CARSON, Calif. – We’re only a few months away from the start of the LA Galaxy’s 2017 MLS regular season campaign.
Ahead of the beginning of the Curt Onalfo era, I’ve decided to look at the six players that I’m most looking forward to watching at StubHub Center this season.
Check it out below:
NICOLAS LODEIRO
Nicolas Lodeiro leads the defending MLS Cup champion Seattle Sounders (how weird does that sound?) to StubHub Center on April 22.
Lodeiro took Major League Soccer by storm in 2016 as he helped transform Seattle from bottom feeders to MLS Cup champions in a few short months. Easily one of the finest playmakers in the league, all eyes will be on Seattle’s Uruguayan midfielder to see if he can duplicate his success from last season.
Lodeiro isn’t the only one to watch from the Sounders, however, as striker Jordan Morris will also be one to watch when the Sounders come to town.
JUNINHO
It’ll be a bit strange to Juninho take the field in a No. 19 jersey that is not the familiar LA Galaxy blue, white, and gold.
Now a member of the Chicago Fire, the Galaxy’s former midfield lynchpin returns to StubHub Center on May 6. Back in Major League Soccer after a year with Liga MX side Club Tijuana, Juninho is set to be a significant contributor for the new look Fire midfield that recently added former New York Red Bulls talisman Dax McCarty.
Will we see one of his trademark blasts from distance against the Galaxy? One hopes not.
AJ DELAGARZA AND LEONARDO
Speaking of reunions, the Galaxy will also welcome back their former mainstays along the backline when the Houston Dynamo come to town.
A.J. DeLaGarza and Leonardo both made the move to Space City in the offseason and figure to play a significant part in the plans of new Dynamo boss Wilmer Cabrera. The pair, who played an important role in the Galaxy’s titles in 2011, 2012, and 2014 will return to their former home on June 17.
Like Juni, both players will receive a major ovation from the Galaxy faithful when they take the field.
DAVID VILLA
The reigning MLS Most Valuable Player pays a visit to StubHub Center on Aug. 13 for a clash between two of the league’s most high-profile squads.
One of the top strikers in MLS, Villa took home the Landon Donovan Most Valuable Player award last season after scoring 23 goals (including one against the Galaxy) to lead New York City FC to their first-ever postseason appearances. A world-class striker with unparalleled ability to find the back of the net, Villa is must watch when City visit the Galaxy.
Villa won’t be the only player looking to wow the crowd as talented midfielder Jack Harrison and young striker Tommy McNamara will also be worth watching.
SEBASTIAN GIOVINCO
In this writer’s opinion, there is no player in MLS right now quite like Toronto FC’s diminutive Italian playmaker Sebastian Giovinco which makes his Sept. 16 visit a must-see.
The 29-year-old playmaker has set the league on fire since joining TFC in 2015 with 39 goals and 31 assists in 61 appearances. Last season, the 2015 MLS MVP carried Toronto to the MLS Cup final with a remarkable 26 goals and 20 assists in 39 appearances.
Giovinco leads an impressive team that includes U.S. internationals Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, but when the Italian arrives in September, all eyes will be on him.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
