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| Thursday, March 21, 2002 14:42 EST |
Los Angeles Galaxy: 2002 Outlook
[ESPN.com news services]
The bad taste of defeat became extra bitter for Sigi Schmid and Los Angeles Galaxy in 2001, when a heartbreaking golden goal in MLS Cup crushed the team's hopes of its first MLS Championship.
Cobi Jones and Galaxy are set to make another run at the title this season. |
Despite the setback, which was numbed slightly by the team's first U.S. Open Cup title six days later, a solid offseason of key acquisitions will make the Galaxy a favorite to challenge for MLS Cup 2002.
A deep and experienced defense anchored by the underrated Ezra Hendrickson and 2000 U.S. Olympian Danny Califf has added more versatility as the Galaxy selected marking back Tyrone Marshall during the Allocation Draft.
In goal, Kevin Hartman and Matt Reis each posted winning records last season and combined for 10 shutouts. The two are expected to again compete fiercely for the starting job.
With the return of All-Star Greg Vanney still uncertain following an offseason loan to Bastia of France, stay-at-home defenders Alexi Lalas, Craig Waibel and Adam Frye give Schmid plenty of options on the back line.
With the team's top two scorers already returning in the form of Cobi Jones and third-year player Sasha Victorine, Los Angeles replaced Mexican striker Luis Hernandez with Guatemalan International Carlos Ruiz.
Young Americans Chris Albright and Brian Mullan give the club five quality strikers and the ability to open up an offense that finished second in the league with 52 goals in 2001.
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2001 Galaxy Leaders
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Goals
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8, Luis Hernandez
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Assists
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11, Simon Elliott
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Points
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22, Cobi Jones
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GAA
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1.25 Kevin Hartman
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Midfielders Simon Elliott, Peter Vagenas and Mauricio Cienfuegos have formed a versatile and effective trio that specializes in giving the team's forwards plenty of quality opportunities at goal.
In addition, the ability of Hendrickson (five goals in 2001) and Marshall to push forward into the attack will make a team with plenty of offensive threats even more difficult to contain.
Key Additions:
Chris Albright, Tyrone Marshall
Key Departures:
Paul Caligiuri, Luis Hernández
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