Think the Yankees were bad? Over the past few months, new Los Angeles Galaxy coach and GM Bruce Arena has cut 11 players, only to bring in 10 new ones.
The Galaxy has failed to make the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, so Arena is stocking the Home Depot Center with a new cast of characters.
“I already see that we have a better infusion of talent than we had last year,” Arena said, the Day 1 huffing and puffing of his far-from-fully-fit players notwithstanding.
For (Tony) Sanneh, a World Cup starter for the U.S. in 2002, it is a comeback attempt of sorts. He is 37 and last played professionally in 2007.
On the first day, the standing part was simple. The running was not.
“It’s just a matter of age. We’ll see if I can do it. Some guys can and some guys can’t. Preki [now the Chivas USA coach] was MVP at 41.”
It is not just a matter of changing personnel that will restore the Galaxy’s fortunes, there are intangibles too.
Forward Jovan Kirovski, who played on the Galaxy’s 2005 MLS championship-winning team before being traded to the Colorado Rapids, is back and sees a difference in the players’ mood.
“It’s a totally different attitude,” he said. “Just stepping into the locker room, it’s totally different.”
Kirovski, who was acquired in November, can play as a forward or in midfield.
“I actually tried to get this move,” he said. “My family is here. I wanted to come back to L.A. I know Bruce from before [with the U.S. national team] and he knows me. I think I can help the team. It worked out. Hopefully, we can turn this thing around and get back to the playoffs every year. With the talent we have, we should be.”
I love how the article fails to mention the dollar amount of any of these transactions. Whereas the deals of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixiera were highly publicized, the salaries of most MLS players never make headlines. Unless your last name is Beckham or Donovan, these new players, though talented, will be making less than $200,000. I know that’s more than most of us make, but when compared to the heavyweights over in the MLB, the MLS players are below the poverty line.
Fact is, the big markets need to win to attract an audience. I’m referring to the Los Angeles Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls. When teams like the Columbus Crew win the MLS Cup, that achievement can only spread so far in terms of sales. When the Galaxy or Red Bulls win, more people care, because their audience is larger. When the MLS reaches the fan base of the NHL, then will it be safer for a smaller market team to win.
These changes are good. After failing to make the playoffs with Beckham, the Galaxy needed to re-tool. When the Galaxy does well, so does the MLS.
