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.
ANDREW BOYENS
AGE: 29
POSITION: Center back
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS: GP: 6 [4 in CONCACAF Champions League] MIN: 283, G: 0, A: 0
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: GP: 7, MIN: 585, G: 2, A: 0
HIGHLIGHTS: The highlights for the veteran center back came during the CONCACAF Champions League as he was instrumental in the Galaxy’s ability to qualify for the upcoming CCL quarterfinals in March. During LA’s 2012/2013 campaign, Boyens was partnered three times with Galaxy rookie center back Tommy Meyer as the pair created a formidable tandem, going 2-0-1 while conceding just two goals and keeping a pair of clean sheets. During Meyer’s rise to the starting XI after starter A.J. DeLaGarza went down with a knee injury, the rookie lauded Boyens for being instrumental in his maturation process from rookie to polished defender.
LOWLIGHTS: While Boyens’ moment came months later, the lowest point of the season came during LA’s CCL defeat to Toronto FC in the first leg of their 2011/12 quarterfinal. Boyens earned the coveted starting role alongside A.J. DeLaGarza, but was caught out of position in the 17th minute as rookie Luis Silva doubled TFC’s lead before LA ultimately battled back to earn a 2-2 draw. After being resigned to a reserve role in April, Boyens was placed on the disabled list on May 18 with a sports hernia. The ensuing surgery caused him to miss two months of action.
HIS THOUGHTS: “This season was tough, I was out for three months with an injury and I never really recovered from that. I probably had a poor start to the season if I’m honest. It wasn’t my best, but let’s hope that there is more to come.”
RATING: ONE AND A HALF STARS.
Boyens readily admits that he would have liked more from his 2012 season with the Galaxy, but his role in advising Meyer was crucial to LA’s postseason success. In an interview with the LA Galaxy Insider after the season, Boyens stated that he wanted to continue playing and hoped to have conversations with Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
