When the Galaxy opened training for the 2015 season Friday, they knew that it would be the first time since 2006 they’d be without Landon Donovan.

There was also a fleeting moment where they might have been facing a future without the architect of three MLS Cup titles in the past four years.

Ten days after the Galaxy edged New England to capture their fifth MLS Cup, coach Bruce Arena had left knee replacement surgery. At 63, Arena admits the thought of retirement entered his mind.

“Not based on winning a title or not winning a title, you kind of reflect every year,” Arena said. “After the surgery, I thought about it a little but you always think about whether you have the energy to do what you need to do.”

And apparently as long as he can bring his sense of humor to work.

“I need to have something to do. What else do you suggest I do?” he asked. “It’s not going to continue for the rest of my life, that’s for sure, but in the short term, this is what I do.”

So the Galaxy, after only 47 days off between seasons — the price they pay for reaching the championship round — set off to reload for the 2015 MLS season, which will see an influx of two new franchises and some top-flight international names.

The Galaxy won’t see their new Galactico, midfielder Steven Gerrard, until July as the English legend plays out his season at Liverpool.

Until then, the Galaxy will have to build their structure without the versatile Donovan and midfielder Marcelo Sarvas, who was traded to Colorado.

“It’s another obstacle for sure,” veteran defender Todd Dunivant said. “Same thing when David (Beckham) left. People said that was the end of that team and the end of being good essentially, and then two years later we won.

“You can’t replace guys like that, like Landon, but you have to adapt and find ways to make your team better. You have to do that throughout the years and that’s going to be the challenge again.”

While the Galaxy have the core group that fights for a title every season, they’ve not been immune to slow starts. In 2014, they began 3-3-3 and had to chase Seattle until the final game of the season before settling for second place in the overall standings.

“It’s interesting. You can have a fast start like other teams have had and fall short or you can start slow and finish strong like we have,” All-Star defender Omar Gonzalez said. “The key for us is to stay consistent, work out the kinks in the beginning.

“It’s not going to be perfect. We recognize that’s OK. Sure, you don’t want to go into the middle of the season still having these problems like we’ve had in the past. We want to be consistent.”

Camp opened without young stars Bradford Jamieson IV and Oscar Sorto, who are with the U.S. under-20 team. Gyasi Zardes is with the U.S. national team and reigning MLS MVP Robbie Keane is schedule to arrive from Ireland on Monday.

There was a familiar face on the turf at StubHub Center. Forward Edson Buddle, a 14-year MLS veteran who has 100 career goals, could work his way into the mix. In five seasons with the Galaxy, Buddle scored 45 goals before playing the last two seasons with Colorado.