Many have been critical of, Gareth Bale’s lack of impact since joining LAFC in Major League Soccer. I was certainly one of those folks. But…you cannot deny that it was worth the wait and investment after his last gasp header helped spearhead his team to penalties and a championship.
Where does this heroic moment rank in his illustrious career? I asked him the question and this was his answer!
The LA Galaxy have had an average regular season by their standards. Yet somehow, they’ve found themselves in the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in two seasons.
It has been a long and difficult road to this point. Fans have been disgruntled with the front office and in particular, Chris Klein. They have felt his transfer business has been less than average from before the Zlatan chapter.
Despite designated players like, Kévin Cabral being more than disappointing and Douglas Costa not delivering enough on the high expectations, the five-star winning side have found some decent form towards the end of the season and are locked in for a Western Conference semi-final versus their rivals, LAFC.
Recent acquisitions like Gastón Brugman and Riqui Puig seem to have dug Klein and the club out of a massive hole and are a major reason for making the playoffs. They’ve meshed in beautifully and made a huge difference on the pitch. And the continual drive and scoring ability of Mexican legend, Javier Hernández, the club are in an improbable position to fight for the biggest prize of all…a championship.
With all the challenges this team has faced, Hernández is loving the position the team is in and post playoff win versus, Nashville he shared his usual enthusiasm and positivity. There’s no doubt his leadership has been integral to their journey thus far and once again, he reminded us all that football is fun. The beloved “Chicharito” is definitely all in on the ride! Listen to his comments via the link below.
The playoffs were on the line and LA Galaxy hadn’t been below the playoff line all season. Destiny was in their own hands. Win and you are in. This was the Corner of the Galaxy show broadcast a few days before the massive final home game vs Minnesota. Dare I say some of the truths discussed might seem even more valid now.
LA Galaxy is a five star shirt team. Mediocrity is too accepted across all facets of the club. Excellence has been replaced with complacency. The fans deserve more. Excuses are for start-ups. This is a globally renowned franchise. Time to re-ignite the team’s culture and DNA. This starts at the very top.
A five-star team always needs five-star calibre players.
The Galaxy have signed many great players over the years and these signings have resulted in a true evolution of Major League soccer at domestic and international level. The most notable of course is, David Beckham. He elevated and changed the game in the United States like no other football player. Beckham helped garner more eyeballs on Major League Soccer and was the nucleus to bringing in more sponsorships and collaborations with big brands that added commercial value to multiple cities and business across the country. He sold tickets. He put bums on seats. And when LA Galaxy signed him, it changed the game forever.
In addition to Beckham, there was of course homegrown talent like, Landon Donovan. Undoubtedly the poster boy for American soccer since his teens, he also became an LA Galaxy captain and legend. Donovan was the connectivity to American culture, the growth of the game and had a huge influence even when big name European players joined the club. He formed an incredible partnership with Robbie Keane and after a dodgy start with Beckham, they found their way and formed one of the most prolific on field relationships in MLS history. But all great things come to an end. And once again LA Galaxy found themselves in a place to to replace legends like Beckham, Donovan and fan favourite, Robbie Keane. Enter the era of Zlatan!
Zlatan arrived with huge fanfare. He even took out an entire page in the LA Times thanking himself and telling Angelinos they were welcome that he was in their city! The bravado was nothing short of what we would expect from the self-proclaimed lion. He lit up MLS immediately and he was the catalyst for infusing a true rivalry with noisy neighbours, LAFC. The lion roared and the Galaxy fans loved every second of it.
Zlatan however decided he had one more chapter to write in Europe. He had left such a huge footprint in Los Angeles that replacing him would probably be one of the hardest tasks of all for this great MLS club. Once again, they had a trump card to play, but this time, would it work?
Enter Javier Hernández, aka Chicharito, the beloved Mexican legend who could now become a new hero in Los Angeles, especially with the large community of Hispanic fans who adore the Galaxy. He had every ingredient to make this one of the most special signings in the club’s history. After all, he played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and other great clubs across Europe and has always been a star for country. But not all stars shine brightly right away. Sometimes it takes a journey in order to find a new place on this earth to shine.
As we look towards the new season, we couldn’t help but rewind to the excitement, hoopla and pizazz in LA when Chicharito did arrive. There was so much hope and many believed this signing was the right move to follow the legend that is Zlatan. With that said, not all moves are seamless or easy. It’s tough moving to a new country and team. When you’ve known something to be a certain way for years, it’s only human to feel challenged with a new environment. And imagine having the hopes of a nation and city on your shoulders too?
Everyone will agree Chicharito’s debut in MLS was hugely disappointing. But he’s been fighting his way back to fitness and form and has elevated his engagement in the task at hand during the off season. Can he dethrone the current golden boy and ex-Arsenal man, Carlos Vela? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, we cannot wait for kick-off and everyone who is a part of the LAG community is rooting for Chicharito to shine as bright as the five stars on the Galaxy shirt!
Always love contributing to this fantastic LA Galaxy podcast. On this episode we talk new signings and the excitement of having fans back in stadiums. Plus there’s a reference to a very famous Greek singer that sent Josh directly to iTunes!
Get stuck in. Have your voice heard. Be part of the conversation.
Dan Patrick is without doubt the most authentic and engaging sports broadcaster in the United States. He has never fallen victim to the shouting, talking head schtick, and if anything, has evolved into an even greater on-air host since going alone. He is the master of the art of conversation. The entire show truly feels like you are down the pub having a pint with your mates.
To have 30 seconds of football/soccer talk with him once a month is an absolutely treat. FYI – It used to be 10 seconds of soccer. Who knows, we may even get it to a whole minute some day soon!
Clip @ 2:51 minutes. Enjoy.
FLASHBACK – I’ve met some great people covering, LA Galaxy and MLS here in Southern California. This season, I was invited to join the, Corner of the Galaxy squad as a regular guest. Love being part of this show. Epic humans who know their football and LAG history.
The week of this particular show was also the week where we went live at, Dignity Health Sports Park. The rain came down, equipment was compromised, but nothing could stop us or the fans who came out in their hundreds to support the COG squad. Cannot wait until we can all go back to that!
The world is in self-isolation. But thanks to technology, we still get to connect, broadcast and talk football. The Coronavirus is impacting so many lives, livelihoods and our love of sports. Our souls need good tonic right now. We hope this episode brings you some normalcy and comfort. Hang in there. We are all in this together.
Welcome to Zlatan, Los Angeles.
One of the world’s best ever soccer players arrives in the City of Angels. The entertainment mecca of the universe. Can his bright star shine in a town full of bright stars?
This week, David Beckham made a huge announcement that will shape the story arc in the final chapter of his exceptionally successful football career. On December 1, Beckham will play his last competitive game for LA Galaxy, and there’s no doubt he has divided opinion since his arrival to Major League Soccer in 2007.
Sometimes, the opinion of Beckham has little to do with him as a football player and more to do with him as a person. Despite the fame and fortune, Beckham has always remained a passionate football player. Ultimately, he just loves to play. He wishes he could play forever. And surely, the game would be better off with him prolonging his career for as long as he could, right? You would think so.
There seems to be an unnecessary undertone to some of the dialogue related to Beckham. Upon his announcement, fans took to social media to voice their opinions, and he is definitely a polarizing figure who can bring out the ugly in some people.
But why is this the case when Beckham has always been a solid professional, a great role model for kids and is generally a very good bloke?
Is there a tinge of jealousy in the air? Read my latest article on Bleacher Report. It’s definitely brushed with a little fun!