So We Repeat, Now What? Where Do We Go From Here?

Since this is my first blog with The Section 108, I figured I’d hammer home the only important thing that has been talked about since the MLS Cup: Where does LA go from here?

Honestly, that is a very broad question that has many answers. All of the chatter in the offseason has been positive overall. Multiple contractual pieces have fallen into place and the team is shaping up to be better than last season.

The Galaxy acquired goal keeper Carlo Cudicini from Tottenham Hotspur has been the biggest new signing thus far in the off season. Two big positives for the team have been acquiring Juninho from Sao Paolo for an undisclosed transfer fee. That now makes him a permanent member of the roster. The other big positive is a two year extension to Robbie Keane’s contract. The forward proved to be a big positive for the team going into the playoffs last season and a key in the MLS Cup repeat. Finally, Landon Donovan will return to the Galaxy this season, however his return date is still currently unknown.

So the talk of a potential third Designated Player to fill the spot that David Beckham left has been by far the biggest rumbling this season. Talks of Chelea’s Frank Lampard and Real Madrid’s Kaka have continued but no official word from the Galaxy or either player have been made public. My opinion on this is simple: just wait and see. The Designated Player spot doesn’t need to be filled and the current core of the Galaxy is essentially the same team that has been in place for a few seasons with a few exceptions.

Now back to my original question, Where does the LA Galaxy go from here?

The Galaxy has all the tools to be THE super club of Major League Soccer. Some people say that they have already done that but people that aren’t fans of soccer do not know the name. People know the names of other championship winning teams from other sports but a lot of people still don’t know the name of the MLS Champions. It is something that will change in America in the next few years but the Galaxy has been likened to the Yankees of Major League Baseball. With that being said, a high profile signing will be another positive step to get to that place.

Now with that being said, the team has to focus on consistency this season. They also have to focus on getting as far in every competition they are in as possible. That sounds obvious but last season proved to prove a point that even though you have the talent, if you don’t have the focus and the veteran depth, you won’t get very far.

I won’t reopen wounds with the details of the failures of the 2012 season but I will use the thoughts of last season in mind to say that focusing on building depth and maintaining consistency is definitely where the Galaxy needs to go from here.

The Galaxy have the tools to win everything this season but can they? Only time will tell.