Landon Donovan sat in front of his locker following the loss to Real Salt Lake in the MLS Cup Final in Seattle and was struggling with the disappointment. But he was far from disconsolate.
Donovan only had to think of where the team had been only a year ago to feel optimistic despite suffering his first loss in an MLS Cup in four tries.
"Everything," he said when asked what he was most proud of this season. "There's not a guy in here who didn't give everything to the team this year. The future of this team is very bright."
The fortunes of the Galaxy actually started to take a turn for the better on Aug. 18, 2008, when Bruce Arena was brought in as head coach and general manager. He launched a makeover that netted 16 new players and, most of all, a mentality that had been missing from the franchise since their last Cup championship in 2005.
The Galaxy simply had grown used to losing, but that's no longer the case.
"When you look at the whole body of work it was an incredible year," Todd Dunivant said. "We've really set the bar for ourselves."
The 2009 season didn't exactly start on the most positive of notes when the Galaxy was struggling with a 1-1-9 record through 12 games. Then they had to weather the controversy caused by a new book in which several Galaxy players, most notably Donovan, questioned David Beckham's commitment to the team during a 2008 season that ended with an 8-13-9 record, tied for the worst record in the league.
If anything, that episode appeared to strengthen the Galaxy, which went on to finish 2009 with a 12-6-12 record and the Western Conference championship. They did it with almost a completely new defense and midfield and the inspired play of Donovan, who who had a team-high 12 goals and six assists and went on to win his first MLS Most Valuable Player award.
"This year has been fantastic for our team, and it's always difficult when you get to the end and it doesn't turn out the way you want," Donovan said after signing a four-year contract extension on Dec. 16. "But looking back on March 16 or 17 when I first came back to the team (from Bayern Munich) and what our expectations were, if I would have told you we'd be in the MLS Cup you would have laughed. I think we need to keep that in perspective. We're not satisfied with that."
Arena, understandably, was pleased with what the team accomplished despite falling short in the championship game.
"I'm happy with the progress we made this year," said Arena, who was named MLS Coach of the Year. "Although there was disappointment in the final, I think we have to look at the season in its entirety and really feel good about the fact we've made some progress and exceeded some of the goals we set earlier in the year.
"We had an opportunity to play for a championship. You can't ask for a whole lot more out of your team."
Beckham, who was vilified by fans when he returned from his loan to AC Milan in July and played in 11 games, said he felt almost rejuvenated.
"Since I've been here it's definitely been the most enjoyable time," he said. "This season with players in the lockerroom and the success we had, everything's been right. It couldn't be better. We're obviously disappointed, and it shows how we've moved on as a team and expectations we have for ourselves to reach that point and be disappointed.
"We've got high expectations and hopefully we can go further next year."
For Donovan, it was his first loss in the MLS championship game three victories earlier in his career -- including 2005 with the Galaxy. Beckham, too, had grown accustomed to success when playing for a trophy.
"I don't think I've lost a final for 20 years. It's always difficult, but that's football. It happens, and you have to move forward and try and achieve what we achieved this season next season and just a little bit more," said Beckham. "Bruce made lot of changes at start of season; I'm sure he won't make as many changes at the start of next season. It would be good to keep as many players together; I think we've got a good unity and play well together. I hope the majority of our players stay together."
The Galaxy did lose valuable midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi to Philadelphia Union in the recent expansion draft, but a solid core is in place. It is highlighted by a defense that features goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts (brilliant in his first MLS season), Rookie of the Year Omar Gonzalez at center back and, of course, Donovan and Beckham.
Arena made wholesale changes entering the 2009 season, but don't expect anything near that kind of revamping going into 2010 -- although he did say he will continue to try and "improve the roster."
"I think the reality of MLS," veteran midfielder Chris Klein said, "is there are going to be changes because of the way our league is structured. I think this group is a good group and can contend for another title next year."
Donovan's re-signing meant he'll with the club through 2013 -- and also forestalled rumors of an overseas move (though a short-term loan for the first three months of the year is still a possibility). Arena is thrilled at the prospects of continued success.
"We did a great job of building a team," he said. "We have a way of playing, we have an attitude and mentality that we're going to be successful. There are no worries about the stability of this team or this franchise anymore."
Added Dunivant: "The one thing that can be good going into next year is continuity and having a core, a nucleus and an identity. This year we were starting from scratch and building from the bottom. We've really put this team back to where it belongs."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
