CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2016 was a tumultuous one filled with brilliant goals and frustrating moments for Bruce Arena’s men, ultimately ending in a penalty kick shootout defeat in the Western Conference Semifinals.
As we look back on 2016, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a review of each position. The LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review will begin with goalkeepers and then move up the field to defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Several select players will also have their own review, based on the number of appearances made.
DEFENDERS
DANIEL STERES
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
Games Played: 37 (31 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup, one CONCACAF Champions League)
Games Started: 33 (29 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, one in U.S. Open Cup)
GOALS: 1
ASSISTS: 1
JELLE VAN DAMME
GP: 34 (28 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 34 (28 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup)
G: 0
A: 5
ASHLEY COLE
GP: 32 (26 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 31 (25 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
G: 1
A: 1
AJ DELAGARZA
GP: 28 (24 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 27 (23 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 0
A: 0
ROBBIE ROGERS
GP: 26 (21 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 24 (19 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 1
A: 2
DAVE ROMNEY
GP: 15 (10 in the MLS regular season, four U.S. Open Cup, one in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 12 (seven in MLS regular season, four in U.S. Open Cup, one in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 1
A: 1
LEONARDO
GP: 6 (three in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup,
GS: 6 (three in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup)
G: 0
A: 0
OSCAR SORTO
GP: 1 (one in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 1 (one U.S. Open Cup)
G: 0
A: 1
HIGHLIGHTS:
Perhaps more so than any other position, the LA Galaxy defense was the reason behind the club’s success during the 2016 season.
Retooled extensively during the offseason, (now former) Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena acquired Ashley Cole, Jelle Van Damme, and Daniel Steres to bolster a defense that lost stalwart Omar Gonzalez to Mexican side Pachuca. The three signings ended the season as major contributors with all three leading defenders in appearances across all competitions.
The addition of Van Damme was a revelation for the Galaxy as he provided necessary bite and stability for a defense that conceded just 39 goals in the regular season, which was tied for the second-best in MLS. For his efforts, Van Damme was voted LA Galaxy Defender of the Year by the club’s media and was also nominated for the league’s Defender and Newcomer honors.
Van Damme’s inclusion was not the only bright spot, however, as Ashley Cole revitalized his career with a strong season at left back while Daniel Steres proved to be an MLS Defender and led the team in minutes played. Bruce Arena’s squad also received strong production from Robbie Rogers, who transitioned seamlessly to right back after the signing of Cole, veteran defender A.J. DeLaGarza, and youngster Dave Romney.
LOWLIGHTS:
The influx of new faces into the LA Galaxy back four meant that several experienced figures saw their playing time limited in 2016.
In particular, A.J. DeLaGarza, who appeared in 28 matches was unable to find consistent playing time. In large part due to the success of Steres and Rogers on the right side of defense, DeLaGarza was often used as a utility option for head coach Bruce Arena rather than as a regular starter. Rogers was not immune to inconsistencies either, as the outside back too often struggled to provide an attacking outlet later in the season.
However, no one was more snake bit than 2015 LA Galaxy Defender of the Year Leonardo, who struggled with injuries throughout the campaign and appeared in just six games. Homegrown defender Oscar Sorto also saw limited action, playing in just a single match for the first team in his third full year with the team.
OVERVIEW:
The LA Galaxy have plenty of areas to address this offseason, but their backline is not one of them.
Although the year ended in disappointment, the Galaxy defense excelled due to the success of offseason additions Jelle Van Damme, Daniel Steres, and Ashley Cole. Despite the loss of head coach Bruce Arena, the defensive core figures to remain intact with club president Chris Klein affirmed that the core of the backline remains important to the Galaxy heading into the 2017 season.
“This offseason we became more aggressive in our decisions with a number of key players departing, allowing us to build our team around Giovani dos Santos, Gyasi Zardes, Sebastian Lletget, Jelle Van Damme and our entire back line, Klein said.”
With the central defense tandem of Van Damme and Steres as well as a healthy mixture of veterans and youngsters returning, the Galaxy’s back line figures to be in good straits heading into the 2017 campaign.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
