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Alan Gordon Ready to Lead LA Galaxy against Former Team San Jose Earthquakes

June 26, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


CARSON, Calif. - Alan Gordon dispensed plenty of pain and misery on the LA Galaxy during his stint with the San Jose Earthquakes, but on Saturday, he'll return to Stanford Stadium to lead LA over his former club in the first California Clásico of 2015.

To say that Gordon was a thorn in the Galaxy's side during his time with the Earthquakes would be an understatement.

No player personified San Jose's "Goonies Never Say Die" motto better than Gordon who scored four times against the Galaxy -two of which were dramatic lategame winners- in two-and-a-half years with the Earthquakes.

When deciding to bring in Gordon from San Jose, Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena says the fiery striker checked all the boxes for a team on the cusp of winning another MLS Cup title.

"He's a veteran for sure. He's seen both the good and the bad, he's been a lot of different places, and he takes pride in what he does on the field," Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena told LAGalaxy.com. "He's a well-respected guy and a good leader. He cares, and I think that's important. I like to have people that care. If they can play and they care, then you've got the best of both worlds."

You could see how much Gordon cared when you saw the ferocity with which he celebrated his winners against the Galaxy in 2012 and again in 2013. Amid all that success for San Jose, there was a little extra emotion brewing underneath the surface for the forward, which made his eventual return to the Galaxy even more significant.

"My days are numbered. That's no surprise. I want to win and I felt like my first stint with the Galaxy wasn't great," Gordon, who has scored nine times since re-joining the team last August, told LAGalaxy.com. "We went through some tough years [from 2004-2010] and I was a little envious of all the success that the club was having when I was away, and I wanted to be part of the success. When you're on the other side and you see the Galaxy win championships, it adds a little fire.

"I want it to continue while I'm here. I take it very personal. I want to end my career on a positive note with as many wins and championships that I can get."

Don't take that chatter as Gordon considering retirement by any stretch, however.

This season Gordon has tallied four goals for the Galaxy and remains one of the club's leading scorers halfway through the season. Although the forward is already 33-years-old, he believes that he has plenty more to offer the Galaxy.

"My body feels great," Gordon said. "The training staff here, I don't know about other clubs, but I would say that it is at the top. They do so much good treatment and my body feels like I am 25."

Despite his success with the Earthquakes, Gordon affirms that there will be no hard feelings against his old club if he takes the field at Stanford Stadium on Saturday. Rather, the grizzled veteran will simply be focused on doing what made him a hero for both sets of fans... scoring goals.

"Those were good moments. It was fun with San Jose but I'm hoping to recreate those moments with a new jersey on," Gordon said. "That's all I'm looking to do is help my team when called upon. If there's magic, that's a bonus."

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