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.
GYASI ZARDES
GP: 23 (19 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 19 (17 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 6 (in MLS regular season)
A: 7 (five in MLS regular season, two in Open Cup)
HIGHLIGHTS:
Gyasi Zardes was once again the LA Galaxy’s workhorse in 2016.
Zardes made 23 appearances for the Galaxy in 2016 across all competitions, ending the year with six goals and seven assists. The total was his lowest of his four-year professional career due to a broken metatarsal injury suffered in late August that sidelined him for the final months of the season.
The 25-year-old’s finest match took place on March 19 when he notched a brace in the Galaxy’s 3-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes. Zardes’ presence was also felt in a major way in the Galaxy’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal when he tallied a pair of assists to help Los Angeles advance to the semifinal round.
Zardes was once again productive for the U.S. National Team, appearing in every match—and nearly every minute— for the USMNT during the 2016 Copa America Centenario. The Galaxy striker ended the year with 12 caps for the U.S. to pair with three goals and three assists.
LOWLIGHTS:
Gyasi Zardes had another stellar year, but was cut down by injury toward the end of the season.
Zardes suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot in the Galaxy’s scoreless draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The injury was a cruel one for Zardes, who entered the game as a substitute, only to suffer the injury and be sidelined for the remainder of the 2016 campaign.
The industrious forward attempted to battle his way back from injury in the final weeks of the season, but was ultimately unable to get back to full fitness in time to make an appearance during the Galaxy’s playoff run.
OVERVIEW:
Gyasi Zardes remains one of the key cogs in the LA Galaxy’s machine heading into the 2017 MLS regular season.
Zardes will continue to be a major asset in the offense with his hardworking style a perfect complement for the flair of Giovani dos Santos. With both players fully healthy, the Galaxy boast two of the most dangerous attacking weapons in the league and will have the capacity to once again compete for an MLS Cup.
On an international level, Zardes will continue to be a regular under new head coach Bruce Arena. The former Galaxy boss revealed on Friday that Zardes will be on the annual January Camp after returning from injury.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
