LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena has said that it is about time he thought about the change in the penalty taking specialist within the team. This decision by the manager came after the second penalty of the season for Landon Donovan. The US international recently returned to first team action after taking a four month sabbatical from the game. However, he has missed the two penalties that he has received since returning to first-team action. The missed penalties have proven to be extremely costly for the team, which has made manager Arena look at this aspect.
Donovan’s latest miss came in the match against Houston Dynamo. The miss proved to be extremely costly as Galaxy have gone on to lose both matches 1-0. Arena has pointed out to this fact and has stated that he will probably assigning a different player for the penalty taking duties from next match onwards. Robbie Keane could become the designated penalty taker for LA Galaxy, as he has a great experience and record of converting penalties from his days stretching back to Tottenham. MLS Golden Boot co-leader Mike Magee, though, has said that it is a very high price for Donovan to pay for his two misses.
“I’m not doing the job, so someone else is going to have to do it, but aside from that, we’ve got to play better. Certainly, goals change games, and I could have made a difference and changed the game, but it happens and you have to move on,” said Donovan. “Never good to miss a penalty kick. We’re probably going to have to change that. He’s missed two in two games that we’ve lost, 1-0. Not good, so we probably need to make a change there,” said Arena. LA Galaxy are seven points behind leaders FC Dallas in the Western Conference table.