CARSON, Calif. – Romain Alessandrini has been on a tear of late, managing three goals and two assists over his last three appearances.
The LA Galaxy’s French Designated Player is starting to make a name for himself in MLS, and head coach Curt Onalfo believes he’s only going to continue to improve.
“Alessandrini is exactly what we thought he would be,” said Onalfo after LA’s win over the Montreal Impact on Friday. “He’s a great player. He can beat you on the dribble, he can play-make, he can score, he can create goals.”
Alessandrini has been centrally involved in five of the seven goals the Galaxy have scored this season, notching two assists against Real Salt Lake, scoring twice in a losing effort against the Vancouver Whitecaps and bagging their opener on Friday.
It’s taken Alessandrini some time to find his footing in MLS, and the Galaxy believe his best is yet to come.
“The things that’s difficult for people who are on the outside looking in is, he’s only been with us five weeks,” said Onalfo. “If he was with us from day one we’d probably have more points.
“It takes time for people to adjust. He’s just going to keep getting better. He is quality, and his work ethic on top of it makes him an exciting player to watch and a great asset for a coach.”
For Alessandrini, a shortened preseason meant learning a new league, a new city and a new club, not to mention the names of his new teammates. To adapt to such change quickly enough to reach his current level of form suggests the potential for something special.
“It’s been a little bit difficult because I changed my life,” said Alessandrini on Friday. “I changed the country, I changed the team [I play for].
“The three goals and two assists, it’s nice for me. But I’m here to give assists, to score. But the most important thing is to win. Tonight all the team played good, and after that we won the game, so that’s the most important for me.”
The truest test of Alessandrini’s impact may arrive this weekend, when the Galaxy visit Orlando City SC in front of a national-television audience on Saturday (2:30 pm ET | FOX, FOX Deportes in US, MLS LIVE in Canada).
Galaxy captain Jelle Van Damme believes he can get it done.
“He’s a big asset,” said Van Damme. “He’s a great player.
“He’s in a good flow, a positive flow, and it’s up to him to keep it as long as possible.”
