Super-sub Alan Gordon is giving the Galaxy a going-away presence
Alan Gordon has survived 13 seasons of professional soccer, and he’s approached most of them the same way he’s played this one.
“I’ve taken this year as my last,” the Galaxy forward said. “That’s always been the plan. One year at a time. So as of right now, this is my last year.”
Gordon has pondered retirement before, but this fall several factors have conspired to push him a little closer to making that a reality.
Gordon turns 35 next month, for example, and his contract -- which includes a $5,000 pay cut, down to $170,000 this year -- ends when the season does. Also, Galaxy officials, who last winter needed a month to decide if they wanted Gordon, even at a discounted price, will almost certainly leave him unprotected in December’s MLS expansion draft.
But if this really is Gordon’s final season, he’s doing his best to make it worth remembering. After spending most of his season coming off the bench, he’s taken advantage of injuries to Robbie Keane and Giovani dos Santos to start four of the Galaxy’s last five games. And he made those starts count by scoring two goals,helping the team extend its unbeaten streak to six games heading into Sunday’s StubHub Center matinee with the Seattle Sounders (1 p.m., ESPN, ESPN Deportes).
With Keane back from a groin injury and Dos Santos expected to play after sitting out last weekend with muscle tightness, Gordon could be back on the bench Sunday, when the Galaxy need only a win over Seattle to clinch a playoff berth for a league-best eighth consecutive season.
Diminished playing time may be another indicator that the end is near for Gordon, who is on pace for his fewest minutes since 2005, his second year in the league. His six starts and two goals are also his lowest totals since 2005.
But there are other numbers -- 11, 51 and 241 primarily -- that put his career in proper perspective. The 11 is the number of consecutive seasons in which Gordon has scored, giving him 51 MLS goals overall. And the 241 is the number of MLS appearances he has made; before Landon Donovan came out of retirement two weeks ago, Mike Magee and Jeff Larentowicz were the only players on the Galaxy roster to have played in more games.
“Numbers I never thought I would get to,” Gordon said last week. “When I first started …I was trying to get one minute and one goal. So I’m thankful for every game I’ve played and every goal I’ve scored. It’s a true blessing.”
Despite his changing roles, Gordon has maintained his ability to be a game-changing force — especially given the makeup of the Galaxy roster. With the shorter Keane and Dos Santos on the field, the team plays with the ball at their feet. But when the 6-foot-1 Gordon -- one of the league’s more physical forwards and one its best players in the air -- comes on, the equation changes. And that’s true whether he’s brought on to provide a spark -- as he was last year, when each of his five goals either won the game or earned the Galaxy a draw -- or to protect a lead by playing defense, as he’s done this season.
“He was the super sub the last couple of years. And he plays that role to perfection,” said defender A.J. DeLaGarza, who has played with or against Gordon for eight years. “Credit him for being in it mentally each and every game.
“He is something that we’ve lacked. He’s just physical and demanding.”
Which is why DeLaGarza murmurs in protest when he overhears Gordon talk about his uncertain future.
“I’m not saying I’m retiring,” Gordon reassures him with a laugh. “But I’m playing for this year. Nothing’s guaranteed next year.”
Twitter: @kbaxter11
