Give & Go: L.A. Galaxy's Joe Franchino

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MLS: Joe Franchino (Los Angeles), Mike Magee (New York), Los Angeles Galaxy v New York Red Bulls, May 2008 (ISI)

CARSON, Calif. -- Life’s looking up for Joe Franchino.

The 10-year Major League Soccer veteran had his difficulties the last few seasons with the New England Revolution, battling injuries, off-field problems, and a move to the bench. But the 31-year-old California native has always been a warrior, and now he’s returned to the west coast to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

It’s a fresh start, a chance to prove his critics wrong and prove to himself he still has, as he says, “something in the tank.” Time will tell.

Born and raised in Southern California, Franchino was drafted out of the University of Washington in 1998 by the Galaxy. His tenacious midfield tackling and dangerous left foot saw him earn playing time immediately. In 2000, he moved to the Revolution, where he was a mainstay for the next six years, eventually captaining the side for several years. He was a major component of the Revolution’s rise and appearance in four of the last six MLS Cups, but injuries and incidents -- including a training-ground dust-up with former teammate Clint Dempsey in 2006 (for which Dempsey was disciplined) and a two-month leave of absence in 2007 -- saw Franchino’s role diminish considerably.

In April of this year, a few days after another off-field incident -- Franchino was ejected from the stands at Fenway Park during a Boston Red Sox baseball game -- the Revolution sent the 5-foot-9, 165-pound midfielder to the Los Angeles Galaxy for a second-round pick in the 2009 SuperDraft. Hours after stepping off the plane, Franchino was subbed on at halftime and put in a workmanlike performance for the Galaxy and he has since become a starter.

Last week, Goal.com’s Greg Lalas caught up with Franchino after the Galaxy’s practice at the Home Depot Center.

Goal.com: You’ve been back now for about two weeks. How’s the move so far?

Franchino: Yeah, the move’s been great. Obviously, I left a lot of roots in New England. But me and Stevie [Nicol, New England’s coach] were on the same page, and fortunately he let me get an opportunity. It fell to a place where I’m in a good situation.

Goal.com: What precipitated the move, in terms of what you were faced with in New England this year?

Franchino: I felt like I was getting buried on the bench in New England. They went their different way, and I respect that. I knew my role would change and they were going to go with Jeff [Larentowicz] and Shalrie [Joseph], and I respected that. Stevie was up front and honest with me. I bit my tongue, but I said I was going to work hard and thought that I could get into the starting lineup. Unfortunately, because of my ankle surgery last year, I was away from the game for almost a year and I didn’t know what to expect. Doctors were telling me I had a 50/50 chance to come back playing.

Goal.com: How did the move to LA specifically come about?

Franchino: I played a reserve game and I felt like I had something left in the tank. I still had the fire in the belly, I still had the passion to play. Obviously being out for a year, it took some time to get back into some sort of fitness so I could play in a reserve game. But once I did that, in Kansas City, with my situation, my personal situation, and having a great coach that understood me, and being on the same page, I asked Stevie truthfully, “Do you still think I could start in this league?”

Goal.com: What did he say?

Franchino: In the back of my mind, I respected his opinion, but in my own mind, I knew I could play. Then I played in that reserve game in Kansas City and I talked to him, and I said, “You know, as tough as it’s going to be to leave my daughter, to leave everything behind, I still have something left.” I’m fortunate that the opportunity brought me here. The Galaxy didn’t have to bring me in. And I just want to make the most of it.

Goal.com: What are the expectations for you here?

Franchino: Obviously not playing games, you’re not 100 percent fit, so I came in here not 100 percent. But I’m getting into game shape, I’m starting to feel real good, and I’m excited whenever I step on the pitch and get out there and play. Especially with the spirit of this team and the guys on this team. We have high expectations here and I just want to be a part of it.

Goal.com: You have a track record of some issues unrelated to soccer. How are you dealing with that in this new situation?

Franchino: There have been issues on and off the field that that have come up in the paper back in New England, and I want to squash that. I want a fresh start. I sat down with Alexi [Lalas, Galaxy GM] and I sat down with Ruud [Gullit, Galaxy coach] and they expect a lot from me.

Goal.com: Have they told you how long the rope is?

Franchino: There is no rope. Or, I don’t know if there is or not, but I take it as there is no rope. There was an incident in the paper back in New England [just before I came here]. It was overblown. You know how reporters can be. But at the same time, as a professional athlete, you don’t put yourself in those kinds of situations. I understand that, and I take responsibility for putting myself in that situation. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no rope left. I just want to play. Once you’re playing, it’s different.

Goal.com: You’re playing now. Gullit threw you onto the field the day immediately. You weren’t fit, obviously, but how’d it feel?

Franchino: They came up to me and said “Keep your legs loose.” I thought, “Maybe they just want me to stay loose after the trip.” Then suddenly they were, like, “You’re going in.” And right then and there, dude, the adrenaline kicks in. I knew I only had 45 minutes to give and just went out there to bust my ass.

Goal.com: How would you assess your play so far?

Franchino: You know, I started the next game, played pretty well, and we got a good result. And I’m playing better and better. But in Salt Lake, I thought I was horrible. I take that personally. I think I’m pretty close, and just looking forward to it all, to the challenge and the adversity that I’m dealing with. I left a lot of people back in New England, a great team, a great personality, great organization that stuck with me through thick and thin. But it’s time to turn the page, you know?

Goal.com: There’s a very different dynamic here than in Foxboro. What have you noticed so far?

Franchino: In New England, it was free-spirited, carefree, a lot of joking around. It’s a bit more serious here. I think as far as training goes, as far as nutrition goes, as far as everything they look at, you’re under a microscope. I’d say it’s good for me. I wouldn’t say in New Engalnd it’s bad. They have their own way and they win. It’s just a different way of doing things. It’s good for me at this stage in my career to be in this situation as well.

Goal.com: You’re now smack dab in the middle of Beckham-mania. Any interactions with David so far?

Franchino: I just kind of left him alone. When I first came in, I was like “Are you serious?” I mean, he’s Beckham.

Goal.com: Well, you guys have the same look, actually.

Franchino (laughing): Yeah, I get that all the time. “Are you David Beckham?”

Goal.com: You need a tattoo on the back of your neck.

Franchino: Yeah. After the first game and we started playing together, we started socializing a little more. Obviously, I have great respect for him. Hopefully, that will come from him toward me. He doesn’t put himself above nobody, no matter if he is Beckham.

Goal.com: Is there a tenseness? With all the money and the hoopla, the Galaxy have to win and have to win now.

Franchino: Well, they haven’t made the playoffs the last two years, so I think there is a tenseness. I think in New England, that’s why it’s so lax, because we had a string of winning. Going to the playoffs was expected. Here it’s expected, but we haven’t done it. I think it’s going to be serious like this until we get over that hump. I think every day we’re moving toward that but when we get good results, the spirit opens up and everything’s a little bit lighter, you know? But at the same time, we come in here and it’s pretty serious from the coaching staff to the players.

Goal.com: You’ve been on some great teams in New England. I think of the awesome 2006 team. How does this team compare?

Franchino: As far as talent goes, this team is right up there with any of them. As far as chemistry goes, I don’t know. We’re still trying to get that chemistry. Being new, like I am, playing together, that’ll come. But I think the chemistry is a huge part. Stevie mentioned that a lot. If we keep Landon Donovan and everyone healthy, we could be pretty dangerous. We have to shore up the holes defensively and keep it simple, and let the big guys do what the guys do, you know?

Goal.com: How are you settling in personally?

Franchino: I found a place in Culver City. I’m moving some stuff out here. You know, they gave up a high draft pick for me, so I think the future is good. My expectation for myself is that I see myself here next year, so I’m moving my stuff out and focusing each day. Move forward.

-- Greg Lalas, Goal.com USA