The LA Galaxy scrimmaged the Ventura County Fusion on Wednesday morning.
By Ivan Yeo
It wasn’t the MLS Cup final or a regular season match, but it was certainly good enough on warm yet cloudy Wednesday afternoon.
For the regulars such as Robbie Keane, Juninho and others, it was a chance to shake off some of the rust from the offseason and start the process of getting their legs back underneath them in preparation for the upcoming MLS season. For other players like Charlie Rugg, Raul Mendiola, Oscar Sorto, Wednesday’s scrimmage against the Ventura County Fusion represented the first opportunity to make their case to head coach Bruce Arena that they are able to contribute to the Galaxy in what is expected to be another long grueling campaign in 2015.
“It’s nice to be back,” Juninho said of getting out onto the field. “To see Robbie Keane again, mix up some combinations with them, see Kenney (Walker) and Omar (Gonzalez)
on the field again, it’s nice to be back.”
The regulars got their time in the first half, with Robbie Keane scoring halfway through the first half, but the young players and newcomers got their shot in the second half. One of the newcomers is actually familiar with the team, as Edson Buddle tallied int he second half and Rafael Garcia hit the crossbar late in the scrimmage. Still, what Wednesday’s scrimmage represented for the Galaxy was the first chance in the preseason to get into match fitness, to get into somewhat of a match simulation and try out some new things.
“It’s good to get them out on the field, play a little bit and get them towards match fitness,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said. ”
Rugg is hoping 2015 will provide more of an opportunity to see the field regularly for the Galaxy. Rugg, a striker, played all over the field for the Galaxy on Wednesday, spending a lot of time on the wing, an adjustment for a player entering his third year in the league.
“Obviously it takes a little getting used to changing positions,” Rugg said of the switch to the midfield. “I like it out there, I think I can get used to it and I’m comfortable running in behind and using some speed on the wing is always helpful.”
The Galaxy had their moments in the match, most of it good, though there were some rough spots. The Galaxy started off slow against the Fusion, to be expected for a team playings its first competitive game of the year, and defender Andre Auras was sent off in the second half for a rather clumsy tackle. Still, the Galaxy relished the chance of getting its groove back in time for the start of the 2015 season.
“I was laughing at the beginning of the game,” Juninho admitted after the scrimmage.
This preseason also represents another challenge for the Galaxy; playing without Landon Donovan and Marcelo Sarvas, who was traded to Colorado the day of the Superdraft. Sarvas’ loss is more daunting for Juninho, as the two had turned into a dangerous central midfield combination the last two seasons and Sarvas’ departure leaves a bit more of a burden on Juninho, particularly as Steven Gerrard, his future midfield partner, will not be available until mid-July.
“It’s a little weird, but its part of the life,” Juninho said of the loss of his midfield partner. “We have to keep going, we have new players and you have to keep thinking forward.”
