CARSON, Calif. – LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget rejoined the team on Monday after a successful few weeks with the U.S. National Team.
Lletget returns to StubHub Center after making a pair of appearances with Bruce Arena’s squad including a start in the USMNT’s 1-0 win over Jamaica last week. The 24-year-old was one of the breakout stars of January Camp with a remarkable 92 percent passing accuracy in both appearances.
After his first training session with the new look Galaxy, Lletget was all smiles about returning to his club following a fruitful stint with the USMNT that placed him in good stead ahead of the national team’s World Cup qualifiers in March.
“I’m so happy to be back. It was a tough three-and-a-half weeks being focused on the national team, and it’s a different environment for me. I thought the national team went well, but it’s always special to be back with the Galaxy,” Lletget said. “I think I only did myself favors. I don’t think I set myself back at all. I think that I can look back on it with positivity and look forward to March. I’ll have to concentrate on the Galaxy until then so hopefully it all comes together.”
During his start against Jamaica, Lletget was stationed along the left side for Arena’s team and was among the team’s top performers due to his industry and creativity on the flank. Lletget’s showing last week is a positive sign for Galaxy boss Curt Onalfo who will likely station the 24-year-old out wide in 2017 after the signings of João Pedro and Jermaine Jones in the offseason.
Although Lletget excelled in the center of the park at the tail end of 2016, he admits that he’s ready to take any role given this season.
“All a player wants to do is play. If I’m on the field, then I’m happy, but I’m probably going to be asked to do something a little different than how I ended last year. We’ll see how it works with the group," Lletget said.
"I’ll most likely have to play out wide, but I’ll do what I have to do. If that’s what I have to do with the Galaxy, then playing that role with the national team before coming here will help me get into that mindset."
Lletget could see action as soon as Tuesday when the Galaxy host Club Tijuana in their first match of the 2017 preseason match.
“I played significant minutes on Friday, and we’re going to talk about it and see how I feel tomorrow," he said. "I’d love to play. If the opportunity is there, I’d love to participate. We’ll see.”
