CARSON, Calif. – It has taken some time, but center back Tommy Meyer has begun to show flashes of the confident rookie that helped the LA Galaxy to their MLS Cup triumph last year.
With Omar Gonzalez away on international duty for the past month, Meyer has racked up four starts in all competitions. The results didn't go Meyer’s way as LA went 0-3-1 in four matches while conceding 10 goals, but the second-year defender saved his best performance for last in LA’s scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers on Wednesday.
Alongside A.J. DeLaGarza in central defense, Meyer was tidy as he made 10 clearances as well as a key block in the 61st minute of a Ryan Johnson shot from close range. Following a difficult stretch of appearances, Meyer felt like he was back to his old self on Wednesday.
“Tonight, I felt back to where I was last season as far as physically and reading the game. I felt tonight was the best game that I've played,” said Meyer. “I think we did a good job staying connected and talking throughout the whole game, keeping Rafa [Garcia] right in front of us, and [Juninho] at midfield helping us win balls, I think that helped out alot. We were moving well as a group I thought, for the most part, throughout the game. That gives us the chance to win the ball and get the ball up to our forwards.”
Although the results weren't great, DeLaGarza admitted that the second-year center back is still continuing to grow.
“It’s his first full action for the first part of the year. He’s still learning and we're still learning how to play together,” said DeLaGarza. “We played together a little bit last year and he was with Omar [Gonzalez] late last year. We still have to learn about each other and we've got a long way to go with that.”
