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.
MIDFIELDERS
SEBASTIAN LLETGET
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
Games Played: 40 (31 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, four in U.S. Open Cup, two CONCACAF Champions League)
Games Started: 28 (23 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, two in U.S. Open Cup)
GOALS: 5
ASSISTS: 9
BAGGIO HUSIDIC
GP: 36 (29 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, four in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 32 (26 in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs, three in U.S. Open Cup)
G: 2
A: 4
EMA BOATENG
GP: 34 (26 in MLS regular season, two in MLS Cup Playoffs, four in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 27 (18 in MLS regular season, two in MLS Cup Playoffs, four in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 4
A: 6
JEFF LARENTOWICZ
GP: 29 (23 in MLS regular season, four in U.S. Open Cup, three in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 23 (17 in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup, three in MLS Cup Playoffs)
G: 1
A: 1
STEVEN GERRARD
GP: 24 (21 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 20 (18 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 3
A: 11
RAFAEL GARCIA
GP: 9 (six in the MLS regular season, three U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 5 (two in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup)
G: 0
A: 0
RAUL MENDIOLA
GP: 8 (five in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 8 (five in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup)
G: 1 (in U.S. Open Cup)
A: 1 (in. U.S. Open Cup)
LANDON DONOVAN
GP: 9 (Six in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 5 (two in MLS regular season, three in MLS Cup)
G: 1 (in MLS regular season)
A: 1 (in MLS Cup Playoffs)
HIGHLIGHTS:
The LA Galaxy’s midfield didn’t enjoy the best season but there were more than a few highlights for the squad.
No one shined brighter than Sebastian Lletget who made a team-high 40 appearances across all competitions. Not only was Lletget a useful option in the attack thanks to his physical attributes, but the 24-year-old also blossomed when placed in a central midfield role in mid-summer.
The Galaxy also discovered a new talent in Ema Boateng who provided the club with a speedy option in the attack not seen since club legend Cobi Jones. As the season progressed, the Ghanaian speedster took significant steps forward in his development, culminating with his brilliant showing in the team’s playoff victory over Real Salt Lake.
After several seasons on the periphery of the first team, Raul Mendiola made a major step forward with a goal and an assist in eight appearances across all competitions. In particular, Mendiola’s work rate offered the Galaxy with a new dimension in the attack as the youngster was often able to make plays develop by outhustling his opponents.
The most emotional moment took place at the end of the year when Galaxy legend Landon Donovan ended his retirement to play in the team’s final nine matches. Donovan tallied a goal and an assist in his brief return to the game.
LOWLIGHTS:
The LA Galaxy’s midfield has long been a source of strength for the team, but in 2016, it was anything but.
Throughout the season, the Galaxy’s midfield was in a state of flux as Bruce Arena shuffled numerous players in and out of the lineup. Much of this turnover occurred due to injuries, which left Arena without a set midfield core heading into the postseason.
This lack of midfield cohesiveness seemed to take hold in the Galaxy’s Western Conference Semifinal defeat to the Colorado Rapids. Throughout the match, the Galaxy found the center of the park overrun by a dominant Rapids squad that bossed the midfield and left Los Angeles without a shot until extra time.
However, one endured a more frustrating year than LA Galaxy Designated Player Steven Gerrard. Despite notching 11 assists, Gerrard’s year was peppered with injuries that cut down the English midfielder and limited his effectiveness.
OVERVIEW:
The LA Galaxy’s midfield position could look very different heading into the 2017 regular season.
The Galaxy will be without Steven Gerrard who announced his retirement in November while other members of the squad could be selected in this month’s expansion draft. Baggio Husidic, Jeff Larentowicz, and Rafael Garcia could be made available, while the club will likely need to make a decision on the future of Landon Donovan.
Lletget figures to have a major role heading into 2017 with Galaxy club president stating that the team is expecting to build around several key players including the talented midfielder. After a successful first season, Boateng is also likely to be in the plans of the Galaxy’s new manager.
All of this is speculation, however, as the midfield position is expected to be in flux as the club takes shape under their new head coach in 2017.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
