Arena to remove Walker in favor of Michael Stephens at the start of the second half.
HIS THOUGHTS: “Coming in the first year and winning the whole thing was a blast, but I think that I took more away from the season just going through it and having guys like David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane in front of me as leaders and mentors. They taught me how to carry myself as a professional athlete and hopefully, I’ll carry their advice into next year and we can win the title again.”
RATING: TWO AND A HALF STARS. Walker’s impact may not have been seen at an MLS level, but the rookie proved that he was up to the task in CCL and Reserve League competition. With David Beckham departing the club and Juninho’s status still in question, Walker is one of the more intriguing prospects for 2013 as his ability to control the midfield and provide service could see him become a regular contributor next season.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
