Although I don’t watch as much MLS as I would like, LA Galaxy’s defeat to Real Salt Lake on penalties in the MLS Cup Final has caught my imagination.
Beckham transformed
LA Galaxy of course raised their profile as a football franchise by signing England star David Beckham a few years ago but until this season he had looked poor.
This season the games I’ve seen him play in hes actually contributed something to the team rather than being an expensive luxury.
His transformation has been helped by stinging criticism from teammate Landon Donovan. The American international and this seasons MLS Most Valuable Player had criticised the England internationals attitude in a well publicised book. He also questioned whether he cared about the franchise.
Fickle fans
The fans also questioned Beckhams heart for the franchise and attitude. Beckham didn’t help his cause by making a a loan move to Italian side AC Milan last January. However despite the criticism of the fans earlier this year Beckham has started putting in the sort performances that were expected of him when he became Galaxy’s marquee signing two years ago.
I would imagine the fans opinion of the former United ace has changed slightly since he helped the Galaxy to the MLS Cup final. He has shown great heart and also great character to win over the Galaxy fans. Character is always something that Beckham had in his locker but its finally showing for his current employers.
Donovan the key
Beckham’s performances however are not why the Galaxy got the MLS Cup Final. I believe its his the teammate who criticised him so heavily not so long ago Landon Donovan who was the star performer for the Galaxy. Donovan apologised to Beckham after his critical comments and this season has saw the two gain a renewed respect. That respect has helped them to establish a superb attacking partnership.
Donovan won the MLS Most Valuable Player award for the first time ever this season. His 12 goals in the regular season was key and I believe he is the most important player in the Galaxy squad. Donovan is vastly underrated in Europe after two fleeting spells in Germany firstly with Bayer Leverkusen and then last season with Bayern Munich. In those two spells the USA’s all time leading goalscorer made only 13 appearance’s in those spells in Germany.
He was hardly been given a chance in Europe and I think a move to the Premier League would be ideal for the 27 year-old. He has the technique and style to be able to handle the English top flight. He just needs the chance to prove himself. I think the Premier League is best suited to his hustle and bustle style of play. However a move away from the league would take a lot away from the Galaxy and MLS.
Lucky to have Arena
I think Galaxy are lucky to have not just Beckham and Donovan but also coach Bruce Arena. The former USA coach has turned his team from the worst team in MLS into the second best. He deservedly won MLS Coach of the Year Award after the Galaxy’s transformation.
He used his knowledge of MLS to his advantage by strengthening his defence with the signing of Jamaica international keeper Donovan Ricketts and drafted in defenders Omar Gonzalez and A. J. De La Garza. The moves paid off as the franchise performed much better in defence. The Galaxy conceded 31 goals this season, compared to 62 of last season. A remarkable improvement.
Good season despite defeat
Many will see finishing as runners-up in the MLS Cup Final as failure, but after last seasons awful campaign it has to regarded as a big success. And maybe next season with the likes of Donovan, Beckham and Arena at the franchise the Galaxy can go one step further and lift the MLS Cup.
Imagine my surprise when the leading story on your site is about the LOSING team of the MLS cup. More praise lavished on the hollywood soccer set when the boys from SLC are the real heroes. C’mon quite publishing what all of us ‘knew’ you would publish and recognize the people in the trenches, not those argueing on the pages of People magazine and TMZ. This site is about soccer right??
Signed,
A concerned fan
I forgot to congratulate Salt Lake on their truimph. Very well done Jason Kreis and Co.
Are you a Salt Lake fan Mark? If you are I congratulate you on your success. The article was more about the fact that the Galaxy were the worse team in MLS last season.
Also the fact they have two of the best players in the league and have taken so long to come good. If you are American don’t you want us to talk about one of the best players currently in your national soccer side Landon Donovan?
Of course David, but in this case, Donovan was an opponent, not a hero, to fans like Mark. I think of Donovan, Beckham, Beckerman, and Espindola as heroes of MLS. I am a fan of MLS as a whole, cheering for all teams when they score. I cheered on for Salt Lake for their win, and Galaxy for their stubborness and refusal to give up, until they finally lost.
Sorry Brad, my point is I suspect Mark isn’t even a Real Salt Lake fan!
You better hope he dont hear you!!!
I’m not scared Brad!
Oh, I hope not.
But this is off the point. . . the point is, while we should congratulate Real Salt Lake on their surprise win over Galaxy, the article is about how Galaxy went from being the worst in the league to being one of the elite teams in MLS. Donovan as the top striker, Beckham making the unbelievable plays (such as the pass he made in the second-leg of the Conference Semis against Chivas USA to Donovan), and Donovan Ricketts in goal. . .
Your right that is the whole point of the article Brad spot on!