The Future of Juan Pablo Ángel.
By: Ben | January 23rd, 2011
First of all, I thank you, the readers, for your saintly patience. Mid terms are now over, and I will try to go back to semi-regular updates in the near future.
That being said, one of the biggest events from the time I was gone was Juan Pablo Ángel’s official signing as LA’s third DP behind Becks and Landon Donovan. Ángel, who was scooped up by the Galaxy in round two of the Re-entry Draft after his contract with New York was not renewed, spent the past four seasons as the driving force of the then-mediocre Red Bulls. Having spent time with Colombia’s Atlético Nacional, Argentina’s River Plate, England’s Aston Villa, and Colombia’s national side, it is clear that JPA will be bringing a wealth of experience to LA.
However, at 35 years old, that experience can easily translate to being over the hill.When he suits up for Galaxy in the coming season, Ángel will be tied with Beckham for the title of second oldest in the club. Sure, he still has some of the best skills on the ball in the league, but the real question is for how much longer that will remain true. Ángel may remain dear in the hearts of Red Bulls fans, but they will be the first to say that, as good as he is now, he clearly isn’t what he was in 2007, nor even 2009. This isn’t to say that he is making some catastrophic burnout, but JPA is definitely on the downswing.
So, the question arises: how much longer does Ángel have left as a professional soccer player? Will he end his career with Galaxy? Will he stay on an burn out, or will he retire? Personally, I think he has 2-3 years left with Galaxy before he calls it quits.
What do you think?
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Comments
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He’ll play a couple of years with the Galaxy and his last year, he’ll return to the Colombian league and play with Atletico Nacional.
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Year Games Goals (all competitions)
2007 27 20
2008 28 16
2009 26 12
2010 32 14His 20 goals in 2007 was likely because he was new and the league was still shit. 13 goals in 30 league games in 2010 is a great return in this league, good enough to tie for sixth overall, and just more than a third of all NY’s goals.
If there’s any indicator of just how far behind this league is, it’s the lack of scoring. There just isn’t a high level of technique on the ball, and it shows, when the highest scoring club only averaged 1.5 goals per game.
If Angel only scores 10 goals next season, or even 8, that will be worth it. 10 goals would put him in the top ten scorers last season.
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Keep in mind he was the sole PK taker all 4 years for the Red Bulls. He also took 90% of the free kicks within 25/30 yards, even after Henry and Marquez arrived (at least one of which he scored on). Angel scored 5 or 6 times on PKs and freekicks. With Donovan and Beckham taking the majority of the set pieces, I think Angel’s contributions will all come from the run of play, 8 goals tops. I think 5 or 6 is more realistic.
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Wow I would love to just drive this around the city for awhile, talk about a joyride
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Do you think the automotive industry will fully recover here in the next couple of years?
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Not saying I wish everyone could drive this car, just wish more people had the pleasure of even seeing it on the road
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I love the way this car looks, wouldn’t mind taking it out for a spin
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