Loading ...Aug 21 2008
Eddie Lewis Officially Joins Los Angeles Galaxy
United States international left half/back Eddie Lewis has left Coca-Cola Championship side Derby to join the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. The Galaxy made room for Lewis by dealing Carlos Ruiz to Toronto, who have added another forward (to Chad Barrett, who they got from Chicago three weeks ago).
Lewis has been one of the more unrated contributors to the U.S. national team because of his relatively one dimensional nature. He provides service from the left but nothing much more, but his service is exquisite. It is not quite to the level of his new teammate David Beckham’s, but that’s a high standard. Lewis’s service is truly world class. Landon Donovan and Edison Buddle’s already charmed lives living on the end of Beckham’s passes just got that much easier. Let the myth that is “Landon Donovon - World Class Player” continue as he piles up goals thanks to Beckham and Lewis.
Lewis’s acquisition does nothing to address the team’s defensive problems, and it is valid to point out that the Galaxy attack may have already hit its ceiling. Los Angeles seems to be conceding that their defense is not going to improve, so they are going to continue to try and improve wherever else they can. It’s a strategy I agree with, even if Lewis’s acquisition might make their defense worse, if that’s possible. But now instead of working through Beckham whenever possible, they can have more balance on the pitch.
Though 34 years old, Lewis still has enough left to be a contributor. Last season for Derby in the Premiership, he was one of the few players you could see being put on another team and being able to contribute. No matter where the rest of his game goes, he’s still able to provide service. A team can rest him deep in midfield or at left back and ask him to pump balls into the box, serve corners, and take set pieces. Still an occasional factor for the U.S. national team, there is more to Lewis’s game than just dead balls.
This is likely to be the last stop in a career where Lewis was one of the longest serving, highest profile Americans abroad. Lewis played eight seasons in England, scoring 23 goals between Preston North End and Leeds United. In coming back to the United States, Lewis will give his nation’s fans a chance to know a player that should be more highly regarded for his place amongst some watershed teams. That he was not the quickest, most athletic, or most multi-faceted player seems to be what people remember. Fans should focus more on what Lewis can do, and a couple of seasons in MLS will give them a chance to do so.
Briefly, as it concerns Toronto: TFC got off to a surprise start this season and were quickly able to add talent to their midfield and maintained some of their quality. Still, the team has had trouble finding a consistent scoring presence up top. They have been on the edge of the playoffs all season long, but if Chad Barrett and Carlos Ruiz can do anything at all, TFC can make the playoffs. They will be a low seed, but if somebody had told the Toronto fans at the season’s onset they would be in the playoff, the would have taken it.
If Ruiz can stay healthy and find some form, they will accomplish that goal.
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