Galaxy Camp update: JPA speaks & more
I headed out to the first media availability of the preseason for new Galaxy signing Pablo Angel today in Carson.
Reporter Phil Collin will have more in Wednesday's newspaper, by the way.
JPA had the usual predictable things to say (happy to be here, blah, blah), but it's clear that Coach Bruce Arena is the main reason he's with the Galaxy:
"He was the reason I am in MLS and I'm happy to be reunited with him," Angel said, adding that the franchise is considered the best in the league. "So, I'm happy to be here with a coach I know."
Landon Donovan sounded similarly happy to have a soccer savvy player join the club:
"You can always tell early on if a player understands the game or not - and he does."
Incidentally, Donovan said that while this Galaxy team arguably has the potential to be the best ever, it could also be the strongest, deepest team in the history of MLS.
Quite a statement from someone not given to hyperbole.
And LD had the quote of the day, too, referring to perhaps the longest offseason of his pro career with no loan deals in England or USMNT camps:
"It almost feels like you're starting from scratch - like you've never kicked a ball before."
And let's hope that was a little hyperbole.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
JPA speaks.
The world yawns.