CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy are just one game into their 2015 campaign, but the reigning MLS Cup champions may already have a goalkeeping battle on their hands.
Brian Rowe earned the start between the pipes during the Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire last week after serving as the primary backup to 2014 starter Jaime Penedo a year ago. Prior to the match, it was revealed that Rowe earned the start based on a coach’s decision which head coach Bruce Arena later confirmed was due to the 26-year-old ‘keeper being “a little ahead” of Penedo fitness wise.
A strong defensive performance from LA meant that Rowe was rarely tested against Chicago and only had to make one save in the Galaxy victory. Given his unblemished performance, Rowe may have the inside track to keep his starting position, but the young goalkeeper understands that he can't take anything for granted.
“It’s been a long preseason and a good preseason. It’s something where you put work in and not worry about anyone else, and, in the end, the decision comes down to the coaches,” Rowe said. “I just focused on what I could do this preseason by coming in healthy and being consistent.”
Penedo’s absence shouldn’t come as a surprise given that Rowe started the club’s last two preseason matches as the Panamanian goalkeeper dealt with nagging injuries. According to Penedo, his inability to remain healthy led to a taxing preseason on and off the field, which ultimately resulted on him being left on the bench against Chicago.
“I’ve been suffering from a few injuries and dealing with a few other personal issues,” Penedo told reporters on Monday. “Those other issues have affected my concentration, and with a coach like Bruce Arena, you need to be focused 100 percent all the time. I think that one always has to think about winning your spot in the starting XI. You always have to fight for a position [to start].”
After riding the pine against the Fire, Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena noted that Penedo appeared refocused as the team turned their attention to their trip to Oregon to face the Portland Timbers on Sunday.
“[Jaime] had a few nagging injuries that in the preseason which slowed him down a little bit. He’s on his way back though,” Arena told reporters after training on Monday. “He had a good day.”
But at the moment, the question of who gets the start when the Galaxy take the field on Providence Park still remains unanswered setting up a heated battle in training this week.
Although both goalkeepers will be looking to make the starting job theirs, neither will place too much attention on each other as they go about their preparations.
“I try to approach every day trying to being number one regardless of where you are. You don’t let other things affect you so you just do what you can,” said Rowe. “It’s always an open competition and it’s never secure, so it’s not something that I’m worried or stressed about. I’m trying to take it day in and day out and focus on what I can do and prepare each day.”
Added Penedo, “To be honest, I prepare for myself to try to give the best for the team and I never prepare looking at how many teammates are doing or how they’re preparing. It’s good to have that competition because it makes the team better and everyone else better, but I don’t prepare looking at the other goalkeepers. If the opportunity arises [to start] then of course I want to play, but I have to fight for that in training this week.”
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
