LA Galaxy has no shortages in the center of midfield, with so many able bodies

capable of playing the ball in central midfield. The above diagram explained

perfectly what defines a two-way midfielder. A two-way midfielder is …….

 

“A versatile midfielder who is responsible for organizing play in midfield area.

He is often regarded as the team’s energetic leader.”

 

Besides Beckham, I will roll out the names of the rest of LA Galaxy’s Two-Way

Midfielders:

Michael Stephens, Samba Juninho (YES, HE’S BACK!!!), Kenney Walker,

Kyle Beckerman, Fellow Samba Marcelo Sarvas and Dan Keat.

 

Wealth in Central Midfield, Poverty in The Wings

With a wealth of two-way midfielders at Bruce Arena’s disposal, the rest of the MLS

teams are definitely envious of the depth in LA Galaxy. There is plenty of options

for Bruce Arena to consider, but he will need to choose the best men to line up before

the start of the whistle.

 

Bruce Arena on being over-loaded with two-way midfielders

“With the CONCACAF Champions League and Sarvas cup-tied, it’s important

to have Juninho here,” Arena said. “Beckham and possibly Stephens could

be gone to the Olympics, we need that position to be a position with depth and

quality and I think we have that now.”

 

Bruce Arena has a selection headache, and it is a good problem that most MLS managers

will rather have. It is a pity that Chris Birchall has decided to find a career in England

and has ruled out any chances of a return. In Birchall’s absence, Michael Stephens and

New Zealander Dan Keat looks set to step up to become able back-ups. Kyle Nakazawa

also has much to offer with his MLS playing experience, having played regularly for

Philadelphia Union in spite of his youth. Samba compatriots, Marcelos Sarvas and

Juninho, are among the front-runners to partner Beckham regularly in the center of

midfield.

 

In the event of losing Stephens and Beckham to the 2012 Olympics and Sarvas being

cup-tied, Kyle Nakazawa and Juninho will most likely be pairing up to hold the fort

in midfield. Rafael Garcia and Defensive player Kenney Walker are waiting in the

wings, but the MLS Draftees will need to first prove that they are worthy enough to

be included into the final team roster.

 

Argentinian Winger Miguel Lopez won’t be back at LA Galaxy, as he would be

returning back to Argentinian side Quilmes. Home-Grown player Jose Villareal is

out injured, with only Paolo Cardozo, Mike Magee and Landon Donovan the only

players who can play on the wing. Without wingers to run with the ball down the

channels, LA Galaxy will be playing with litlte width and will be making most of

the plays down the middle. This makes the playbook of LA Galaxy very predictable.

In fact, it falls flat and is dangerously one-dimensional. If the need arises, Beckham

may be called upon to play on the right side, where he has been dishing out

dangerous crosses for his teammates to score from his assists.

 

Midfielders who can play in Multiple Positions

Bruce Arena may look to convert some of the midfielders into wingers, and to

include a training session for them to learn a new position. Bruce has been

known to deploy Birchall on the wings, even though his favored position is

in the center. Rafael Garcia, Kenney Walker and Dan Keat may be receiving

instructions to act as cover for the wings. Younger players are more “malleable”

in learning a new position as they also tend to pick up faster as well. One example

is Brek Shea of FC Dallas, who was converted from a defender into an explosive

and very effective winger.

 

Another way is to deploy a 4-3-3 formation instead of Bruce’s favored 4-4-2

formation. In the 4-3-3 position, with Juninho making defensive covers, Beckham

can then move to the right-side where he can often accurately cross or send long

-range passes cross-field. Marcelo Sarvas can be given a free role where he can

receive passes on the left wing and also to cut into the middle to shoot on goal or to

make a final pass.

 

With converted midfielders, LA Galaxy will not have to worry about shortages of

players on the wings. Playing with width and deploying wingers will be

advantageous to LA Galaxy, and also increase the chances of delivering accurate

crosses to Newly-Acquired Edson Buddle. In the recent Preseason Game versus

LA Blues, Paolo Cardozo has been effective on the wings and linked up well with

Adam Cristman. Cristman, who had not been clinical to a fault, was set up by

Cardozo to surprising finish with two goals in that friendly.

 

Depth in LA Galaxy Required for Hectic Schedule

LA Galaxy is overloaded with two-way midfielders, and the lack of wingers  can

be rather worrying. This will further restrict LA Galaxy to play the ball through

the middle and attempt through balls. The Defence of LA Galaxy has not played

convincingly in the absence of injured Omar Gonzalez, letting in six goals in the

last two Pre-Season Friendlies. In contrast, the LA Galaxy Defence led by Omar

Gonzalez has kept 41 clean sheets over three seasons.

 

Edson Buddle is Back. Juninho is Back, along with Leonardo returning

without LA Galaxy paying a single cent. There is reunion of familiar faces,

with LA Galaxy looking to keep as many of the old players playing together

as possible.

 

If LA Galaxy continues to let in goals at an alarming rate, one can look no

further than to ensure that the strike force of Edson Buddle and Robbie Keane

will be much, much more productive on the other end. I don’t mind if that

means more goals scored, as long as LA Galaxy is the one who is scoring more

goals and winning games.

 

 

 

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