LA Galaxy, a brief history:
The LA Galaxy was founded in 1994 as one of eight charter teams in MLS, which began play in 1996 with ten inaugural teams that have now expanded to 23 teams for the 2018 season (with a goal of reaching 28 teams in five years.) The franchise is one of Major League Soccer's most-decorated clubs, with a record five MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields, and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups. The club has appeared in a record nine MLS Cups, and won the Western Conference regular season title eight times. However, 2017 was a disaster in the making for the club that earned the MLS Wooden Spoon award for the worst record in the league and the worst in their team's history. What went wrong? Many things; call it a perfet shi* storm of events that led to the firing of Curt Onalfo, the bad luck schleprock that took over the reigns of the LA Galaxy after a successful Bruce Arena left for the US National team (an ill-fated decision in and of itself as it turns out).
Curt Onalfo, a brief history:
In January 27, 2011, Onalfo was named assistant coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy, reuniting with head coach Bruce Arena, with whom he formerly coached for the U.S. National Team and played for at D.C. United in 1998. He was also named head coach of the Galaxy's reserve team the same day. Onalfo continued serving as reserve coach when the reserve team entered the United Soccer League as a full club. Following the departure of Arena to coach the United States national team, Onalfo was promoted to first team head coach for the 2017 season. However, once again, this tenure lasted less than a full season, with Onalfo being fired on July 27, 2017 after a 6-10-4 record (W-L-D).
2017 Stats
*Highlighted section is the last match before Curt Onalfo was fired.
Untimely Events
Starting right back Robbie Rogers out before season begins with mysterious injury.
Starting striker Gyasi Zardes suffers preseason training injury, out to start the season after being out four months to end last season with broken foot.
Midfielder and rising prospect Sebastian Lletget suffers season-ending injury only weeks into the season after being called up to USMNT for world cup qualifiers.
Various injuries at various times from designated players like Romain Alesandrini, Giovanni Dos Santos that disrupts rhythm of the team.
Untimely suspensions from starters CB Jelle Van Damme, DP Nigel de Jong, and Ashley Cole put further pressure on Onalfo after slow start.
Primary sub now starter Baggio Husidic suffers season ending injury.
DP Nigel de Jong asks for transfer to Turkey (another DP that doesn't work out).
After establishing an unbeaten run, the combination of Confederations Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup remove starters Zardes and Giovanni to their national teams, forcing Onalfo to go deep into his reserves and sending the Galaxy back into a downward spiral.
CB Jelle Van Damme's wife files for divorce and takes kids back to Europe. Jelle asks for transfer to be closer to his kids (can't really blame him, but underscores the risks of signing a good player from Europe).
New signing Pele van Anholt (RB) goes down to season ending injury that creates further problems at this position.
Starting CB Daniel Steres suffers injury, weakening an already weakened back line.
Both primary goal keepers Rowe and Diop out several weeks with injury.
Additional Notes:
I disabled the first transfer window and the default roster has a few differences than the actual roster Curt Onalfo had to start the season. Nigel de Jong has been replaced by Jonathan dos Santos, which didn't actually happen until mid-season, and the same goes for Pele van Anholt who didn't join the Galaxy until the summer. Robbie Rogers will be out for the season like the real player (who eventually retired because of his injury before the start of the 2018 season ). Also, Michael Ciani was added to the real roster to replace Jelle Van Damme, which may or may not happen in this story.
I think that's it. Okay to post.
Thanks for the patience.
(Have another tournament to attend to this weekend, so story may start slow out of the gate.)
Good luck with this story. LA Galaxy is one of the teams I used the most if playing a MLS team against friends or online. I don't know much about them in real but I'm willing to follow and maybe learn something new
Good luck with this story. LA Galaxy is one of the teams I used the most if playing a MLS team against friends or online. I don't know much about them in real but I'm willing to follow and maybe learn something new
My previous CMS tended to lean towards the goofy side, but you raise a good point. I can throw in the occasional Galaxy or MLS factoid for good measure. I might even learn something myself.
Good luck with this one. I don't know much about MLS, but I hope you do a good job.
MLS is still a relatively young league and it's structure makes it less than popular in Europe, although there are some good reasons why MLS does not have pro/rel. As a American who has played the sport for a number of years and enjoys watching it, it is exciting for me to see the sport growing here in the states (and Canada) on a professional level. As far as doing a good job, I hope so too.
Groundhog Day is a popular tradition celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
Interesting to see the pre-season organization, LA Galaxy can be appointed as one of the favourites of the championship, even more the transfers are key players. I was wondering which team from Brazil was invited (I live here, so it'll be fun to know).
Jonathan Dos Santos is a fantastic player and I guess he'll be the leader on the pitch. Willing to see these first games under the new management. Interesting to see the team facing teams of Argentina and Brazil too.
Interesting to see the pre-season organization, LA Galaxy can be appointed as one of the favourites of the championship, even more the transfers are key players. I was wondering which team from Brazil was invited (I live here, so it'll be fun to know).
Still trying to catch up setting up my story, the teams for the tournament will be listed shortly. Expectations for the Galaxy are to at least make it through the group stage.
Jonathan Dos Santos is a fantastic player and I guess he'll be the leader on the pitch. Willing to see these first games under the new management. Interesting to see the team facing teams of Argentina and Brazil too.
Jonathan dos Santos was a great signing in my opinion, unfortunately he came in during a bad time last season in real life. He has looked real good in the first two games (in real life), and I expect he will be a difference maker in the story as well. Romain Alessandrini is also key, maybe more in both game and real life, just has to stay healthy.
Damn Ashley Cole is still around? He must be at least 50 now.
Ashley Cole has been solid in the back, and was actually one of the few bright spots last season. Thought he would be the logical choice for captain, and as it turns out, the game had already given it to him. My only complaint is that he gets too many foolish yellows (got sent off today IRL, in fact).
Note:
Said I would be slow out of the gate. Never played Manager Mode, so I am just getting acquainted with all the frigging decisions that have to be made. The story should start to move along now.
One question... is there any continental tournament involving MLS teams? A kind of CONCACAF CL?
Just keeping it real with Zlatan, since apparently the Galaxy really do have an interest. I for one would rather my team not overspend on marketing gimmicks and look for players for the long haul.
CONCACAF does have a champions league which MLS participates, but it is not featured in FIFA, unless you have the PC version and download a mod (which I don't). CONCACAF CL is poorly marketed and historically hasn't been the focus for MLS teams, although there seems to be more interest in recent years. MLS and LigaMX are supposed to be collaborating on some inter-league play of some sort to boost both leagues, but I don't have any details.
Great result to kick things off. Equaliser was very quick indeed. Looked like he had a good match.
Belgrano jumped on us to start. Excellent cross by Figueroa and Barbero buried it. Ashley Cole was caught ball watching, but after that, defense picked it up. Boateng scoring both goals was a bit of a surprise, but his speed on the wing causes a lot of problems. He is probably one of if not the fastest player in MLS.
Very good return considering the amount of shots on goal. Can use the last group game now as well to try out something different, maybe tactics or players.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyBSrBqogPY&list=RDOyBSrBqogPY&t=72
Rated E For Everyone.
Comments
The LA Galaxy was founded in 1994 as one of eight charter teams in MLS, which began play in 1996 with ten inaugural teams that have now expanded to 23 teams for the 2018 season (with a goal of reaching 28 teams in five years.) The franchise is one of Major League Soccer's most-decorated clubs, with a record five MLS Cups, four Supporters' Shields, and two Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cups. The club has appeared in a record nine MLS Cups, and won the Western Conference regular season title eight times. However, 2017 was a disaster in the making for the club that earned the MLS Wooden Spoon award for the worst record in the league and the worst in their team's history. What went wrong? Many things; call it a perfet shi* storm of events that led to the firing of Curt Onalfo, the bad luck schleprock that took over the reigns of the LA Galaxy after a successful Bruce Arena left for the US National team (an ill-fated decision in and of itself as it turns out).
Curt Onalfo, a brief history:
In January 27, 2011, Onalfo was named assistant coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy, reuniting with head coach Bruce Arena, with whom he formerly coached for the U.S. National Team and played for at D.C. United in 1998. He was also named head coach of the Galaxy's reserve team the same day. Onalfo continued serving as reserve coach when the reserve team entered the United Soccer League as a full club. Following the departure of Arena to coach the United States national team, Onalfo was promoted to first team head coach for the 2017 season. However, once again, this tenure lasted less than a full season, with Onalfo being fired on July 27, 2017 after a 6-10-4 record (W-L-D).
2017 Stats
*Highlighted section is the last match before Curt Onalfo was fired.
Untimely Events
Jiminy Christmas! Can this guy catch a break?
Tomorrow is a new day...
Additional Notes:
I disabled the first transfer window and the default roster has a few differences than the actual roster Curt Onalfo had to start the season. Nigel de Jong has been replaced by Jonathan dos Santos, which didn't actually happen until mid-season, and the same goes for Pele van Anholt who didn't join the Galaxy until the summer. Robbie Rogers will be out for the season like the real player (who eventually retired because of his injury before the start of the 2018 season
I think that's it. Okay to post.
Thanks for the patience.
(Have another tournament to attend to this weekend, so story may start slow out of the gate.)
or would you prefer:
Groundhog Day is a popular tradition celebrated in the United States and Canada on February 2. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and winter will persist for six more weeks, and if it does not see its shadow because of cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
Note:
Said I would be slow out of the gate. Never played Manager Mode, so I am just getting acquainted with all the frigging decisions that have to be made. The story should start to move along now.
Willing to see the team on the pitch already.
One question... is there any continental tournament involving MLS teams? A kind of CONCACAF CL?
CONCACAF does have a champions league which MLS participates, but it is not featured in FIFA, unless you have the PC version and download a mod (which I don't). CONCACAF CL is poorly marketed and historically hasn't been the focus for MLS teams, although there seems to be more interest in recent years. MLS and LigaMX are supposed to be collaborating on some inter-league play of some sort to boost both leagues, but I don't have any details. (Un)fortunately he doesn't appear to be available when using default lineups, but Curt Onalfo may have some other ideas to boost shirt sales.
North American Allstars - LA Galaxy vs Belgrano
Though I have to say that was a pretty great goal by Barbero.
A little mistake on the goal of Belgrano, but it happens.
Belgrano jumped on us to start. Excellent cross by Figueroa and Barbero buried it. Ashley Cole was caught ball watching, but after that, defense picked it up. Boateng scoring both goals was a bit of a surprise, but his speed on the wing causes a lot of problems. He is probably one of if not the fastest player in MLS.
North American Allstars - Lobos vs LA Galaxy