CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy are one of the hottest teams in MLS, thanks mainly to an offense that has scored a league-high 17 goals, including nine in the last two matches, and a goal differential of plus 10. That’s also No. 1 in the league.
The defense has been nothing to sneeze at either, especially the play of veteran left back Ashley Cole. The English international will turn 36 in December, but you’d never know he had such mileage on his legs before he decided in late January to ply his trade stateside.
“I think he’s got a lot of good years left,” goalkeeper Brian Rowe said. “I watched him a long time growing up, and to have him here is really helping us out.”
“Ashley Cole’s pretty good,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena deadpanned Tuesday after training. “Not surprising that at one time he was considered the best left back in the world.
“He’s still pretty good, if you ask me.”
Cole had won four Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and a UEFA Champions League title while playing for Arsenal and Chelsea in England. He also played in three World Cups with the English national team (2002, 2006 and 2010) and spent two seasons with AS Roma in Serie A before deciding to recharge his fading career with the Galaxy. It turned out to be an ideal match.
Arena had been looking for help to solidify a back line that struggled toward the tail end of last season and, with veteran left back Todd Dunivant retiring, considered Cole a perfect candidate to shore up that position.
Cole has played in six games, all starts – he missed one game to celebrate the birth of his son – and he admitted it had been a work in progress before his recent superb play.
“Of course it’s always difficult, coming to a new country, a new team,” he said. “But I’ve fit in well, I think, and I’m enjoying the football. The lads have helped me fit in, so I’m happy with how it’s gone so far.”
Cole also said his fitness wasn’t what he hoped it would be when he joined the Galaxy. That may have been a product of inactivity with AS Roma, for whom he made just 16 appearances since joining the Italian side in the summer of 2014.
“I’ve got a lot of experience,” he said, “but when you don’t play for a long time you kind of get a little bit rusty. At the start I wasn’t as fit as I wish I was, and it’s still coming now.
“Hopefully by mid-season I’ll be full speed.”
Cole gave credit to his teammates on the back line, particularly center backs Jelle Van Damme and Daniel Steres, for his performances to date, and Arena praised him for his effectiveness on both ends of the field.
And to those critics who said Cole was well past his prime when he joined the five-time MLS Cup champions, Arena scoffed at their ignorance.
“I had a hard time believing he wouldn’t be a good player in this league,” he said. “We’re only seven games in and there’s a lot to be determined yet. He’s been pretty good in the first six games he’s played in this league.”
Cole clearly is savoring his new surroundings.
“When you’re enjoying playing and enjoying the football, I think it tends to bring out the best in your performances,” he said. “I’m enjoying myself to be back playing after a year. It’s gone well.”
