The LA Galaxy season may be over, but LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will spend the next few weeks offering an evaluation of each member of the squad. VIEW CALENDAR
The LA Galaxy Player Ratings will begin with players who appeared in the least number of games this season starting with goalkeeper Brian Rowe and concluding with Sean Franklin who played in all 34 of the club’s regular season games. There will also be an evaluation of head coach and general manager Bruce Arena and his moves at the conclusion of the list.
We will have two to three evaluations per day and focus on what each player did well, what they need to improve on ahead of next season as well as a select thought from the player on their performance and a rating from myself out of four stars.
BRIAN PERK
AGE: 23
POSITION: Goalkeeper
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS: GP: 7 [3 in CONCACAF Champions League], MIN: 630, GAA: 1.75, GA: 7, RECORD: 2-3-2, SO: 2
RESERVE LEAGUE APPEARANCES: GP: 5, MIN: 360, GAA: 0.75, GA: 3, RECORD: 1-1-1, SO: 1
HIGHLIGHTS: Perk was instrumental during the club’s CONCACAF Champions League campaign, notching two shutouts while going 2-0-1 in three matches. The 23-year-old repeatedly stood on his head during the tournament, making an impressive 11 saves in three games—seven of which came in LA’s scoreless draw in Puerto Rico. During his run of form in CCL competition, Perk also helped LA win the Reserve League’s Western Division title. The young ‘keeper also impressed during 45 minute stints in LA’s International friendlies against Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur including a pair of highlight reel saves against Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benezema.
LOWLIGHTS: Surgery to repair a sports hernia caused Perk to miss a month and a half of action from March 26 to May 12. When he returned, he quickly became the club’s starting goalkeeper due to the absence of Josh Saunders, but he was unable to lock down the starting spot going 0-3-1 and conceding seven goals in his four regular season starts.
HIS THOUGHTS: “Early on, [I was] pretty low, but then later in the season I did a little better. I’m a little disappointed in my performance and how I did when I got in, but I was pretty fresh off surgeries and I’m just using that as an excuse. But I’m planning on having a good offseason and bringing my ‘A game’ next season… I really need to focus this offseason on physical shape. I think I can gain a couple of things in the gym and really apply that next year. There's a few things I need to work on and the gym is going to help with that. [I need to work on] aerial balls and coming out for crosses, so if I can jump a little bit higher then it will be a little bit easier."
RATING: TWO STARS
Perk’s early season struggles were a low point for the 23-year-old goalkeeper, but he was able to rebound to lead LA to the CCL quarterfinals. At the end of the season, Perk’s contract option was not picked up, but after opting out of the Re-Entry Draft, the Galaxy are reportedly close to a contract deal with the ‘keeper. With the status of starting goalkeeper Josh Saunders still in question, Perk may have an opportunity to fight for a starting position with the club. If the young ‘keeper can translate his strong performances in the CCL to MLS play, then the Galaxy may just have their goalkeeper for the future.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
