Undisputed

Sorry this took so long. This week had a lot of unexpected turns, and, as always, I could really use some help here. Still, let’s begin.

Winning the Cup last week did a number of things for the Galaxy, including topping off a magnificent season and giving David Beckham serious reason to consider staying. But it may have also clinched LA’s position in MLS’s history books as the league’s best team ever. It’s an idea that’s been proposed time and time again, that this team or that may have been the best that American soccer has ever seen. Such clubs as the mid-to-late 90’s DC United, the 1998 Chicago Fire, the 06-07 Houston Dynamo, and the 2003 San Jose Clash are the first to come to mind, and it would be hard to disagree that these teams were truly exceptional. With such names as Peter Nowak, Eddie Pope, Jeff Agoos, and Jamie Moreno on their rosters, few would disagree that any of these clubs could be considered the best MLS has ever seen.

Yet, even with that said, there’s little doubt in my mind that the 2011 LA Galaxy are the best ever. They are just so, so, so, so freaking good. And I don’t even mean that in a fanboy sort of way; I’m a Red Bulls supporter. But even we in New York have to respect LA as a team. They are the absolute kings of MLS’s past and present, hands down.

I should probably explain why. Here’s my list:

Roster: When making a roster for a professional soccer team, you look for balance. You want stars, and you want consistency. You want veterans, and you want rookies. You want offence, and you want defense. LA has, bar none, everything. Between David Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Robbie Keane, star power is no problem. Then there’s the unsung heroes like Mike Magee, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant. Galaxy has a roster that draws in the casual fan with big names, then has a force of strong but lesser known players that combine to drive the team to nearly constant victory. The strength of their senior players is matched and, perhaps, surpassed by the promise of a youth contingent that starts with the 16 year old Jack McBean and extends to include Juninho, Gonzalez, De La Garza, and Michael Stevens, all under 24. LA has a depth of age, skill, and position that not MLS team in history can compare to.

Offence: Don’t let the fact that the Galaxy scored only 48 goals this year phase you; their offence is ridiculous. It starts in the midfield, where Beckham and Juninho dominate against any opponent. Be it in free play or on set pieces, the LA midfield is unmatched at their ability to control the game, spread the field, and get the ball up into their attacking third. They win almost any ball in the middle, but realize the strength of their strikers, and are quick to get the ball upfield. That’s where Landon Donovan (who often plays very offensively) and Robbie Keane thrive, as they are undoubtedly world-class at cleaning up any ball sent into the middle. That combination is why LA’s offence is so good: they have the perfect pairing of a midfield that can steal any ball and serve it into the box, and an offence that can clean up every time. Even if they didn’t score the most goals in the league, their offence was literally a machine.

Defense: You’ll notice while looking at this year’s League Best XI that 2/3 of the roster’s defense plays for LA, and you shouldn’t be surprised. Led by De La Garza, Gonzalez, Dunivant, and Franklin, the Galaxy’s mind-blowing defense let up only 28 goals all year. Consider that the next best team in terms of goals against, RSL, let in 36, and let it sink in that LA’s defense is actually that good. I just don’t know how else to put it; no other defense in the league is anywhere near LA’s, and I wouldn’t find it hard to believe that no defense ever was. Watch some highlight reels, they’ll speak much more than my words can. Gosh.

Dominance: Just as important as LA’s supremacy on the field was the team’s dominance of the hearts and minds of the league. In 2011, the Galaxy were the undisputed champions of Major League Soccer. They were the kind of team that anyone playing against expects to be a “tuff opponent” in pre-game interviews, and one who opponents expect to lose to. Completing the season with an MLS Cup trophy, a Supporters Shield, and the best offence, defense, and statistics of any team proved that the Galaxy were more than ready to meet and surpass all those expectations. And that’s what separates this Galaxy team from the other contenders for the title of Best Team Ever: the way that the club held the league in its hand in 2011 more than any team has in the past. It’s unprecedented and definitely unrivaled, but it’s true. The spreading of the team as a brand is, from there, only natural, and has been taking its first steps with upcoming matches in Australia, Indonesia, and the Phillipines. Make no mistake, these are glamour games aimed at spreading the Galaxy name. This dominance of MLS as both its unquestioned league leader and its international face is something we’ve never seen before, and is what ultimately boosts the Galaxy far past others considered for the title of Best MLS Team Ever.

So there you have it. The Galaxy is the complete team, and dominates unlike anything we’ve ever seen before. In my mind, they are the absolute unquestioned kings of Major League Soccer’s past and present.

Don’t agree? Sound off in the comments!

Category: LA Galaxy, MLS