CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s playoff loss to the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday officially marked the end of their run as MLS Cup champion.
It also signaled the end of an era for one of the club’s most popular players.
Defender Todd Dunivant, who recently announced his retirement after a 13-year career, said he has no regrets about his decision. He said he will ponder his future more closely in the next few months and was hopeful he will remain in the game in some capacity. He has had talks with Galaxy president Chris Klein about a potential role with the club but nothing is definite at this point.
The Galaxy’s disappointing defeat also provided him the opportunity to do some reminiscing on a career that featured 269 starts in 282 MLS games, two caps with the U.S. national team and five championship rings, including four with the Galaxy.
The 34-year-old, asked to name the best coach he’s played for, didn’t take long to answer.
“Bruce (Arena) has been an instrumental part of my career,” he said of the Galaxy’s current head coach. “I got my two caps on the national team under Bruce. I played for him in New York and here in L.A., and he’s a coach that has brought a lot out in me. He pushed me out of a comfort zone and tested my limits.
“What we did in 2011 and the season I had, getting the Best XI, a lot of that didn’t just happen in 2011. It was a buildup in 2009 and 2010 and a lot of that is the drive in Bruce, too. His guard is never down and he doesn’t want yours to be down. Once you can get to that level of concentration, sort of that daily grind, and knowing what’s expected of you, you’re a better professional because of it.
“I’m a better professional because of Bruce.”
Dunivant played with five MLS MVPs – Landon Donovan, Mike Magee, Robbie Keane, Dwayne De Rosario and Amado Guevara – but went international when it came to identifying the best player he’s seen.
“For me the most impressive player I ever saw on the field was Zinedine Zidane in 2005,” he said of the French international. “He was my idol growing up, then to see him with Real Madrid (for a friendly at StubHub Center). The guys coming off the field were marveling at how good he was. I think he was at the height of his powers at that point.
“That was a true honor to be on the field. He was one of those that not only lived up to your expectations but exceeded them.”
Naming the fastest player was easy, too.
“Ugo Ihemelu,” he said of the defender who played on the Galaxy in 2005 and 2006. “He was freakishly fast and didn’t look it. Marvel Wynne is fast, but that’s a different fast. Marvel runs so hard, but Ugo just glided.
“I saw him chase down Landon easily and do crazy things. Ugo was the quietist fast guy, I think.”
Dunivant, asked to choose the best team he’s been a part of, gave that honor to the 2011 Galaxy, who won the Supporters’ Shield (signifying the league’s best record) and earned the franchise’s third MLS Cup.
“Any championship team is special and has special qualities,” he said. “But 2011 from start to finish was really the perfect year.”
Now it’s on to the great, post-MLS unknown. But Dunivant said he can’t wait for what lies ahead.
“When your season’s over, there’s sort of an empty feeling,” he said. “It’s such a disappointment; you wonder where you could have done things a little bit different. This team will be back strong, I have no doubt about that.
“For me personally, moving on is something I’ve been ready to do and I’m looking forward to it.”
