A cloud has covered the Los Angeles Galaxy’s preseason preparations: they have four designated players. This fact has dominated the conversation surrounding their season ever since Zlatan Ibrahimovic was signed for an inevitable, and much deserved, Designated Player contract. That’s one more than the maximum allowed under Major League Soccer’s much-maligned — and convoluted to boot — roster rules.
Zlatan has been the biggest headline grabber, because, of course, he’s Zlatan. The other two entities absorbing attention are the dos Santos brothers, Giovanni and Jonathan. Giovanni has struggled the last two seasons and fans want him gone. However, that is a difficult maneuver considering Jonathan is a productive and important player for the team.