‘I feel confidence every game’: Novak Mićović’s rise in between the sticks for LA Galaxy
A year after requesting a transfer, the 23-year-old Serbian goalkeeper is proving he belongs and may be LA’s long-term solution between the posts.
Novak Mićović’s future with the LA Galaxy was a question at this time last year.
It was reported by MLS insider Tom Bogert that the Serbian goalkeeper requested a transfer away from the Galaxy. In the following match, Mićović wasn’t on the team sheet for LA’s Leagues Cup Round of 32 match against Seattle.
Fast forward to today, and the 23-year-old has grabbed the starting role for the LA Galaxy ahead of a must-win Leagues Cup match against Santos Laguna on Thursday night.
After being benched earlier this season following an underwhelming three-game stint as LA’s starting goalkeeper, it seemed like Mićović might spend another season watching from the sidelines.
But another chance came later in the season. Mićović has started LA’s last 12 matches across all competitions with some standout performances during that stretch.
“When I play, I feel confidence 100% and I believe in myself,” said Mićović during Wednesday’s presser. “And sometimes mistake happens, sometimes I play well. I feel confidence every game.”
The LA Galaxy looks to have already given the reins to the Serbian goalkeeper for the now and the future. Given that Mićović is under contract until the end of the 2026 season (he has an option to play in 2027), and John McCarthy’s contract is coming to an end this season.
His performances in this year’s Leagues Cup have been quality. He made a handful of impressive saves against Club Tijuana, but the only real blemish so far was his inability to get a hand on the ball during LA’s penalty shootout loss to Cruz Azul.
“Especially sometimes in a shootout, you need to feel other players when they go to shoot. And maybe I'm not feel good in this game, but last year, I did well, and I think I got shootout next time,” he told reporters.
Aside from the shootout, Mićović has improved his all-around goalkeeping. His confidence and command in the box have visibly improved compared to earlier this year. His ability to play with the ball at his feet has been an asset for the LA Galaxy when it needs to break pressure or find another way to advance in the build-up
“Some of that was confidence in the language and communication and being able to connect with his guys,” said Vanney when asked about where Mićović has grown this season.
“Some of that was just his presence in the area, in terms of taking up space when it comes to crosses or organization, in terms of in the box, covering behind our back line, when balls are played in behind us, when we're a little bit higher up the field, things like that,” he added.
Vanney also mentioned that he wanted to see Mićović be more involved in possession. Given LA’s emphasis on keeping possession and string build-ups, having Mićović involved keeps other teams on their toes.
“I'd like for him to stay a little more connected, because he is competent with his feet, and he does give us an extra number in possession, and I felt like the last game with Cruz Azul really coming to press us. He kind of got a little bit too deep, and we almost didn't use him at times when we could have,” said Vanney.
LA Galaxy goalkeeper coach Kevin Hartman has been a major asset to the development of Mićović since he arrived in March 2023.
“Kevin is, personally, a great guy, and also he's a good goalkeeper,” said Micovic. I've worked with him for two or three years, we have a good relationship, and we're talking about everything, about training, about games, about the situation in the game. And I think it's he's so important in my process here, and I have only good things about him.”
Kevin Hartman joined the LA Galaxy coaching staff as their goalkeeper coach in February 2021 to join Vanney’s coaching staff. Prior to that, he had been working with the LA Galaxy Academy since 2017.
“When I play and after game, always I have a video with Kevin Hartman, and we're watching some situation, what I can do better, and we analyze everything,” said Mićović.
“Also on the [training] field. We work defense of the game. If [the opponent] has a lot of crosses, we work more on crosses. And if they have close shooting, we work on the reaction and depend on the game,” he added.
Mićović and the LA Galaxy must get all three points against Santos to be among the top four of the Leagues Cup MLS table.
“It's a must-win game. It’s so important to defend our goal first, and then we go to score a couple of goals, if we can,” said Micovic.
A year from his reported transfer request, the Serbian is now poised to be the future of the goalkeeper position for the six-time MLS Cup Champions.