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| Friday, September 14, 2001 24:13 EST |
Los Angeles Galaxy: 2001 Outlook
[ESPN.com news services]
The Galaxy started off 2001 by winning The Football Confederation Champions Cup in January, and as a result earned passage to the FIFA Club World Championship this summer (July 29 - August 12) in Spain. Los Angeles will lock horns with renowned world powers Real Madrid, Palmeiras, Boca Juniors and Galatasaray.
Alexi Lalas will give the Galaxy a veteran leader in defense. |
Los Angeles is led by its standout defense and counter-attacking offense. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman is the linchpin, playing behind a formidable defense which includes U.S. National Team member Greg Vanney as well as Ezra Hendrickson, Paul Caligiuri and second-year standout Danny Califf. In addition, MLS legend Alexi Lalas has come out of retirement to play for the Galaxy and was a key factor in their Champions Cup run.
The midfield is fueled by creative veteran Mauricio Cienfuegos and workhorse Simon Elliott, the team's Honda MVP a year ago. The New Zealand international plays both ends of the field and appears to be just beginning to scratch the surface of his talents. Cienfuegos, meanwhile, remains one of the best passers in MLS. Second-year players like Sasha Victorine and Peter Vagenas should also have important roles in 2001, with veterans Danny Pena and Brian Kelly providing depth.
A full season with Mexican great Luis Hernandez at striker will go a long way toward making the Galaxy a complete team this season. Los Angeles also solidified the forward corps by nabbing promising forwards Isias Bardales, Jr. and Brian Mullan in the first round of the 2001 SuperDraft to provide options in attack.
Key Additions:
D Alexi Lalas, F Isias Bardales, Jr., F Brian
Mullan.
Key Departures:
D Zak Ibsen, M Jorge Salcedo.
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2000 Galaxy Leaders
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Goals
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7, Cobi Jones
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Assists
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7, Mauricio Cienfuegos
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Points
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20, Cobi Jones
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GAA
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1.00 Kevin Hartman
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Keep an eye on:
D Greg Vanney (six goals, 14 points) has not only developed into the best passing defender in MLS but he is also arguably MLS' top penalty-kick taker. F Luis Hernandez (four goals, 14 points in 16 games) has half an MLS season under his belt, and might be ready to leave a mark in this MLS campaign. M Peter Vagenas (seven points in 16 games) was one of the U.S.' best players in the 2000 Olympic Games and may see more action in the Galaxy midfield as a second-year player.
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