Photo courtesy of the LA Galaxy.
The LA Galaxy will once again be dependent on the right of Javier “Chicharito” to get them results in 2022.
It was good times and bad times for the LA Galaxy in 2021.
The good: The Galaxy brought in a new head coach, Greg Vanney, who three seasons earlier had led Toronto FC to an MLS Cup title, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, the Galaxy’s high profile signing in 2020, but himself struggled along with the team in 2020, had a bounceback year last year with 17 goals, and the Galaxy got off to a good start that had them well in position to make the playoffs.
The bad: Losing Chicharito to a hamstring injury, which kept him sidelined for two months, and his absence was ultimately felt on the pitch, as the Galaxy went on a winless streak that stretched for two months and nine matches. While the Galaxy were able to remain in the playoff hunt into the final week of the season, but ultimately were not able to get over the playoff line.
Still, last season can serve as a stepping stone to what the Galaxy hopes is a return trip to the MLS playoffs. Sunday’s season-opener against the reigning champions NYCFC was a good start, though that match continued to prove one thing; so goes Chicharito, so goes the Galaxy, as Chicharito’s stoppage time goal enabled the Galaxy to steal the whole three points.
Still the Galaxy are doing its best to not be entirely dependent in Chicharito. In a vintage Galaxy move, the franchise brought in another big star to don the Galaxy shirt. Out went Jonathan Dos Santos, who left the team in the offseason to sign with Liga MX’s Club America, and in comes Brazilian star Douglas Costa, who had starred for the likes of Bayern Munich and Juventus. Costa is expected to bring a different dimension to the team with his dribbling, flair and pace. The Galaxy are also hoping for major improvement from its third designated player, Kevinn Cabral. The French striker came over as a young designated player prior to last season, and while he did make 29 appearances for the Galaxy last season, he only scored five goals. Surely the Galaxy are hoping Cabral takes the next step this season.
Photo courtesy of the LA Galaxy.
Douglas Costa was the latest big-name addition to the LA Galaxy.
The Galaxy did lose a key player during the offseason, as they made the decision to trade Sebastian Lletget to the New England Revolution. Still the midfield is deep for the Galaxy, with players such as Victor Vasquez, Samuel Grandsir and Rayan Raveloson once again expected to play key roles, the back line will once again feature Julian Araujo and Jonathan Bond will again feature between the pipes as the Galaxy’s keeper.
While a playoff berth ultimately came up short, the 2021 season was nevertheless an important step for the Galaxy. Vanney again showed he is a top notch MLS coach with the team’s hot start to last season and Chicharito showed he is still one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the world let alone MLS. This year, with the addition of Costa, and perhaps more moves to come, the Galaxy are surely hoping 2022 is the year they are once again a part of the MLS postseason.
LA Galaxy
