L.A. Soccer News columnist Andrea Canales speaks with L.A. Galaxy’s injury-plagued midfielder Kyle Martino, who has been out for the better part of two seasons with hip injuries. Last May, the 2002 MLS Rookie of the Year was traded from the Columbus Crew, where he played for five seasons, to the Galaxy, where injuries limited him to just nine appearances. Martino was out of contract with MLS at the end of the year, so he jumped on the opportunity to pursue his dream of playing overseas.
The expedition was to no avail, however, as Martino’s failure to secure a contract led him back to Los Angeles, where he tells Canales he should have remained all along. “It wasn’t the most ideal time to give it a shot, but at least I went after it,” Martino said of his trial in Europe, which had no bearing on his standing with his current club.
The Galaxy has now renewed the player’s contract, and he now looks forward to lining up alongside David Beckham and Landon Donovan next season. “When I decided that the Galaxy was the home for me and wanted to come back, they were really helpful and really great with accepting me back here,” Martino said, adding that finally, after two surgeries it feels like the injuries are behind him.