Just when I thought it was going to be a quiet week after Landon Donovan announced his retirement, a Bash Brother gets traded to the Galaxy. In another initially puzzling trade, the LA Galaxy have sent allocation money to the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for 32-year-old forward, Alan Gordon.
Overall, Alan Gordon’s move brings about mixed emotions for fans of the only MLS teams he’s spent more than a half season with. He is a former SuperDraft pick for the Galaxy and was a decent young forward for several years. He had the honor of making way for David Beckham in Beck’s LA Galaxy debut. While never a fan favorite, Gordon showed a warrior’s mentality and grit.
Gordon and Steven Lenhart became known as ‘The Bash Brothers’ early on in their time together in San Jose. ‘Gordo’ and ‘Lenny’ were at the center of the Quakes’ ethos under Frank Yallop. The two were instrumental in the Quakes’ 2012 Supporters’ Shield and the team moniker ‘Goonies’ that has become the stuff of legend in MLS. Gordon is also partially responsible for one of the greatest Galaxy meltdown/Goonie Time moments in California Clasico history.
I’m asking myself ‘which fan base should be more angry about this move?’ I’ve reasoned out that it should be San Jose. Gordon has no folk hero moments from when he was with the Galaxy. He was a regular contributor to Goonie Magic and had 13 goals in the 2012 SS season. Gordon has more sentimental value to Quakes fans. Even if it was time, it’s tough to see him go. Without knowing how much money San Jose got, it’s hard to know for sure though. But such is life in MLS.
So, what does this mean for both teams?
For San Jose, this was obvious. With Yannick Djalo having a successful loan spell, the signing of DP Perez Garcia, and Chris Wondolowski having good combination play with both, the Quakes have changed styles. The Route 1 ugly soccer can still be tool in their tool box, but it is no longer their go to. With that, there’s no longer a benefit to having two mature physical #9 players on the roster. Previously, Lenny and Gordon complimented each other. Now one of them was a redundant use of roster spot. Lenhart is five years younger, has gotten more playing time of late (perhaps he’s outperforming Gordon in training), and has been more productive. Alan Gordon has yet to score a goal this year. Ergo, Gordon was more expendable.
San Jose gets some money out of it and free up a roster spot. Gordon’s departure has minimal effect on their chances to make the playoffs this year. Once Lenhart returns from his knee injury, Gordon might not even be on the bench.
For the LA Galaxy, they get a cheap wily veteran. They get another bench option at the forward position since the Rob Friend experiment is clearly a bust and the first two offensive subs Bruce Arena has right now are youngsters Chandler Hoffman and Bradford Jamison IV. Gordon brings experience and physicality. He’s a 100% team player. He knows the league. He’s another weapon that can help the Galaxy’s set pieces, which just came back from the dead last week, ironically against San Jose. As a true #9, Gordon can act as backup to Zardes.
He’s proven throughout his career (including with the Galaxy), that he can be an productive substitute striker. That’s why I like this move the most. Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane, and Donovan can score. A fourth option, specifically a bench option was missing. Gordon doesn’t need to score a lot. He just needs to fill in the gaps the other three leave. At 32, he also still has gas in the tank to start occasionally, which could be needed next year with Donovan retiring.
This move could be a needed breath of fresh air to get him out of his funk. Bruce Arena has a knack for bringing in an experienced veteran, having them fill a hole for the Galaxy, and ultimately thriving. That Dan Gargan guy couldn’t get on the field for San Jose last year. He’s doing pretty well last I checked.
Welcome home Gordo. You’re no longer a Goonie. You’re Drax the Destroyer.
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