If you take David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Carlos Ruiz out of the picture, the Los Angeles Galaxy’s roster looks pretty threadbare, says ESPN’s Steve Davis. Aside from the marquee trio, there are maybe three or four guys you could call genuine professionals. “The remainder of the roster is a selection of MLS day laborers,” Davis says, noting that even the most hardcore MLS fans will be unable to recognize at least a half a dozen names on the Galaxy’s opening day roster.
Why? Because Beckham, Donovan, and Ruiz account for half of the Galaxy’s salary cap, leaving little over $1 million to fill an entire squad. Following the Galaxy’s 0-0 draw with FC Dallas on Saturday, Davis says, “it’s clear that Beckham, Donovan and Ruiz must be miracle workers every night out, else this side will go nowhere. The Galaxy’s trio of difference-makers — we’ll call them a Galacticos starter kit — will have to be absolutely spot-on marvelous for [Coach] Gullit’s side. They probably will be,” he adds. “And yet it may not be enough.”
Ouch. Meanwhile, what can Gullit and co. do? Gullit pleaded for patience following Saturday’s dour draw. “It’s OK to play with youngsters. But you have to have patience,” he said, adding that players like Beckham and Donovan need to guide the younger players along. “But was David Beckham, the international sporting brand, the global icon, really brought here to tutor up-and-comers?” Davis asks. He may not mind, but the fans might, especially if L.A. fails to make the playoffs again.