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The 2013 preseason LA Galaxy depth chart's goal was to shake who was likely to make the roster and who was getting cut. Now that things have kicked off, we can delve into how deep the Galaxy are at each position Bruce Arena uses in his 4-4-2. Positional goodness amounts this morning!
Goalkeeper
1. Carlo Cudicini, 2. Brian Rowe, 3. Brian Perk (inj.)
Cudicini has been a vocal leader in the back, for the most part ensuring the back line has proper marking and not having to make too many saves. The two goals he's let in were both preventable, and were a result of lapses all around. Suggestion for improvement would be not dropping the ball late in matches. Brian Perk underwent sports hernia surgery, drops down a notch on the positional depth chart as a result.
Center Back
1. Omar Gonzalez (int. duty) 2. A.J. DeLaGarza, 3. Leonardo, 4.Tommy Meyer, 5. Kofi Opare
Bruce Arena still has some adjusting to do at the center back position. He started with Leonardo on the bench to get Colin Clark back in the mix on Sunday, and then came to the realization that Clark was completely ineffective. Leonardo came in pushing A.J. DeLaGarza and the Galaxy looked much better. Tommy Meyer returns from injury and was available for selection on Sunday. With Gonzalez on international duty, it's possible Tommy Meyer could be in the mix
Right Back
1. Sean Franklin, 2. A.J. DeLaGarza, 3. Oscar Sorto
Without reserve league matches, it's tough to know where Sorto stands on the depth chart at the moment. It still stands that Franklin is essentially backed up by A.J. DeLaGarza, even though both are guaranteed starters at the moment.
Left Back
1. Todd Dunivant, 2. Bryan Gaul (inj.)
So here's a sticky wicket. Gaul was unavailable for selection against Chivas with a left high ankle sprain. Dunivant did come out in the match, but for Michael Stephens. The Galaxy then went to a three man back line. If Gaul isn't available again this weekend, Oscar Sorto will likely end up on the bench.
Center Midfield
1. Juninho, 2. Marcelo Sarvas, 3. Rafael Garcia, 4. Hector Jimenez, 5. Kenny Walker (inj.)
Walker remains on the injury list, Garcia and Jimenez remain the options for central midfield replacements. Against Chivas USA Juninho and Sarvas went the full 90, as they have in most of the Galaxy's appearances this weekend.
Right Wide Midfielder
1. Mike Magee, 2. Sean Franklin, 3. Hector Jimenez
Magee started for the Galaxy at wide right for the past two matches, it appears the return of Jose Villarreal has pushed Magee back to the midfield. When Magee took a nasty cleat to the leg against Chivas USA, Jimenez and Stephens warmed up. When Clark was removed at halftime, Franklin stepped up to right wide and Magee switched over to left wide midfielder.
Left Wide Midfielder
1. Colin Clark, 2. Michael Stephens, 3. Greg Cochrane, 4. Ghost of Landon Donovan
Colin Clark returned to the Galaxy lineup against Chivas USA and didn't make it past halftime. Stephens eventually got into the match working on the left side pushing Mike Magee up further in the attack. It was all a bit of a jumble after the 80th minute when Arena grew tired of the pace Chivas was dictating. Landon Donovan is slated to return the last week of March, and it still looks like Clark's starting spot is the most tenuous at the moment.
Forward
1. Robbie Keane (int. duty), 2. Jose Villarreal, 3. Jack McBean, 4. Charlie Rugg, 5. Chandler Hoffman 6. Gyasi Zardes (inj.)
Jose Villarreal returned with a vengeance, keeping the momentum he gained in the U-20 tournament and scoring in his first appearance with the team. His return has made it clear than Magee, despite his attractive hat trick, was simply keeping the position warm for Villarreal. While Magee could still have more starts up top, especially this week with Keane on international duty, it doesn't seem pertinent to include him on the forward list anymore, nor the ghost of Landon Donovan. It would be very interesting if Arena let the two homegrown forwards start together up top against Colorado, but likely Arena will throw Magee up for the experience factor.