MLSsoccer.com continues its team-by-team preview of the 2013 SuperDraft with a look at what could be in store for the LA Galaxy, the two-time defending MLS Cup champions.
Bruce Arena confirmed on Monday that Kaká is “off the radar,” and wouldn’t comment about Frank Lampard. Landon Donovan’s off on sabbatical, and David Beckham is an LA player no more.
The Galaxy win titles because of players like the above. But they also win because of players like Tommy Meyer, who went from the last draft pick of the first round in 2012 to starting in MLS Cup 2012. And players like Mikey Stephens, A.J. DeLaGarza and Bryan Gaul. All of them were taken outside the top 15, and all of them played big minutes in the regular season and CONCACAF Champions League.
So expect the Galaxy to reload with big names. But you can also expect them to grab at least one contributor from the draft as well.
LA Galaxy SuperDraft Picks: #19 (1st Rd), #24 (2nd Rd)
LA Galaxy Depth Chart (27 players):
Goalkeepers (4): Carlo Cudicini, Will Hesmer, Brian Perk, Brian Rowe
Right Back (2): Sean Franklin, Oscar Sorto
Center Back (5): Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Tommy Meyer, Leonardo, David Junior Lopes
Left Back (2): Todd Dunivant, Bryan Gaul
Defensive Midfielders (3): Juninho, Dan Keat, Kenney Walker
Central Midfielders (3): Marcelo Sarvas, Mikey Stephens, Rafael Garcia
Left Midfielders (2): Mike Magee, Colin Clark
Right Midfielders (2): Jose Villarreal, Hector Jimenez
Forwards (4): Robbie Keane, Gyasi Zardes, Jack McBean, Landon Donovan
Internationals slots (1 of 8 remaining): Keane, Keat, Lopes, Cudicini, Juninho, Sarvas, Leonardo
LA Galaxy SuperDraft Priorities
Wide Right: Christian Wilhelmsson frustrated Galaxy fans in the playoffs, but the fact is that the LA counterattack – their bread and butter – was at its best when he was stretching the field horizontally and vertically. If they can get his doppleganger in the draft, they’ll have filled a need on the cheap.
Wish List (right mids):Ryan Hollingshead (UCLA), Erik Hurtado (Santa Clara), Emery Welshman (Oregon St.), Evan Raynr (UCLA)
Left In: Dunivant has logged ironman minutes since Arena decided to stop trading him, and the time is coming soon when he won’t be able to go 90 every week. Gaul gave good minutes in relief, but may project long-term as more of a central defender. Isn’t it always a good idea to pick up a left back if one’s on the board?
Wish List (left backs):Kory Kindle (CSU Bakersfield), Greg Cochrane (Louisville), Jimmy Nealis (Georgetown), John Gallagher (Penn St.)
Get Big: Gonzalez has been attracting Euro interest for years, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if someone made LA an offer they couldn’t refuse for him. Meyer and DeLaGarza are still there, yes, but the Brazilians behind them are questionable at best.
Wish List (central defenders):Dylan Tucker-Gangnes (Washington), Eric Schoenle (West Virginia), Tommy Muller (Georgetown), Kofi Opare (Michigan)
