Findley is off to a rousing start
Grahame L. Jones (Los Angeles Times)The rookie, who has two noted athletes as cousins, finds himself among MLS' elite and meets a former president while impressing his coach.April 12, 2007As far as professional debuts go, Robbie Findley's will take some beating — at least in Major League Soccer.
For one thing, even before the Galaxy rookie had stepped on the field in Texas on Sunday, he shook hands with former President George Bush, who was at Robertson Stadium in Houston for the MLS season opener.
For a 21-year-old, that was memorable.
Next, Findley found himself on the bench waiting for his chance to come on against the defending league champion Dynamo.
And when, with half an hour left in the scoreless match, Coach Frank Yallop finally sent Findley in, he replaced a U.S. soccer icon: longtime Galaxy and national team star Cobi Jones.
Not bad for a youngster who was earning accolades at Oregon State not all that long ago.
Of course, Findley should be used to rubbing shoulders with the athletically gifted. He is a cousin of Sacramento Kings point guard Mike Bibby and also of Detroit Lions wide receiver Shaun McDonald.
Still, Sunday was special for Findley, who could be a spark off the bench again tonight when the Galaxy plays its home opener against FC Dallas at the Home Depot Center. "I just tried not to let the nerves get to me too much," he said Wednesday, adding that he has always had the enthusiastic backing of both cousins.
"Shaun used to play soccer before he played football," Findley said. "They're going to support me and make sure they're there for me and make sure I'm working hard and doing everything I can do to get better.
"I have no doubt that I can compete at this level."
Nor does Yallop.
"We've got a bit of a player on our hands," he said, suggesting that the Galaxy has stumbled upon a potential future star. "There are things that he naturally does well — speed, turning ability, bravery, he's very good in the air with his jumping power. Once he settles in here, he'll be a very good player for us."
Findley is unlikely to start against Dallas because Yallop wants to stick with the lineup that earned a 0-0 tie with Houston. But he does not rule out the young forward in time becoming a starter.
"But at this point he was brought on to freshen everything up, and he really did that" against Houston, Yallop said. "I liked his demeanor. He wasn't nervous. He knew he belonged there."
Galaxy standout Landon Donovan was equally impressed.
"Everybody saw on Sunday what he can do," Donovan said. "Late in a game, he's probably the last guy you want to see coming off the bench if you're a defender."
Paul Bravo, the Galaxy's assistant coach, has been tracking Findley for several years.
"Over the past two years, he's been one of the best players in the Pac-10," Bravo said. "He's worked very hard since he's come in. People have been impressed with his debut, but I think as far as the coaching staff goes, we think that he has a lot more to offer us down the road."
Robbie Findley, right, of the Galaxy is a cousin of Sacramento Kings point guard Mike Bibby and also of Detroit Lions wide receiver Shaun McDonald.
