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Los Angeles Galaxy: Three hopes, one fear

By Sean Maslin

Oct 23, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; A general view of StubHub Center during the second half between the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas. The game ended in a draw 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; A general view of StubHub Center during the second half between the LA Galaxy and FC Dallas. The game ended in a draw 0-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Abdoulie Mansally (20) slide tackles Los Angeles Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos (10) in the second half at BBVA Compass Stadium. Los Angeles Galaxy won 1 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 16, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo midfielder Abdoulie Mansally (20) slide tackles Los Angeles Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos (10) in the second half at BBVA Compass Stadium. Los Angeles Galaxy won 1 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Hope #3: That Giovani Dos Santos doesn’t need to put this team on his back.

Lost among the hubbub around the return of Donovan and the injuries to Keane, Zardes, and Steven Gerrard is the play of Giovani Dos Santos. Aside from Giovinco no player has been more critical to his club’s success this season than the Mexican international.

During the regular season he led the team in goals (14), assists (12), shots (63), shots on goal (31), and is third in the team in terms of minutes played (2350). Giovinco might have scored more goals but there should be a debate as to who is more valuable to their side.

That being said if the Galaxy are to claim their sixth MLS Cup they are going to need better performances outside of players not named Dos Santos. In the lead up to the playoffs the Galaxy have looked like a one-man show on the attack with Dos Santos doing everything he can to create goal-scoring opportunities for himself and the rest of the team standing with their hands on their hips.

Perhaps it is due to the injuries (losing Keane, Zardes, and Gerrard means that the club loses 19 goals and 18 assists) but they haven’t really found another attacking option to take some of the workload off of Dos Santos.

The obvious answer to who might step up while their other pieces get back to full health is Donovan. The former USMNT captain has had a solid showing since coming out of retirement, scoring a goal and making two starts over six matches. Arena has been careful to ease Donovan back into the fold, gradually increasing his minutes in the midfield. If he does start on RSL look for him to possibly get more work in on the attacking end, working with Dos Santos and either Keane/Gordon on goal-scoring opportunities.

Dos Santos is an exceptional player. But he is going to need help in the playoffs to get the Galaxy back to the top of the mountain.

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