Zambrano Lets Fraser Talk His Way Into Captaincy

In a way, it is fitting that the Galaxy captain’s armband has passed from Dan Calichman to Robin Fraser.

Calichman, the Major League Soccer club’s on-field leader for its first three seasons before being traded to the New England Revolution, was Fraser’s fellow defender and best friend.

Now, Fraser, who filled in as captain much of last season after Calichman was sidelined because of a broken leg, has the position all to himself.

“I think how I differ from Dan is because the team is different,” Fraser said Saturday morning at the Rose Bowl, where the Galaxy was training for today’s 5 p.m. game against the Dallas Burn.

“We have a few less-experienced players, a few younger players, so it’s almost like in some instances a teaching role.”

Coach Octavio Zambrano made Fraser’s captaincy official, recognizing his recall to the U.S. national team after being largely overlooked for several years had changed the player.

“I think it has done wonders,” Zambrano said. “I see Robin as a player who has assumed more of a leadership role. He’s a lot more vocal.

“That’s a very important aspect of the game, the communication that comes from the back. Not only is he communicating better but also his psyche is much better now because he’s been given the confidence of the national team coach, Bruce Arena, to play in some important matches.”

Fraser agreed.

“I don’t know if it’s just the national team,” he said, “but I’ve just felt great for the last year [until a left knee injury last week that will keep him out of today’s game and require arthroscopic surgery on Monday].

“I’ve been playing with a great deal of confidence, and getting called back to the national team only enhanced that.”

Then, too, there is the matter of his recent marriage to Ashley.

“A lot of things are coming together for him,” Zambrano said, “not only in his private life but in his professional life and the way he sees the game. Our team can only benefit from that.