CARSON, Calif. – All it took was four words for the LA Galaxy’s Tommy Meyer to realize something was wrong.
The third-year pro out of the Indiana University was in his seat on the sideline last Sunday at StubHub Center and watching the LA Galaxy playing Real Salt Lake in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals when center back Leonardo went down with an apparent right hamstring injury in the 37th minute.
That’s when Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena called to him.
“Get up, get going,” Meyer said with a grin in recalling the moment.
He barely had time do some stretching and light running when he was inserted into the game in place of Leonardo and went the rest of the way in an eventual 5-0 victory.
“He played very well,” Arena said of Meyer. “A very impressive performance from a guy that hasn’t played that much over the last couple of months.”
Meyer, a former first-round selection (19th overall) in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, said he couldn’t have picked a better scenario.
“It was a great game to come into,” he said. “We were up 2-0, so it always helps when you have the lead. Everyone else on the field made it easy for me.”
The status of Leonardo is uncertain for the Western Conference Championship, which begins with the first leg on Nov. 23 against the Seattle Sounders at StubHub Center (2 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Deportes), but Meyer said he will be ready if called upon again.
The 24-year-old actually is no stranger to such a big stage – remember how he filled in so commendably for an ailing A.J. DeLaGarza in the 2012 MLS Cup final against Houston? – but he spent much of the regular season with the Galaxy’s USL Pro side, Galaxy II, and made his last appearance with the first team in a 1-1 tie with San Jose on Sept. 14.
He did make five consecutive starts, from a 1-0 win at San Jose on June 28 – for which he was named to mlssoccer.com’s team of the week – to a 2-1 loss at Sporting Kansas City on July 19.
His Galaxy teammates certainly know what they’re getting from the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder. His partner in central defense, Omar Gonzalez, was particularly impressed with Meyer’s ability to perform well on basically a moment’s notice.
“I think he did really well to step in like that,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t know if he was that warm … just a bang-bang play and Leo has to come out really quickly. He steps in and does a great job.
“It’s not surprising. He’s been in these kinds of situations before in playoff games, championship games, and he knows what it’s like. I’ve been watching him at practice for the last few weeks and he’s focused.
“It was no surprise that he stepped in and did a great job. It’s great that Bruce gave him the chance to come in and he played great.”
It was an opportunity Meyer understandably appreciated.
“It’s always tough,” he said when asked how he handles waiting for playing time. “You always want to be playing. But it’s easier to prepare yourself knowing what to expect going in. It’s much easier going in and feeling comfortable.
“It’s great getting on the field, especially in a playoff game. It was great getting an opportunity to move forward and show Bruce I can still contribute.”
