Cristman, Leonardo poised for big year

After performance relatively well in their endurance and strength tests yesterday, the Los Angeles Galaxy's Adam Cristman and Leonardo feel that they are ready for a big year in 2011.

“It’s been a rough two years,” said Cristman, acquired two weeks ago in a trade with D.C. United. “My first year and a half in the league were great. I was making great strides in my professional career and I’ve hit a skid.

“For me, [the strength and endurance test results] was positive reinforcement for all the work I’ve put in the last few weeks. I’m happy to put all of that behind me and it’s nice to be here and have a fresh start.”

“I think the first day was good,” Leonardo added. “I’m going to take it day to day, little by little, but I’m going to get better.

“It was exciting to see the guys, I’m happy to be back here. It’s a new year, a lot of new people as well and we want to win titles. That will take time and a lot of hard work. But it all starts today.”

MLSSoccer.com places Galaxy #1 in Power Rankings

Well, isn't this flattering. The editors at MLSSoccer.com (a.k.a. Simon Borg and Co.) placed Bruce Arena's Galaxy at the top of the preseason power rankings on the site.

Bleacher Report and The View from Victoria Street placed the Galaxy third in the standings.

At least they were placed in the top three by consensus. The full power rankings can be seen here.

Here comes Curt Onalfo

Curt Onalfo was named assistant coach and reserve team coach on Thursday.

Onalfo played for current Galaxy general manager and head coach Bruce Arena with D.C. United in 1998 and then served as his assistant coach with the U.S. National Team for four years, including at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

“I am very excited to be reunited with Bruce and am looking forward to working alongside him and the rest of the coaching staff here with the Galaxy,” Onalfo said. “I began my MLS career with the Galaxy in 1996 and my ambition remains the same from then, to work each and every day in order to help this club win championships.”

Onalfo spent two-and-a-half seasons as the Kansas City head coach, leading the team to the postseason twice. He had a 27-29-22 record in his time with Kansas City before leaving the club in August 2009. In December 2009, he was named as D.C. United’s head coach and held that position for eight months before leaving the club in August.

Onalfo joins Arena, as well as associate head coach Dave Sarachan, player/assistant coach Gregg Berhalter and goalkeeper coach Ian Feuer on the Galaxy coaching staff.

Preseason Roster and Schedule

This is the Los Angeles Galaxy's 2011 preseason roster and schedule.

LA Galaxy Preseason Roster – as of January 25, 2011

GOALKEEPERS (3) – Brian Perk, Donovan Ricketts, Josh Saunders

DEFENDERS (8) – Gregg Berhalter, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Frankie Hejduk, Leonardo, Ryan Thomas

MIDFIELDERS (11) – David Beckham, Chris Birchall, Paolo Cardozo, Landon Donovan, Hector Jimenez, Bryan Jordan, Juninho, Daniel Keat, Jovan Kirovski, Dustin McCarty, Michael Stephens

FORWARDS (4) – Juan Pablo Angel, Chad Barrett, Adam Cristman, Mike Magee

HEAD COACH – Bruce Arena

LA Galaxy Preseason Schedule – as of January 25, 2011

January 24-February 12               Training at The Home Depot Center

February 8                                 Preseason game vs. Portland Timbers

February 10                               Preseason game vs. San Jose Earthquakes

February 13                               Depart for Arizona

February 14-22                          Training in Arizona

February 16                               Preseason game vs. Colorado Rapids

February 20                               Preseason game vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

February 22                               Preseason game vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

February 23                               Return to Los Angeles

February 24-March 14                 Training at The Home Depot Center

March 15                                  LA Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC – MLS First Kick

Two new faces at preseason camp

In addition to the roster that you see here, two new additions have been brought in to the club: the Youth Academy's very own Jack McBean and Argentinean Miguel Lopez.

“It’s great to get going again,” Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. “I think we’ve done a good job in the offseason trying to improve our team. Hopefully we’ll see that during the season. It’s never easy."

McBean will join the first team following the 2011 CONCACAF U-17 Championships in Montego Bay, Jamaica, concludes.

"[McBean is] a 16-year old [striker], strong, good with his back to the goal, athletically good,” Arena said. “He’s that at 16. We don’t get any bonus points for playing 16-, 17-, 18-year-old players. He’s now with the men. We’re going to see how that adds up in our environment.”

Lopez is a teammate of SuperDraft selection Paolo Cardozo from their days with Quilmes AC.

“[Lopez is] a player on the ball that’s very eager to go at players one-on-one,” Arena said. “He’s dynamic in that sense and it’s something I think we need. It’s a player that can penetrate with the ball and go at players. That’s going to be the dimension he offers our team.”

A man with California Cool

Frankie Hejduk continues to soak up the opportunity given to him in Major League Soccer, and now as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy, he reaps the payoff.

“I have a big smile on my face,” he said Wednesday with the Galaxy in the first week of preseason training. “The sun is shining and the weather is sweet.”

Frankie’s a good player,” Arena said. “At his age, he’s if not our fittest player he’s one of our top two or three. He gives us a lot of experience. He can play anywhere in the back, as well as wide midfield. With the addition of Frankie he certainly helps us.”

“For me, it’s an ideal situation,” Hejduk said on playing for the G's. “To come back and end my career where it started, getting back to the roots and everything is really cool. My friends and family getting to see me play is awesome.

“What I’m looking forward to with this team obviously is nothing less than a championship. I didn’t come here to not win a championship. This club has some big-time tradition and I want to be a part of that.”

Hejduk's mercenary mentality showed when asked of the role he will play.

“Whether that’s a reserve role or coming off the bench or helping out wherever I can. I’m here for the team. Wherever Bruce wants to put me I’m all for it. The main thing is to be a veteran, help all the young guys out and be positive. Be a good locker room guy and push these guys and try to win a championship.

“I love Columbus and all. I loved my time there … it was incredible, to be honest. The next stage is here. Things happen, that’s MLS. Now I’m concentrating on the club that wants me here and to be a part of a championship team."

Hejduk, a native of La Mesa, CA, is hopeful that there is a little bit more left in the tank.

“[I hope to keep playing ] as long as I’m competitive and I feel like my legs are still under me and I don’t feel I’m hurting the team I’m going to play as long as I can. 

"I love the sport, I’ve been doing it for a number of years now. I still feel competitive, I still feel healthy, I’m still fit, still running and I’m looking forward to challenging the guys. It’s going to be a fun year.”

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