Galaxy’s Harden steps in nicely
There were raised eyebrows around the Galaxy in December when defender Ugo Ihemelu was traded to the Colorado Rapids.
Now, no one in Major League Soccer questions the move.
The reason? Ty Harden, a rookie from Junction City, Ore., and the University of Washington. He has not only started every game this season but has played every minute.
“Everything’s a bit of a gamble, because you never know,” Galaxy Coach Frank Yallop said Friday. “But Ty has taken everything on board, he hasn’t been fazed by anything, and he’s playing with the full confidence that he belongs in this league.”
Taken in the second round of January’s MLS draft, Harden, a four-year starter for the Huskies, has made a smooth transition from college to the professional ranks.
Having a couple of Galaxy veterans on either side of him, U.S. national team right back Chris Albright and Jamaican international center back Tyrone Marshall, has helped. Both are providing what amounts to on-the-job training for the youngster in the Galaxy’s four-man back line.
“He’s a pretty level-headed guy,” Marshall said. “He listens to instructions, he listens to the guys around him. I think that’s the most important thing, being a young player, if you’re open-minded and willing to learn and take your bumps and bruises and move on with things.
“I think he’s done a good job with that so far. He hasn’t really said much, but eventually he’s going to start talking. As a rookie, you’re kind of timid a little bit, but he’s getting in there, he’s mixing it up well with the big boys.”
Harden has had quite an initiation. In his first five games, he has gone up against such imposing forwards as Houston’s Brian Ching, Dallas’ Carlos Ruiz and Kenny Cooper, Chivas USA’s Ante Razov and New York’s Jozy Altidore.
And he has held his own.
“He’s been impressive,” Albright said. “He’s a lot faster than he looks. He’s poised. He doesn’t get rattled. He’s a really good man-marker and he’s tough.”
Harden says Marshall and Albright have been invaluable.
“Their experience is rubbing off on me quickly,” he said. “It’s helping my learning curve a lot. A lot of my success is because of Tyrone and Chris always chatting with me, always telling me where to be, what to do. I’m just executing it.
“Coming in, I really didn’t know what to expect. College to pros is a huge step up. It’s hugely different and much faster. So it’s hard to really know what to expect in the first year.”
At 6 feet 1 and 190 pounds, Harden has not been physically intimidated and says it has actually helped that MLS referees allow more rugged play than their college counterparts.
“It’s a lot tougher,” Harden said, “but that kind of benefits me anyway -- not getting called for fouls that would have been called in college.”
Tonight, the Galaxy plays the New England Revolution, and Harden’s task will be to help contain prolific striker Taylor Twellman.
Yallop is confident he can do it.
“He has that level-headedness, that aggression, that savvy,” he said. “It’s not coaching. He’s got it.”
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