Editor’s Note: Davis Rothman is our youngest writer at just 15. He’s a lifelong fan of the LA Galaxy and follows soccer from all around the world. In today’s editorial, he takes a look at the Galaxy’s biggest needs and tries to find the types of players that the Galaxy could target in the offseason. It’s a great exercise going into a rather unpredictable offseason. We hope you enjoy — Josh Guesman

Rebuilding the LA Galaxy: What is On Their Grocery List?

Over the course of this season, the LA Galaxy have endured countless difficulties through injuries, lack of depth and veteran leadership and more issues almost no one could have expected.

This season has been perceived as a rebuilding one, but the focus was switched after the firing of head coach Curt Onalfo and the hiring of Sigi Schmid.

The front office was confident the roster it had built would perform up to expectations. However, team officials had no clue they had so many holes to fill.

Looking at it now, the front office should seriously look into many positions and “player types” to fill the 2018 roster, starting from the backline and continuing to the bench.

The first area to look at is goalkeeper. Brian Rowe, Jon Kempin, and Clement Diop have been rotating in the starting spot throughout this year, but none have been able to cement the role long enough to retain it.

An ideal candidate would be someone who is relatively young, in his late 20’s or early 30’s, but old enough that he has had a number of years of experience. Possibilities include Arsenal’s David Ospina, Manchester United’s Sergio Romero or, maybe even in a year or two, Manchester City’s Claudio Bravo.

Next is the backline. Michael Ciani is on only an 18-month contract, so the Galaxy should start thinking about his replacement when his deal ends next year. Another veteran central defender will be keen in order to keep younger players like Dan Steres and Dave Romney in order.

Ashley Cole has, by far, been one of the best players not only this season but one of the best players to ever play for the Galaxy. He might not sign another deal, but if he does he should be used to the fullest. If he does not stay, the Galaxy should either look at someone like Romney or go for a veteran at the position.

Right back has been cursed for what feels like all season. Everyone who has manned the position has been hurt. But if Pele Van Anholt heals in time, keep him as a starter and have some veteran depth on the bench. Someone else to keep is Bradley Diallo, who has massive potential and can be deployed in any defensive position.

The midfield is crowded, to say the least, except the only problem is what we saw out of our two big signings for the amount of money we spent for them. Now looking back, $2 million was a bit pricey for Joao Pedro. Jermaine Jones has been looking better under Schmid, but do you really want to rely on a 36-year-old to be your starter, considering his red cards and other suspensions?

For our midfield, I would go after someone like Nigel de Jong or Bastian Schweinsteiger to pair alongside Jonathan Dos Santos. Even getting Marcelo Sarvas back for a year would help organize the midfield a little bit more. The kind of player the front office should look for is someone who is physical enough that he’s always a nightmare for opponents.

And lastly, probably the most important position the front office was blinded from by pursuing Jonathan dos Santos is a striker. Gyasi Zardes, like Giovani dos Santos, isn’t a true No. 9. He can play there, but cannot be the lone striker. He has to have a strike partner (that cannot be his brother Giovani because they don’t work well together), someone like Bradford Jamieson IV, Robbie Keane or Landon Donovan so he can flourish.

With any Targeted Allocation Money, the front office should buy down Romain Alessandrini’s contract to allow a designated player spot to open up. If they can’t the Galaxy should take all of their TAM money and invest it in a striker.

The Galaxy also needs veteran players on the bench. They need players such as Alan Gordon, A.J. DeLaGarza or Mike Magee, all of whom can be effective in a relief role.

Most of all, they need to make sure they get the right players who can easily jell with one another.

Remember, this is my opinion of what the front office should do for next season. If you have any opinions, leave them down below in the comments, and inform me of your thoughts. I do read them.

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