CARSON, Calif. – Dan Kennedy knew all about the mystique that surrounded the LA Galaxy, but on Friday, he had his first chance to experience it from the inside.
The Galaxy officially began their preseason training on Friday kicking off their preparations for the 2016 MLS regular season and their bid for the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League title. The training was the first opportunity for old faces like Robbie Keane and Giovani dos Santos to mesh with newcomers like Kennedy.
Acquired in the offseason from FC Dallas, Kennedy is no stranger to the Galaxy after spending seven years with Chivas USA, as well as four seasons with U.C. Santa Barbara. Even with that working knowledge of the club, Kennedy is overjoyed to be a member of the team he supported as a kid.
“It’s nice to be back home, for sure, there’s a certain familiarity for me, but from the moment I stepped in here, it’s been a first class operation,” Kennedy told LAGalaxy.com. “I guess I shouldn’t expect anything less looking from the outside in, but being on the inside is really special, and I’m looking to make the most of it.”
The 33-year-old ‘keeper will be looking to revitalize his career with the Galaxy, following a disappointing stint with FC Dallas a year ago. An occasional starter with Dallas, Kennedy endured a series of injuries that saw him limited to just 16 starts for the Western Conference regular season champions.
Heading into the preseason, Kennedy is the likely No. 1 starter, and anxious to make a strong impression with his new club.
“My goal is to help the team as much as I can. For a goalkeeper, you’re always measured individually by how well the team does and how many clean sheets you can get. That’s really the focus,” said Kennedy. “It’s important that we get our right foot forward, and we solve whatever issues that we have early on because those games are going to come quick.
“The first game against Santos is going to be competitive, and we have to be ready.”
