Juan Pablo Angel looks to lend firepower to Galaxy

The Galaxy’s newest star introduced himself to the Los Angeles media Tuesday and said that the Southern California weather was great, that he was happy to be here, that the team had a good mix of veterans and youngsters and that winning a championship was his goal.

Other than that, striker Juan Pablo Angel did not venture into any new territory, so listen, instead, to what Landon Donovan had to say about him.

“First of all, he’s a guy who’s always tuned in in a game,” Donovan said. “I’ve seen him score so many types of goals.

“He can score with his head. He can score with both feet. He can score from distance. He’s good at taking free kicks. ... He just has something in him that drives him to get to the ball and put the ball in the net.”

The 35-year-old forward has made his name as a goal scorer, first in his native Colombia, then in Argentina, then in England and, most recently, in Major League Soccer.

In four seasons with the New York Red Bulls, Angel had, in order, 19, 16, 12 and 14 goals in 110 MLS games. Scoring is what he does for a living, and last season that living netted him a fraction under $2 million.

It is small change, of course, compared to his previous salary in England, but Angel is playing more for the love of the game these days than for financial reward.

But the South American star was quick to point out that, just as was the case with David Beckham over the last four years, it will not be he alone who makes the difference.

“Everywhere I’ve been I’ve had the responsibility to score goals,” Angel said. “But you win or lose as a team. It doesn’t happen that only one player has the responsibility to score goals.

“I know what I’m capable of doing. …But first of all we need good balance all over the field in order for us to be successful.

“This team has been doing well the last couple of years. The only thing that we’ve been lacking is the championship. Hopefully this year can be the one.”

Galaxy forward Mike Magee once played alongside Angel in New York.

“I think the only thing Juan needs is service,” Magee said. “He scores goals. So if he has anyone …who can kind of take pressure off him and let him get up by the goal, that’s all he needs.”

The question the Galaxy faces this season is who will that second striker be?

“Hopefully me,” Magee said.

Another candidate is former UCLA striker Chad Barrett, late of the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC.

“I consider myself a starter in this league. I’m going to fight for my starting spot,” Barrett said.

Barrett will have competition from another newly acquired forward, Adam Cristman, from Magee, and perhaps even from Donovan.

“I want to be more dangerous in front of the goal, regardless of where I’m playing,” said Donovan, whose production has dropped from 20 to 16 to seven goals in the last three seasons as he has been asked to be more of a midfield playmaker.

Barrett might get the first look. He was acquired with the idea that he might link up well with Angel.

“I grew up watching him play for Aston Villa, and now it’s just a real honor to play with him. He has his game, I have my style. I think I’m going to play up to his standard and complement him pretty well,” Barrett said.

Angel is filling the void left by the departure of Edson Buddle, who led the Galaxy with 17 goals last season and then tripled his salary by moving to Germany. Angel said building offensive cohesion will take time.

“Little by little it will happen,” he said.

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