For the past two weeks, MLSsoccer.com has previewed each of the 19 teams in Major League Soccer, beginning with the clubs that brought up the bottom of the table in 2011 and ending with the league's newest addition, the Montreal Impact.This is part two of two previewing LA's 2012 season. You can find Part 1 here.
Goalkeepers
Depth Chart: 1. Josh Saunders, 2. Bill Gaudette, 3. Brian Perk
Strengths: In Saunders and Gaudette, the Galaxy have players who have demonstrated success in MLS and CONCACAF Champions League play.
Weaknesses: Inexperience. Saunders has never entered the season as a No. 1, Gaudette has been out of MLS since 2007 and Perk is just 22 years old and still developing.
Wildcard: Gaudette isn't in Toronto for the Galaxy's CCL opener, meaning Perk is the No. 2 for that game. Still, expect Gaudette to play a regular-season match here and there in order to spell Saunders.
READ: 2012 LA Galaxy Preview
Defense
Depth Chart: RB 1. Sean Franklin, 2. Bryan Jordan; CB 1. A.J. DeLaGarza -- Tommy Meyer, 2. Leonardo, 3. Andrew Boyens, 4. Bryan Gaul; LB 1. Todd Dunivant, 2. Gaul
Strengths: The defensive line’s focus and mentality led to great things in 2011 and will carry the club once more this season.
Weaknesses:Omar Gonzalez’s long-term knee injury means rookie Meyer will likely get the call to start the season. How the Indiana product handles primetime could determine the Galaxy’s fate, at least in Champions League.
Wildcard: Leonardo is being primed for an April return and could pair with DeLaGarza once he is fit. The Brazilian was a rising star when he tore knee ligaments after playing the first seven games of 2011.
SEE: LA Galaxy Preseason Results
Midfield
Depth Chart: LM 1. Mike Magee, 2. Kyle Nakazawa; CM 1. David Beckham -- Juninho, 2. Marcelo Sarvas, 3. Michael Stephens, 4. Paolo Cardozo, 5. Dan Keat; RM 1. Landon Donovan, 2. Hector Jimenez
Strengths: Central midfield is strong with Beckham, Juninho, Sarvas and Stephens all contending for playing time.
Weaknesses: Depth on the flanks will be tested. Bruce Arena likes to play Franklin at right midfield, but with defensive depth issues, it’s not likely to happen much.
Wildcard: Right midfielder Jimenez has seen vast improvement and is the type of player who could be hard to take off the field once he breaks through.
READ: LA Galaxy 2011 season statistics
Forwards
Depth Chart: 1. Robbie Keane, 2. Edson Buddle, 3. Chad Barrett, 4. Pat Noonan, 5. Adam Cristman, 6. Jack McBean
Strengths: Keane-Buddle could be the league’s most potent strike force. If both players play to their capabilities and stay healthy, they could help the Galaxy score a load of goals in 2012.
Weaknesses: Keane’s Euro 2012 duty and the Galaxy’s loaded calendar will mean whoever gets the minutes vacated by absences will have to perform.
Wildcard: McBean is only 17 but added muscle in the offseason; he may not get many minutes early, but has vast upside and could push for time by the end of the season.
