by Andrea Canales - Joe Franchino could have walked away from the game. After all, he’d had a good career, starting as a young player who broke out with the LA Galaxy in 1998, continuing with the squad until 2000, when he moved to the New England Revolution. There Franchino developed into the team’s captain, and eventually became the squad’s longest-tenured player.

Yet there he was last Saturday in a Galaxy uniform, playing a crucial role in their 2-2 draw with the Houston Dynamo.

Injuries and a long layoff had taken a toll last season on the player known for his toughness, especially since doctors couldn’t reassure Franchino that his recovery would be successful. The Revs couldn’t take a chance on weakening their roster, so Steve Nicol, with his almost-supernatural scouting eye, signed new talent.

“I came off ankle surgery and I was off pretty much the whole year last year,” Franchino explained. “They had to move forward and they went and got some good players. Stevie and the coaching staff there have done well.”

After working so hard to return from injury, Franchino was desperate to play.  Nicol agreed to help him find a better situation for that.

“He felt like I could still play,” said Franchino. “I still have the passion to play. When that passion is gone, I’ll walk away from the game, but I still have a few years left. He was willing to shop me around, and it was amazing the way it turned out.”

Meanwhile, the Galaxy were on the hunt to improve their squad.

“We were looking for somebody in midfield with a left foot,” said Ruud Gullit. “They came with [Franchino]. I watched some tapes of him in 2006 and I saw some videos on the MLS website. I was just trying to find out what kind of player he is. I thought it was a good decision, especially for the price he cost.”

Though the Galaxy had twice denied him an MLS championship, Franchino was pleased to return to his home state.

“I have great memories of the Galaxy,” said Franchino, “The aura of the Galaxy and the people we have around here, the stadium and the fans, it’s top notch. Expectations are high, always.”

Gullit didn’t waste time making the most of his new asset, putting Franchino in the second half of the Galaxy/Houston match.

“I think he could be excellent for us, not only for the team, but for the width of the team and they told me the situation – that he could come on Sunday,” Gullit said. “I said, ‘No, no, let him come now, and at least sit on the bench, because I might need him, especially in this game.’

Not only had Franchino not participated in regular MLS action for a while, but he’d barely kicked a ball with his new teammates. He sat on the bench for the first half of the Houston game, watching the Galaxy players nearly get run off the field by the defending champions.

Gullit had seen enough. He made the insertion of Franchino part of his halftime changes.

“I didn’t even have a training session when I got off the plane,” said Franchino. “Cobi said I was going in. When I stepped on the field, I think the intensity was higher. Whatever was said in the locker room amongst my teammates, I think they motivated each other. I just came in and tried to play simple and fight and tried to put some spirit in the team. I don’t know if it worked, but I think the players around me stepped it up. That’s what the difference was. In the first half, we were so deep. In the second half, we moved up and we were attacking a bit more. It was great to be a part of.”

With his gritty, dogged play, Franchino won the ball in midfield often and delivered it to a key player in particular.

“Everything happened so quick,” said Galaxy captain David Beckham. “Actually, the manager said that we were trying to get Joe yesterday. He arrived today and he was sitting there in the locker room. It’s always nice to have fresh faces and good players and personalities. You could tell immediately that he’s a strong personality and a strong player. He came in second half and I’m sure he was tired, because he’d just gotten off the plane, but he came in and was enthusiastic and showed he wanted to win.”

Gullit was pleased to see his gamble pay off.

“When [Franchino] came, all of a sudden, the balance in the midfield, it was right,” said Gullit. “It was tighter. [Houston] couldn’t find spaces any more. Course, they’re still a good side. But it was easier for us to find our strikers and to find David.”

Though Franchino noted that he is still working to regain full fitness, he also promised that the Galaxy could always count on his unstinting effort.

“That’s what I’m going to do, fight hard for my teammates, go out there, try to win balls, play simple and give it to guys like Beckham and Donovan and Carlos (Ruiz) and Eddie (Buddle) when they get healthy,” said Franchino. “It’s pretty simple. I know my role’s not huge with the team, but I’m going to try to play it the best I can.”

To a certain extent, especially given the severity of his various ailments (torn peroneal tendon in right ankle, hamstring strains in both knees, arthroscopic surgery on left knee, partially detached gluteus medius muscle) throughout his career, Franchino was grateful to merely be able to play. He was also pleased that a former teammate vouched for him to help bring him back to the Galaxy.

“He was a huge part of it,” Franchino said of assistant coach Cobi Jones’ role in his trade. “I appreciate that. We have a long history together. Cobi knows what I bring to the table. Nothing’s changed there.”

A certain amount of baggage also follows Franchino’s attempts to get his career back on track. He took personal leave from the Revolution last season. According to reports, he was recently involved in an incident at Fenway Park in Boston with Revolution defender Gary Flood where the pair was asked to leave for disorderly conduct. The change of pace to California might have come at an ideal time, but it still involved sacrifice.

“I’m not here on holiday,” Franchino asserted. “I left my daughter [4-year-old Kaitryn] back home, so I want to make the most of it, work hard, try to improve and give everything to this team.”

That’s the attitude Gullit is looking for.

“With Joey, at least that’s something that gives us a little more depth on the team,” said Gullit.

If first impressions matter, Franchino helped make a good one on his Galaxy return. While he was on the field, the Galaxy outscored Houston two goals to one, and looked much more effective.

“He is a winner,” Beckham said of Franchino’s focus. “That helped our team. It helped us get back into the game and we’re happy to have him on the team now.”

A new chance with his old team could be an ideal fit.

“It feels good, to feel wanted, and at the same time getting a fresh start,” said Franchino. “I want to make the most of it, work hard, try to improve and give everything to this team.”

Frontpage image courtesy of LA Galaxy website.