CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy’s 2015 season was full of incredible highs and devastating lows that culminated in an early postseason exit.
As we look back on 2015, LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano will provide a review on each position. In the latest LA Galaxy Insider Year in Review piece, we look at the team’s forwards.
ALAN GORDON
APPEARANCES IN ALL OFFICIAL COMPETITIONS:
GP: 36 (29 in MLS regular season, four in CONCACAF Champions League, two in U.S. Open Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 11 (seven in MLS regular season, three in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup)
GOALS: 10 (five in MLS regular season, five in CONCACAF Champions League)
ASSISTS: 0
GYASI ZARDES
GP: 33 (29 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 31 (27 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
G: 9 (six in MLS regular season, one in U.S. Open Cup, one in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
A: 5 (four in MLS regular season, one in CONCACAF Champions League)
ROBBIE KEANE
GP: 28 (24 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, one in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 25 (22 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
G: 25 (20 in MLS regular season, three in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
A: 10 (eight in MLS regular season, one in CONCACAF Champions League, one in U.S. Open Cup)
JOSE VILLARREAL
GP: 20 (16 in MLS regular season, two in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 11 (nine in MLS regular season, one in U.S. Open Cup, one in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 3 (two in MLS regular season, one in U.S. Open Cup)
A: 5 (four in MLS regular season, one in U.S. Open Cup)
EDSON BUDDLE
GP: 14 (12 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
GS: 3 (two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS regular season)
G: 0
A: 0
GIOVANI DOS SANTOS
GP: 13 (10 in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
GS: 12 (10 in MLS regular season, one in CONCACAF Champions League, one in MLS Cup Playoffs)
G: 4 (three in MLS regular season, one in CONCACAF Champions League)
A: 7 (five in MLS regular season, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
BRADFORD JAMIESON IV
GP: 7 (in MLS regular season)
GS: 6 (in MLS regular season)
G: 1 (in MLS regular season)
A: 0
RAUL MENDIOLA
GP: 6 (three in CONCACAF Champions League, three in U.S. Open Cup)
GS: 5 (three in U.S. Open Cup, two in CONCACAF Champions League)
G: 1 (in CONCACAF Champions League)
A: 1 (in CONCACAF Champions League)
ARI LASSITER
GP: 1 (in MLS regular season)
GS: 0 (in MLS regular season)
G: 0
A: 0
HIGHLIGHTS:
The LA Galaxy boasted one of the most talented and accomplished group of forwards in MLS last season, but once again, Robbie Keane proved himself to be head and shoulders above the rest.
Keane followed his 2014 MLS MVP season with yet another banner year, tallying 25 goals and 10 assists across just 28 appearances in all competitions. Despite dealing with injuries at the start of the season, the 34-year-old Irishman set an MLS regular season career-high in goals with 20 tallies in just 24 appearances. After another stellar season, the Galaxy’s captain was named to the MLS Best XI for a fourth consecutive season. Keane also enjoyed a strong year with the Republic of Ireland, as he helped his nation qualify for the 2016 European Championships.
To complement Keane, the Galaxy acquired his former teammate at Tottenham Hotspur, Mexican international Giovani dos Santos in August to provide a pop in the attack. Dos Santos showed his qualities almost immediately by scoring in his club debut against Central FC and then finishing the season with four goals and seven assists across all competitions. Frequently paired alongside Keane up top, the duo quickly emerged as a dangerous attacking tandem as their frequent movement, and clever passing, caused havoc on defenses.
After a breakout 2014, Gyasi Zardes once again showed periods of success with nine goals and five assists across all competitions. Although he failed to reach his tally of 16 goals from a year ago, Zardes reached his total playing primarily on the right flank after the arrival of Giovani dos Santos. Zardes also blossomed into a regular for the U.S. National Team appearing in 19 matches for the USMNT in 2015 and tying Claudio Reyna’s record for most appearances by a player in their first year with the squad.
Galaxy boss Bruce Arena also saw flashes of promise from several of his most talented youngsters during the 2015 campaign. Throughout the season, young talent like Ignacio Maganto, Bradford Jamieson IV, Raul Mendiola, and Jose Villarreal showed their quality by finding the back of the net at least once. However, it was Villarreal who made the greatest impact with three goals and five assists in 20 appearances.
Alan Gordon also enjoyed a revival in 2015, tallying 11 goals throughout the year, while remaining Arena’s first choice as an attacking substitution. Gordon’s success at the club level also saw the 34-year-old forward return to the U.S. National Team, as he made two appearances for the squad.
LOWLIGHTS:
Bruce Arena received yet another banner performance out of Robbie Keane in 2015, but production for the rest of his forwards was down from the club’s MLS Cup winning season just a year earlier.
Keane may have enjoyed a strong season, but the Galaxy were largely dependent on their Irish captain to provide an offensive spark. The 34-year-old Irishman ended the regular season with 22 goals, which was three more than the rest of the forward corps combined. If Keane did not find the back of the net, the Galaxy struggled to win as the team went 3-6-2 in matches when the Irishman failed to score.
Although Keane carried the slack, the Galaxy expected to get more production from the likes of Dos Santos and Zardes only to see their output dip toward the end of the season. One of the reasons for this lack of success could be pinned on their placement on the field as Zardes was pushed out to the flanks to allow Dos Santos to line up beside Keane. Not a natural winger, Zardes struggled to provide a consistent output on the flank, while Dos Santos found himself hindered by defenses that often sought to pressure the smaller Mexican attacker.
Edson Buddle, who was added to provide an experienced presence alongside Keane, also struggled as his season was marred with injuries and inconsistent performances. Despite being brought in to serve as another weapon off the bench, Buddle ended the 2015 season without a goal, and was subsequently released at the end of the season.
Inconsistencies weren’t the only major issue for Arena’s forward corps as several players suffered long-lasting injuries that limited their effectiveness throughout the season. Players like Keane and Dos Santos suffered through knocks in 2015, but it was Arena’s youngest players who seemed particularly snake bit. Villarreal (leg) and Jamieson (concussion) both endured lengthy injuries that prevented them from maintaining a place in the starting lineup.
OVERVIEW:
Robbie Keane’s production makes the LA Galaxy thrive, but the club will need a big season from twin tandem of Giovani dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes to compete for an MLS Cup next season.
After their production waned toward the tail end of the season, Dos Santos and Zardes enter the 2016 season with heavy expectations to produce the kind of attacking punch needed to keep the Galaxy near the top of the Western Conference. If the pair can match Keane’s consistent production, the Galaxy will boast an attack that is unmatched in Major League Soccer.
The Galaxy will not be purely reliant on their big guns. However, just as much is expected from young strikers Jose Villarreal, Ignacio Maganto, Bradford Jamieson IV, and Raul Mendiola. All four have shown an ability to contribute to the first team, but have been hindered by injuries or dips in form. Should any of the four find the consistency that has eluded them in recent years, expect the youngsters to carve out a place in Bruce Arena’s starting XI.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
