Hello My Name Is: “Insert Random Unknown Player Here”

This is how I felt watching those first pre-season games in Hawaii and Asia. Where were the G’s that I had cheered/jeered all last season? I mean I recognized a few, seeing Xavier’s hair alone invokes a warm comforting feeling that balls will be won in the air this season. But who were these other dudes wearing those sweet Galaxy replicas? Oh wait, those are real… Hmmmm.

So here is a guide to some of the new faces we will be seeing this year. Along with what I think about what I’ve seen so far.

Goalkeeper:
Charles Alamo (UCR): Outside of a pretty shotty youtube video I saw online, I haven’t seen this guy play yet. Reports are good, but he blew out his knee in pre-season. Gotta give it up for the Galaxy though, they still offered him a contract after his injury.
Josh Wicks (Portland Timbers): In limited minutes in the pre-season, Wicks has made quite a name for himself amongst Galaxy supporters. He has looked very cool between the pipes. Even more important is that the defense has looked well composed when he has backed them up. This may be due to his large voice, which often can be heard over the TV broadcast. No official contract with the Galaxy, but that should be just a formality, unless he prefers a starting spot with the Timbers.

Defense:
Julian Valentin (Wake Forest): A product of many of the US youth teams and National Champions Wake Forrest. He has the size and the mind for the professional game, and has looked very well combining in the center of the Galaxy backline, in limited minutes. Many scouts say he dropped in the draft due to his recovery speed. However, that hasn’t stopped us from using either Xavier or Vanney so far this pre-season and they play with lead shoes on.
Sean Franklin (CSUN): If the Galaxy wanted speed, they definitely got it here. Perhaps the heir apparent to Chris Albright’s untimely exit. Franklin seems to have all the raw assets of the outside back that is so essential in the modern game. He may not break in right away, with the Klein-Beckham tandem seeming to be working well on the right, but he is someone to watch.
Michael Gavin (Univ. of Portland): At the risk of sounding harsh, I have to say, I am not at all won over. The defensive miscues at the back, especially distribution, by the rookie have been a huge concern. He seems to know how to go forward, but the final cross or pass doesn’t seem to find its proper destination. He is definitely going to have to mature on the fly if he wants to beat out Michael Randolph for the LB spot.

Midfield:
Ely Allen (Washington): More than any other, this newcomer has impressed me with his ability to instantly adapt to the professional level. Left midfield was a glaring hole by the end of the 2007 season. Allen has shown a comfort on the ball and a technique on the wing that the Galaxy has been sorely missing. Has he missed some simple goal scoring chances? Yes. At this point to you have to be wiling to chalk that up to nerves. Eventually he will have to start finishing those, but his ability to position himself well in the offensive third has to be recognized. Unless Ruud wants to experiment with Randolph in this spot, and with the waiver of Babayaro, the left wing position seems to be Allen’s to lose.
Alvaro Pires (Spartak Nalchik): Over the last two years the Galaxy has been criticized for not having enough Central/South American players on a team that represents a huge Latino market. Alvaro could be a small answer to this. His comfort on the ball is obvious as is his ability to link the defense and offense. His one “Snipah!” dive in Hawaii aside, he has seemed very composed in the middle of the park for LA. Now the question is, who do you pair with him?

Offense:
Bryan Jordan (Portland Timber): Another player from the Portland area, Jordan has been for my money the soccer equivalent of vanilla. For every good thing I see him do, there seems to be an equal and opposite negative. He seems to struggle in finding the proper positioning in the box for crosses and through balls. His appetite is apparent as he never stops working. But tenacity can only take you so far. Sooner or later the mental and technical aspect needs to catch up to his desire. That being said, there are plenty of coaches out there that wish some of there stars even knew the meaning of the word desire. We’ll call this one an interesting work in progress.