Gordon's success builds confidence
Teenager Quavas Kirk has really started to evolve as a professional. Josh Gardner has emerged as an occasional starter and early option off the bench for the Galaxy. As a rookie, Nathan Sturgis has shown he can step in on the backline or in midfield when called upon, and fill in well in either role.
Add Alan Gordon to that list. The 6-foot-3 forward first came to the Galaxy at the tail end of the 2004 season after leading the A-League in scoring with the Portland Timbers. Gordon only appeared in three games that season for the Galaxy, logging 142 minutes.
Preseason in 2005 held much promise for the tall forward, but a groin injury that dated back to his college days at Oregon State slowed his progress. By the time Gordon recovered, Herculez Gomez had already emerged as the Galaxy's scoring compliment to Landon Donovan and again minutes were limited.
Gordon again battled injuries early in 2006, but when healthy found himself in an uncomfortable position. Steve Sampson was the head coach, and when Gordon did get on the field, the then-Galaxy boss was asking him to run at defenders, rather than be the target striker his frame lends itself to.
Enter Yallop. It wasn't an immediate turnaround for Gordon, who still found himself on the bench through the middle part of the season. In fact, Gordon didn't score his first goal of the season until a U.S. Open Cup match against amateur side Roma FC. After that game, Gordon said he was going to be loaned out to Portland.
"The reason I wanted Alan to go to Portland was to get games," said Yallop about the midseason move. "It was always under the notion that at any time I could pull him back. It wasn't punishment."
Yallop got the notion after just one game. Gordon returned to Los Angeles almost immediately after being loaned and responded. He has scored five goals in all competitions thus far this season, and is riding a confidence high.
"(Scoring) really does a lot for my confidence," said Gordon. "I feel the last couple of games I've slowly been getting comfortable playing with the first team and next to Landon (Donovan)."
Gordon's success hasn't gone to his head. He knows who the real focal point of the attack is in L.A. and is willing to do the small things so Donovan can feature in games.
"My main focus is to set up Landon. That's why I'm out there, to hold the ball up," said Gordon. "Hopefully we can string some plays to get Landon in behind. That's my first focus."
Gordon did just that on Saturday in the Galaxy's only goal of the game. Gordon tracked back into midfield to find the ball, turned and beat a defender, then played a picture perfect ball to Donovan who was streaking down the center channel.
Gordon plays a similar role to Brian Ching or Brian McBride, who played with Donovan with the San Jose Earthquakes and the U.S. national team respectfully. While nobody would put Gordon in that class of player, he does clear up space for Donovan to work his magic.
Gordon appears to have established himself as a target striker in the Galaxy's starting 11. According to Yallop, circumstance gave Gordon his opportunity, and he grabbed it and ran with it.
"We had a situation where we could get (Gordon) into the squad and get him some playing time," said Yallop. "He's the one who's taken it on from there. It's all about the player."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
