The offseason has been a busy one for Brian Dunseth, to say the least. After spending last year with expansion Real Salt Lake, the veteran defender was traded away just after the close of the campaign to Chivas USA, last year's other expansion team.
However, Dunseth's tenure with Chivas USA was short-lived, when on Monday he again moved clubs. This time, though, Dunseth doesn't have to move cities -- in fact, all he had to do was move about 200 yards, from one practice field to another at The Home Depot Center, after he was acquired by the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for their third round pick in next season's supplemental draft.
Dunseth couldn't be any more excited. He grew up in Southern California, attended Cal State Fullerton, and still remembers attending Galaxy games before a professional career was even an option.
"I left Fullerton to go with the (U.S.) U-20s, and that's when MLS started, in '96," Dunseth said. "I was in the Rose Bowl watching Mauricio Cienfuegos, Danny Calichman and Robin Fraser, and I just wanted to be a part of that."
In fact, Dunseth's first-ever MLS game was against the Galaxy in the Rose Bowl. He admits that while sitting on the bench for the New England Revolution that game, he couldn't help but wonder what it was like to be on the other bench.
Now Dunseth is with the Galaxy, and brings a level of professionalism and experience that should serve the Galaxy well. The Galaxy back four is pretty well set with all four starters from last season's championship squad back. Dunseth doesn't have any illusions of supplanting any of the starters, but should expect to see plenty of minutes this season regardless, considering the Galaxy's heavy slate of games on a number of competitive fronts.
"Dunny comes in with a lot of experience. For starters he'll help bring other guys along in training," said Chris Albright, the starting right back last season. "He brings a certain level of professionalism that's invaluable for our younger guys. At the same time he's going to push the guys in the starting positions."
What Dunseth brings is an instant sense of calm and continuity to the Galaxy's depth at defense. Prior to his arrival, head coach Steve Sampson's top three options off the bench at defense were two rookies and a second-year man with little first team experience. Now Sampson has a solid option to go to in defense should the need arise.
"He brings great leadership. He's a player with a lot of experience," said Sampson. "We're quite happy to have him. What I like the most about him is his maturity and his ability to communicate at the back."
The soccer part of the transition should come easy for Dunseth. Realizing that he'll be donning the jersey of the team he supported as a teenager, well, that might take a little longer.
"It's hard to even put into words. I've been close to coming here a few times and it seemed like something always happened, but I'm honored," he said. "I can't even put into words how excited I am to be a part of this organization."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
