CARSON, Calif. – Baggio Husidic doesn’t have nearly the same notoriety as some of his high-profile LA Galaxy teammates, but don’t underestimate the value of the 29-year-old midfielder to the five-time MLS Cup champions.
Husidic has exactly two goals and two assists in 29 appearances, including 16 starts, this season and is regarded as one of those players who quietly and effectively goes about his business.
And if he doesn’t get noticed more often, so be it.
“Under-appreciated?” he said in response to a reporter’s question after training Wednesday as the Galaxy prepared for the second leg of their Western Conference semifinal clash with the Colorado Rapids on Sunday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo. (11 a.m., ESPN).
“I don’t want my name to get brought up,” he went on with a laugh. “That’s fine with me.”
There is nothing to laugh about concerning the recent performances of the native of Velika Kladusa, Bosnia-Herzegovina who first joined the club on a free transfer from Swedish side Hammarby IF on Nov. 14, 2013.
Husidic has 14 goals and 17 assists in 137 career regular-season appearances in his Galaxy career and has been not only a model of consistency but versatility. Who can forget, for example, his impromptu stint at left back against Orlando City last season?
Just don’t ask him to play goalkeeper.
“Those guys are crazy,” he joked.
It might be no coincidence that the Galaxy have played some of their best defense lately – three of the last four games, including last Sunday’s 1-0 playoff victory over Colorado, have been clean sheets -- with Husidic in the lineup.
All he asks is to not make a big deal of his solid, if unspectacular, play.
“I’m just happy playing and doing my part and being the guy that doesn’t get mentioned and doing the work that needs to be done,” he said. “That’s fine for me because I know my teammates appreciate it, and that’s all that matters.
“As long as my teammates think I’m a good player and a good guy, a guy that helps the team, for me that’s good.”
No problem, as far as center back Jelle Van Damme was concerned.
“He’s not overlooked. I don’t think so,” he said. “Definitely not on the team. Those kinds of players do the dirty work. He’s a good player, a good addition to the team and an even greater person.”
Landon Donovan used one word to describe Husidic’s play.
“He’s been terrific,” he said. “His fitness has been underrated, his passing ability is underrated and he’s a smart player. I think what’s happening with our team now is when we come off the field aside from Ema (Boateng) two games ago or Jelle last game when he made a special play you look across the field and say, ‘Well, nobody was spectacular but everyone was great and nobody had a bad day.’ When you do that you win games and you win championships.
“Baggio has done that. He’s been great in every game he’s played. He doesn’t show up on the stat sheet and he’s not flashy, but right now he’s been as good as anybody.”
