CARSON, Calif. – Gyasi Zardes may not be ready for first time minutes, but the LA Galaxy Homegrown forward has already drawn rave reviews from his teammates.
Zardes made his MLS debut in Saturday’s match with a 37 minute shift against RSL and with Jack McBean and possibly Robbie Keane on the shelf; he’ll likely be in contention for minutes in Sunday’s clash against the Houston Dynamo. Earlier this week, LA attacker Mike Magee, who is currently tied for the MLS lead in goals scored with six, tabbed Zardes for big things.
“Gyasi was skinning some guys today. You definitely don’t want to find yourself one-on-one with him with the ball,” Magee told reporters on Friday. “We all enjoy watching him play and enjoy when he comes on the field because he takes a lot of pressure and he’s kind of a dynamic that we haven’t had with so much speed and skill. Speed skills."
Several times during the preseason, Zardes was stationed out wide and up top which leads to the question: could Zardes become the next versatile attacker in the Mike Magee mold?
“Me and Gyasi will never be confused for the same player,” Magee quipped before adding that he wouldn't try his luck racing Zardes. “I wish that I had that speed and his dribbling ability, but nah, I don’t think that we’ll be confused for each other.”
But with the likes of Zardes, McBean, Charlie Rugg, and Jose Villarreal all under the age of 23, Magee believes that the Galaxy forward corps are well set for the future.
“We’re doing all right,” said a beaming Magee. “ We've got good veterans; good young guys and we’re in a good way right now.”
