Olivier Giroud opens up on life in the MLS after his move to the USA team Los Angeles FC in the summer tranfer window.
Olivier Giroud took all of three league games with his new club to show that his influence extends beyond his attacking output.
In a derby against LA Galaxy, Giroud was celebrating LAFC’s first goal when he momentarily left the festivities to go for the young midfielder who had contributed to the buildup. According to his teammates, a guy who formally transferred from Milan to Los Angeles just two months ago already possesses that level of leadership.
“What an amazing locker room addition he has been,” LAFC defender Aaron Long says. “The way he takes care of his body. The way he approaches training, approaches games, talks to his teammates in training. The way he coaches guys and things he sees tactically, asks questions in video sessions.”
LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo appreciates what he calls Giroud’s “soft skills in and around the locker room, around the training facility and in talking to younger players. These things you don’t maybe expect if you just watch him play on TV.”
These qualities are crucial as Giroud tries to establish a rapport with his teammates. All while he manages chronic knee discomfort, and gets used to a new team, league, and culture.
The US Open Cup will see Giroud’s LAFC take on Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday night, putting all three to the test. There have been some initial annoyances following his midseason departure. Giroud, though, continues to exhibit the qualities that have made him such a formidable force in Europe.
“What is different about Olivier is his physicality, his presence, his size,” said John Thorrington, LAFC’S general manager and co-president. “I think what is unique is his ability not just to score goals but also to combine and create goals. That was a unique combination of skills. Most strikers have either-or. We found a rare package that would suit us very well.”
Zlatan Ibrahimović, a former Milan colleague who scored 52 goals in two seasons for the Galaxy and hails from “the wrong side of LA,” as Giroud jokingly referred to the crosstown rivalry, gave Giroud excellent feedback about MLS. Ibrahimović’s evaluation mirrors the league’s more aggressive, vivacious style.
However, travel reduces that intensity. Giroud hardly ever had to travel between time zones while playing in Europe. On the other hand, the Major League Soccer (MLS) spans four time zones, from Los Angeles to Miami to Vancouver.
“Travel is massive,” Giroud said. “In Europe when you travel in Champions League the longest flight is one and a half or two hours. Apart from playing in Baku for the Europa League final. Here, I’ve already done 20 hours of flight in a month. So it’s important to be even more professional in your recovery. Sleeping well, eating well and doing the treatments you need to be fit.”