Galaxy 2019 season preview: How will Zlatan, GDS & company fare?

The Los Angles Galaxy has undergone many changes in preparation for their upcoming 2019 season, ranging from the new coaching staff, new players and even some cosmetic upgrades to their stadium.

MLS’ most winningest side was in dire need of some changes after two straight years of not making the playoffs, so they set out to do just that, starting with hiring a new man to lead the team this coming season. The man responsible for that role now is ex-MLS star, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The former Boca Juniors great and Columbus Crew striker arrives at Los Angeles after two years of coaching his old team, Boca Juniors, winning just as many league titles in that same time. Now, back in another league where he shined as a player, the Argentina native, Barros Schelotto, looks to further extend his coaching success by returning the Galaxy to their once glorious past. Along with a new coach and new coaching staff, the Galaxy have also brought in some new faces to star on the field.

While they might not have gone for any big name signings this year (after all, how could they possibly top last season’s Zlatan signing?) they did bring in some much-needed reinforcements. Perhaps their most significant signing for this upcoming season is that of Uruguayan defender, Diego Polenta. It’s no secret the Angelino’s most significant weakness last season was their defense, so they’re looking to add some strength there with Polenta, who has plenty of experience after having played in Uruguay’s top flight league as well as in plenty of South American tournaments. With a healthy Rolf Feltscher also back in defense, the Galaxy is hoping to leave behind their defensive woes. The feat will not be a small one, however, especially after having lost Ashley Cole this offseason to the English Premier League side, Derby County.

But the defense wasn’t the only area where Galaxy brought in new players. Their midfield also saw two great new signings, one being the return of a player that the LA Galaxy faithful are very familiar with already. After one year with the Chicago Fire, the Angelinos are bringing back a fan favorite, Juninho, who they are hoping will bring some experience and leadership to the middle of the field. Juninho playing side-by-side with Jonathan dos Santos should be a duo to watch this upcoming season. But maybe the team’s most intriguing acquisition this offseason is that of Mexican international, Uriel Antuna. The former Santos Laguna and current Manchester City midfielder will be on loan with the Galaxy this coming season, after having been on loan last season with Dutch Eredivisie side, FC Groningen. The Galaxy and Coach Barros Schelotto will be looking to have the 21-year-old cause damage on the wings, alongside a now healthy Sebastian Lletget and superstar Romain Alessandrini.

The Galaxy’s front-end of the field also saw a slight change very late in the offseason with the sale of their second-leading goal scorer last year, Ola Kamara, to the Chinese Super League club, Shenzhen FC. All eyes will now be on Mexico star, Giovani dos Santos, to overcome his struggles to help with the hole Ola leaves behind. The elder dos Santos should have his work cut out for him as he looks to prove that he still has that magic that brought him to fame and give support to superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. That, of course, is if dos Santos can manage to stay on the team. With Gio being one of four Designated Players on the Galaxy roster, of which they are only allowed three, his status with the group has become a rather serious question. While his performance has suffered these past two years, last year being particularly bad, it seems that both Galaxy and Gio want to continue being together. For this to happen, their only solution may be for Gio to restructure his contract and accept a pay cut, something that both parties are still negotiating.

Another player that Galaxy fans will want to keep an eye out for, especially as they look towards the future, is Mexican-American young talent, Efrain Alvarez. The 16-year-old (yes, you read that correctly) Los Angeles native made his professional debut at 15 last season, playing for the Galaxy’s USL team, LA Galaxy II. With Los Dos, Alvarez was practically a walking highlight reel, playing in 17 matches and scoring 12 goals, earning himself multiple visits to USL’s Team of the Week. Mexico’s U-17 team even recently called up the young Alvarez for training camp as well.

Then, of course, there’s LA Galaxy’s, and perhaps even Major League Soccer’s, greatest current asset, Zlatan Ibrahimovic. After an unforgettable debut, and after leading the Galaxy in scoring and assists last season, Zlatan will be looking to repeat his successes of last year. Being named this season’s team captain, and without his goal-scoring partner Ola Kamara, the 37-year-old Zlatan will have to prove that last season wasn’t a fluke and that he’s still got it in him to succeed. For his part, the native of Malmö, Sweden has said that he “plans on breaking all MLS records this season.” Zlatan being Zlatan.

We should also point out that the Galaxy even made some cosmetic changes to their home, starting with a name change, as Stub Hub Center will now be known as Dignity Health Sports Park. They will also be opening up new luxury seating options, in-seat food, and drink amenities, as well as a new sound system and the creation of Legends Plaza just outside the stadium gates, where they will be unveiling the first of a series of statutes honoring club legends before their season opener. This first statue will be honoring LA Galaxy great, and former England star, David Beckham.

All of this should make for an exciting season for the Galaxy, as they’ll have many questions to answer and fans will be optimistic about what this year could bring. They’ll be opening up league play on March 2nd against a Chicago Fire side that is looking to bounce back from their second-to-last place finish last season and who will have German World Cup winner, Bastian Schweinsteiger, for at least one more year. After a less than stellar pre-season, Galaxy fans will be hopeful that the start of the season will be a step in the right direction for the famed Los Angeles team and towards that coveted 6th title.