CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2015 season was full of incredible highs and devastating lows that culminated in an untimely exit early in the postseason.
As we look back on 2015, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a review on each position. The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders and forwards.
GOALKEEPERS:
JAIME PENEDO
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 16 (all in MLS regular season)
- GS: 16 (all in MLS regular season)
RECORD: 6-4-6; SV: 50; GAA: 1.19; SO: 5
BRIAN ROWE
APPPEARANCES IN ALL COMPETITIONS:
- GP: 14 (Seven in MLS regular season, four in CONCACAF Champions League, three in U.S. Open Cup)
- GS: 14 (Seven in MLS regular season, four in CONCACAF Champions League, three in U.S. Open Cup)
RECORD: 7-4-3; SV: 38; GAA: 1.00; SO: 4
DONOVAN RICKETTS
- GP: 12 (11 in MLS regular season and one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
- GS: 12 (11 in MLS regular season and one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
RECORD: 5-5-2; SV: 39; GAA: 1.75; SO: 1
NO APPEARANCES FOR BRIAN PERK AND ANDREW WOLVERTON
HIGHLIGHTS:
Whereas the 2014 season was loaded with great moments for the LA Galaxy’s goalkeeping contingent, 2015 saw the group struggle with consistency.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena rotated three different starting goalkeepers during a rough 2015 campaign. Brian Rowe and Jaime Penedo each saw time in net to begin the season before Penedo opted to leave the club, when Donovan Ricketts arrived to take the gig full-time.
After missing the start of the season due to visa issues, Penedo quickly reclaimed his starting job by displaying the same skill that helped the Galaxy win a record fifth MLS Cup the year prior. The Panamanian goalkeeper put forth the Galaxy’s finest goalkeeping performance on April 12 when he made 10 saves in Los Angeles’ 1-0 win over Seattle Sounders FC. Throughout the match, Penedo made big save after big save, eventually earning the league’s Player of the Week award.
The shot-stopper did not stay for the entire season and departed the club in late July to pursue other opportunities. The Galaxy immediately replaced the ‘keeper when Donovan Ricketts was traded from Orlando City SC.
A familiar face after his three-year tenure with the club from 2009-2011, Ricketts instantly took his place in goal and started the club’s final 12 games in MLS competition. Although Ricketts’ season will ultimately be defined by his errors in the Galaxy’s postseason exit, the Jamaican goalkeeper still showcased an ability to make the necessary acrobatic saves.
Backup Brian Rowe continued to make strides forward in 2015 as he appeared in a career-high 14 games across all competitions. The 26-year-old accrued a team-high seven victories in all competitions during his stints as a starter. During the 2015 campaign, Rowe displayed an ever-maturing ability to make big stops while also aptly leading the back four.
Throughout all of his appearances, Rowe continued to display steady improvement as she showed the Galaxy coaching staff that he has the tools to become a regular starter in the future.
LOWLIGHTS:
No position drew more scrutiny in 2015 for the LA Galaxy than goalkeeper, but in the end, the year will be defined by two distinct moments.
The first came in July when starting goalkeeper Jaime Penedo opted to leave the club following his participation with Panama at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup. In an announcement that took place just before the 2015 MLS All-Star Game, Penedo revealed that he was moving on to pursue other opportunities for the betterment of his family.
The parting between the two sides was amicable, but it forced the Galaxy to acquire a new No. 1 goalkeeper, which they did with the addition of Donovan Ricketts from Orlando City SC. Ricketts started the rest of the Galaxy’s MLS contests, while Penedo was ultimately unable to latch on with another club. Months after his departure, Penedo expressed “regret” at the way that the manner in which he departed Los Angeles.
Ricketts performed ably in his 14 appearances with the club, but the veteran Jamaican goalkeeper was unable to conjure up the magic that he displayed during his first tenure with the Galaxy. This was most apparent during the Galaxy’s Knockout Round exit to Seattle Sounders FC in late October when two defensive blunders proved to be the team’s downfall.
In the opening 25 minutes of the match, miscommunications between Ricketts and the Galaxy back line resulted in a pair of goals for the Sounders that helped Seattle eventually eliminate the Galaxy from the playoffs. After the match, Arena was blunt with his analysis of the team’s overall defending stating that the Galaxy “gifted” Seattle a playoff victory.
While Penedo and Ricketts will be judged on those two critical moments, Brian Rowe continued to show that he is emerging as a potential No. 1, but still has a few kinks left to work out before he can lock down that position. Though he is a technically solid goalkeeper, Rowe’s potential jump to a starting role will ultimately depend on his ability to make the timely saves in the same manner that his processors have done.
Goalkeepers Brian Perk and Andrew Wolverton did not make a single first-team appearance due to injury. The 2015 campaign is the second consecutive season that Perk has dealt with long-term injuries that could force him from the Galaxy’s roster next season.
OVERVIEW:
Not since the end of the 2008 season has the LA Galaxy’s goalkeeping position been so uncertain.
Galaxy boss Bruce Arena has not publically stated that the club will dismiss Donovan Ricketts, but with the 38-year-old goalkeeper out of contract, all signs point to the Jamaican’s exit. With Ricketts expected to move on, Arena must find himself a new starting goalkeeper. Just who that will be is the subject of heated debates as various media reports have stated that the Galaxy could bring back Penedo or look elsewhere on the transfer market.
However, Arena might not need to bring in another starter, as Rowe is a potential option for the future. Whether or not Rowe gets that opportunity remains to be seen, but at 26 years old, the next stage in Rowe’s development is proving that he can lead a team over the course of a season.
One thing is for certain, there will be new goalkeepers for the Galaxy when the team starts up again in 2016.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
