CARSON, Calif. – Tuesday’s rain-soaked 1-1 draw with Club Tijuana provided a small milestone for a new-look LA Galaxy side.
The exhibition match saw Curt Onalfo make his official debut as head coach of the five-time MLS Cup champions. Onalfo, originally an eighth-round selection by the Galaxy in the inaugural MLS Draft in 1996, took over in mid-December for Bruce Arena, who left to become head coach of the U.S. national team.
Onalfo downplayed the result and said he looked at it as little more than a much-needed workout against a quality opponent in a preseason that is barely two weeks old.
“Honestly, not a whole lot,” the 47-year-old Onalfo said when asked if he felt any emotions standing on the sideline. “The way I look at it is it’s just another training exercise getting us ready for the season. It’s all part of the plan we have getting the group ready for (the regular-season opener) March 4 against Dallas.
“I was just excited to see how we responded. I think we’ve had some very good training sessions and I wanted to see some of that come through. That part I was pleased with. Now it’s just back to work and keep plugging away.”
Midfielder Baggio Husidic, entering his fourth season with the team, said he’s quickly gotten used to seeing Onalfo running practices and being in charge instead of Arena, who had been with the team since August, 2008.
“In this business,” Husidic said with a grin, “you learn how to adapt real quick.
“That’s just part of it.”
Husidic said Onalfo quickly has left an impression on the club.
“He’s a pretty intense guy when he needs to be,” he said. “He wants structure and organization and lets the players express themselves.
“He’s a progressive guy.”
Forward Ariel Lassiter, who played for Onalfo for LA Galaxy II and is trying to earn minutes with the first team, said Onalfo has brought a spark to the parent club.
“He brings a lot of life, a lot of energy,” he said. “He wants us to be ourselves and create. He wants us go forward and not be afraid to make mistakes in the final third.
“He’s all about winning and knows it’s going to take a lot of hard work. That’s what he’s about and that’s what we’re trying to do on the pitch.”
