The Los Angeles Galaxy might be short of wins this season, with only two in 13 games, but they don't lack in energy.
They can attribute much of that to Bryan Jordan, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound sparkplug in his second season with the club who does front flips after scoring goals and is known for his spirited play, something the Galaxy figure to need more of when they take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Jordan was at his best this season in the first meeting between the teams on April 18, when he came off the bench as a second-half substitute and scored the tying goal in the 76th minute of what turned out to be a 1-1 draw. There haven't been many other highlights for the unassuming Jordan, much to his chagrin, but he remains hopeful that will change.
Saturday in San Jose wouldn't be a bad place for that to happen, he admitted.
"I haven't done much since that game," Jordan said. "I'm looking forward to another opportunity to get one in. I'll make that my higher point this season."
Jordan, who has played in 10 games this season and has one start (he played the full 90 minutes against Columbus on May 17), has had an impact since he joined the club last March after a stint with the USL's Portland Timbers. He played in eight games last season, with four starts, and had a goal and an assist.
He made his first start of 2009 in a U.S. Open Cup play-in game against Colorado and converted his penalty kick in an eventual loss. He then scored his first -- and only -- MLS goal of the season 10 days later in San Jose.
Jordan said he hasn't watched many replays of that game but figures he will this week as the team continues preparations. He did, however, admit this season has been a little disappointing in terms of playing time, but he has gotten used to his role as a valuable substitute.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said he has been impressed with the second-year player.
"He's done well, and we expect him to grow a lot as a player over the next couple of years," said Arena, who also has used Jordan, normally an attacking player, for defensive purposes. "It's difficult coming off the bench; you need to have the right kind of mind-set for that kind of role, and B.J. certainly has that.
"He's a very determined young man, he accepts the role we give him and he tries to get it done to the best of his ability."
Jordan said the challenge of staying ready is more mental than physical.
"I think you learn how to do it with time," he said. "You learn how to stay focused and be ready for when they call on you.
"I don't think you can be too eager ... I don't think that's me. I couldn't be calm about trying to help out. When I come out on the field, I'm supposed to bring energy, and that's what I do. Obviously you want to stay calm and composed in certain opportunities to put your chances away, but I'm amped up every time I get a chance to play.
"When they call on me, I'm ready."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
