FanSided MLS
·21 de dezembro de 2024
FanSided MLS
·21 de dezembro de 2024
The 2024 MLS Cup Champions are already in full swing as they made a splash offensively in Friday evenings SuperDraft. Three players were selected as the Los Angeles Galaxy put a focus on the offense.
In 2024, the LA Galaxy scored 69 goals in the regular season. They were the highest scoring offense in the Western Conference. Their ability to find the back of the net was amplified in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Galaxy set a new record for most team goals in any one postseason (18). Four of which came from the now-injured Riqui Puig.
The six-time MLS Cup Champions made an aggressive roster move on Thursday when they sent the Finals MVP Gaston Brugman to Nashville SC. The trade sends midfielder Sean Davis, who plays the same position as Brugman, to the Galaxy.
After three rounds of the MLS SuperDraft, the Los Angeles Galaxy walked away with another midfielder and a pair of forwards. These rookies could join the likes of Dejan Joveljic, Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil and others. They could also potentially develop on the LA Galaxy II roster.
Here is a look at the selections taken by the LA Galaxy on Friday.
With the 20th overall pick of the SuperDraft, General Manager Will Kuntz and company made Bucknor their first-round selection. The University of Michigan Wolverine is an athletic and versatile player.
The Weston, Florida native also has played on the defensive line, much like Julian Aude. This gives Head Coach Greg Vanney options and further increases the depth on his roster.
During his senior year, Bucknor scored seven times and recorded one assist. He also started in 18 of the 20 games he played in this season. Bucknor scored twice and had four assists in his three prior seasons combined.
In 2023, as a junior, he made the Big Ten All-Tournament Team and the Academic All-Big Ten, too. Bucknor will turn 23 on St. Patrick's Day in 2025.
With the injury to Puig and aging members of the LA Galaxy on defense such as Miki Yamane and Maya Yoshida, Bucknor was a sound selection this winter.
Forty picks later, the Los Angeles Galaxy selected the forward and graduate student from Hofstra University. At 6'0'' and 175 pounds, the product of Bristol, Connecticut started all 21 games for Hofstra.
With nine goals and five assists in his final year playing for Hofstra, Woznicki lead the team with 23 total points. Arguably, his best game was on August 29 against Providence when he scored two goals in the 4-1, victory.
To open up the 2024 season, Woznicki scored five goals in his first six games. He is also a very disciplined player as he only was issued one yellow card all year. That game in his second game of the season.
Woznicki may eventually compliment the scoring abilities of Joveljic, Pecard, and Paintsil. With a full season of Reus on the team and the addition of Davis, this rookie could show his scoring abilities off in the near future.
With the 60th overall selection, the Los Angeles Galaxy found another potential bright star to bring to Carson, California. He may start the season with the LA Galaxy II for a year or two before being called up.
This player may sound familiar to Orange County, California as the Los Angeles Galaxy took this attacker with the 90th overall pick on Friday evening.
Sullivan comes from the MLS Next Pro Side with LAFC. The 22-year-old is not the only former member of the Galaxy's cross-town rival. Starting goalie John McCarthy also played for the LAFC.
During the MLS Next Pro Season in 2024, Sullivan scored three times and tallied three assist in 14 appearances. He was a part of their Starting XI and was on the field for at least 90% of the time.
Much like Woznicki, the Galaxy's third-round selection is also a disciplined player. The youngster only racked up one yellow card during the year while on the field.
Woznicki played collegiate soccer for California State University in San Bernardino. On an already deep roster, it may be hard for him to break through the depth charts and take the field for the LA Galaxy.
However, if given the opportunity, Woznicki could be another scoring threat in Vanney's 4-3-3- formation that saw the franchise win a record sixth MLS Cup Finals.