9May2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Classics; La Galaxy; Post-Game; Real Salt Lake.
Having been backed into the caliginous corner of exams; my GPA fears for its life, but I’m able to take hope from LA’s shining star, Landon Donovan. The past two years, accusing him of lying doggo would certainly be valid. The fair weather fans of today would dismiss such claims with a vociferous, “NO U.”
I’m more inclined to think it’s a combination of having players around him who redound positively along the run of play. The Galaxy was composed of too many squad players the past two years, rookies developing slowly, overpaid veterans, and players who just didn’t perform. Not heroically, but at least gallantly Landon took it in stride and worked to exert influence over a game. But anyone could see it was hard for him. His well known aversion to physicality was a clear opening through which teams shut us down.
While Beckham isn’t the Saviour, as hierophant, his brace just may be Prorrhesis. The Galaxy have show offensive ability matched by defensive impotence, but most telling, only middling resolve. In a back and forth match at RSL, we finally held even with a team. Both sides probed, deliberated, and attacked. Earlier in the season a defensive mistake would have sunk us. It nearly happened, but we only tensed and then recoiled. I’ll cut here, more words in my head, but the library calls.
30April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Biology; Random Image.
Take note, they [Landon Donovan] both adopt the hands-off policy, till you make it personal. A famous man once said, “Better learn not to talk to [antagonize] me. You shake the tree, a leopard’s gonna fall out.” So, pretermitters, continue disallowing your eyes to negotiate with your mind; it doesn’t matter to him, but soon enough, he’ll make it matter to you.
27April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Chivas USA; La Galaxy; Post-Game.
editSPEAK: Midterms suck. While it would have been easy to throw together a quick preview of yesterday’s game, I started this dingus with the intention of putting together well thought and well written posts. School precludes both, especially since I’ve already fallen into the cookie-cutter mold that most soccer blogs are made from. Basically, I don’t want to write boring shit that you could find anywhere else. Who knows if, or when, I’ll be able to accomplish that.
“Ball don’t lie” - Rasheed Wallace - Credit: DBB
Truly, the ball didn’t lie. It was a back-breaking, skull-cracking, hernia-inducing rout. After taking advantage of some atrocious defending to even the score twice, Chivas dissolved like toilet paper and allowed three goals in eight minutes. I came into the game hoping that we wouldn’t be embarrassed, praying for a win, and salivating at the first edition of the LA-Hair-Off between Lawson Vaughn and Abel Xavier. Sadly, there was no old-school Southern Smackdown. Truthfully, I’m not even sure Xavier even has it in him though a kick, whiff, and miss is almost guaranteed.
The scummier Chivas USA fan might be inclined to blame the zebras, as always, but the Galaxy ran and ran to a 59%-41% possession advantage. Even more surprising than Alan Gordon’s contributions was how calm and decisive the Galaxy midfield was against Chivas’. All of the Galaxy’s previous opponents’ midfields are not exceptional (Houston cannot string together a consistent performance worth a damn). Kljestan, Mendoza, Marsch, and Nagamura should have run roughshod over anything we might have been able to field, yet they didn’t.
McDonald made every penny of his $12.2k count (can someone get a raise around here?). Mike Randolph was quick and dangerous without touching the ball all over the place, even racking up something of an assist after the Emperor bungled a tackle/clearance. Joe Franchino…impressed me. Solid performance as the defensive midfielder, his distribution was well-timed and well-placed. He even racked up his first yellow card of the season.
It’s too early to say if the improvement in the Galaxy’s recent performance was all Franchino but I’m not exactly sad we traded for him anymore. Both games he has played, the Galaxy have played with a certain bite and resolve we just don’t have when Alvaro Pires is bruisin’. OK, OK… I take it back, Joey. Your Vic Mackey impression is Emmy worthy (dude looks scary).
- Gm1m2 / r= Ug is still out of reach - Credit: Daniel Dociu
I don’t want to rain on the parade, just on Abel Xavier. He’s having a horrific season. At what point do the benefits of veteran tutelage outweigh on-field performance. Wrong-footed on both goals, Xavier is more of a lock to fall over, as he did on the second ‘goal’ than clear the ball of the goal line. Kljestan put in an amazing shot but he shouldn’t have even been able to get it off.
A quick give away on the right flank led to a lazy cross, a whiff, a goalie losing the trail, and Razov netting a goal only Landon could miss-remember Toronto. At least Cronin tried this time though he was just as out of position as Kljestan’s strike. It’s only a matter of time until the Galaxy loses again because of defensive/goalie errors, and then we may see some changes. I’m happy Gullit has faith in his boy’s; it makes for a good locker room.
and so marches the machine - Credit: Daniel Dociu
Landon and Beckham, with time can become transcendent. To play witness to such dominance is an opportunity marked in generations, not years. People might say it’s only MLS, but it’s on their backs we build the future of American soccer. Respect your roots motherfuckers.
Alan Gordon. I shall say no more. (Gullit’s substitutions. No more for real)
18April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Game Preview; Houston Dynamo; La Galaxy.
Game Preview
Records: LA Galaxy 1-2-0 (W-5th); Houston Dynamo 0-1-2 (W-6th)
Goals scored (shot-on-goal%): LA 4 (44.1%); HOU 2 (40.5%)
Goals conceded (shot-on-goal%): LA 7 (58.3%); HOU 6 (70.5%)
Probable Starters: LA Galaxy: Wicks–Klein, Franklin, Vanney, Gavin–Beckham, McDonald, Pires, Randolph–Donovan, Gordon.
Houston Dynamo: Caig–Mulrooney, Ianni, Boswell, Barret–Mullan, Clark, Davis–De Rosario–Caraccio, Ching.
On the LA Galaxy: Damn it Landon. Just as Vanney lost us the game, you refused to win it for us. LA started out strong against TFC but the quality of their performance, and the game as a whole, declined as the heat started to take its toll.
One bad clearance and some horrible positioning led to all three of Toronto’s goals. Much credit to Cunningham who showed he still has something left in the tank. The guy has scored 97 goals; with the addition of Guevara and Robert, I wouldn’t feel apprehensive betting on him leading the league in scoring this year.
LA’s passing is improving though—midfield only—they looked horrible against Colorado, not tested much against San Jose, and started off possessing the ball skillfully against Toronto. The Galaxy has lots of room for improvement, it’s up to them to take some initiative and work on their game. It’s good to see so many young players on the field that will be able to take more, and show more, from Gullit’s coaching than say Vagenas.
Houston Dynamo Notes: Something wicked this way comes. Houston has been…? You could end that sentence with so many words; I’d go with underwhelming, but reap what you sow. Replacing Ryan Cochrane with Bobby Boswell is a Lalas-level acquisition. Boswell was horrible last season for DC, looking worse for Houston. The Dynamo FO has to be Threat Level Orange right now.
After getting pasted by NE, Houston barely managed a tie against FC Dallas. MLS’ best defense is obviously not so. They managed a tie against KC after squandering some excellent chances in front of goal. It’s hard to decide if this was Houston’s defense actually stifling KC’s attack, or just general incompetence on the Wizard’s side.
Their problems are only compounded this weekend with Eddie Robinson finally suspended for being a jerk-off. We only had to wait a few years for it to happen. No news on if Craig Waibel is still out with his knee injury, but damn that defense looks as weak as any we’ve faced this year.
What to look out for: It’s all defense baby, and Alvaro Pires. LA = suck, Houston = suck. Both keepers suck too. I’m scared to see how the right side of our formation holds up. Corey Ashe can run around Beckham and Klein all day. Franklin is going to have to play towards the right more, opening up space for Ching and Caraccio to take advantage of.
Houston is missing Waibel, Robinson, and Onstad; adding up to Boswell as the big enforcer around those ways. We can’t afford to be profligate in front of the goal again. Landon mostly, but Allen and to a lesser degree Buddle weren’t able to capitalize on great chances (How about that Buddle turn and run at the end of the game last week?).
Expect Ricardo Clark to run rampant over Brandon McDonald who didn’t have the best of games last week. The key match up definitely has to be Pires and out center-halves against De Rosario. If LA gets out on the attack and pushed forward, we’re going to get torn up. Our best chance might be to sit back and take advantage of Beckham’s foot and Landon’s speed on the counter over and over.
Odds and Ends:
- I really want to see Julian Valentin play.
- Love to see some long overlaps by Randolph on the outside tomorrow. He has the speed to get on the end of many crosses. His finishing is a question mark though.
- Joe Franchino, seriously? Come on Lalas. Our defense is a piece but even we’re not, or shouldn’t be, that desperate. Look at what happened when we started trading players last year.
He hasn’t started a real match in over a year. After injuring his ankle last year, he took an indefinite leave of absence that was never explained. There have been some rumors about a not so small drinking habit. Makes you wonder about incidents like what happened at the Red Sox - Yankees game. The unidentified friend is Franchino. EDIT: Franchino is ours…wooo…
- Beckham got away with a clear red card last weekend. I’m not implying anything…yet.
- The confluence of power, April 20th + NBA Playoffs + Lakers + Money= ????
- Word of the week! Saudade
For your viewing pleasure: 7:30 PST on MLS Direct Kick and MLSLIVE.tv
The Last Word:
16April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Biology; Random Image.
The degree of apparent perception.
As the Lakers rise, the Galaxy continues to tumble. The Galaxy’s flagella need to stop changing the direction of their rotation.
13April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: La Galaxy; Post-Game; Toronto FC.
Quick Post-Game Thoughts
- The first half started out well. LA was mindful of the heat, making the ball do the work, and taking measure of their opponents.
- After fifteen min. or so, LA started to break down a little, more possession for TFC.
- Great chances squandered by Landon, he really needs to get in the game mentally. I wonder how he can finish all those PKs—ignore the Pachuca disaster—but not slot in some excellent chances. I blacked my eyes and got my butterfly knife ready when he missed the goal after rounding Sutton.’
- Marvel Wynne is the rich man’s Mike Randolph. Faster, better touch, better distribution; a better player.
- Fuck Danny Dichio. I don’t have a reason to hate him so much, but it’s OK. As a fan, hating on a player or team does not need to be explained. Similarly, I have no beef with Kobe haters except the ones that will use any bullshit argument as justification.
- Landon still hasn’t found the most important quality so abundant in a successful professional, consistency.
- Alvaro Pires is a good ball winner, not so in his distribution.
- Steve Cronin is not a good goalkeeper. My high school soccer coach, a former starter in goal for Loyola Marymount, would rag on our starting keeper, S, endlessly. Agile and athletic but not always there, S relied on his talent. S was eventually benched at one point for a keeper who was less athletic and skilled, but much stronger mentally.
- Second half is more back and forth than the first. I’d guess the possession will end up being about even barring a complete breakdown on either team.
- Buddle subbing for El Gordo highlights the amount of money we waste on players unable to perform at even a decent level.
- Greg Vanney has not had the best day. His lack of pace was grievously exposed on all goals. Of course physical limitations are invariable, mental errors are not. Rookie mistakes from a player of his experience are heartbreaking.
- We don’t need Ruiz back, we need more pace, physicality, and technique on the ball.
12April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Game Preview; La Galaxy; Toronto FC.
Game Preview
Records: LA Galaxy 1-1-0 (W-3rd); Toronto FC 0-2-0 (E-7th)
Goals scored (shot-on-goal%): LA 2 (47%); TFC 1 (41%)
Goals conceded (shot-on-goal%): LA 4 (57%); TFC 6 (58%)
Projected Starters: LA Galaxy Cronin‒Klein, Vanney, Franklin, Randolph‒Allen, Pires, McDonald, Beckham‒Donovan, El Gordo.
Toronto FC Sutton‒Brennan, Marshall, Velez, Wynne‒Robert, Edu, Guevara, Ricketts‒Dichio, Cunningham.
On the LA Galaxy: After the nightmare season opener in Colorado, the Galaxy rebounded with a solid performance against the San Jose Earthquakes. All the excitement came in the first half. With SJ’s midfielders and defenders not taking the initiative in their own half, the Galaxy—rather Landon Donovan and David Beckham—took advantage, combining for two beautiful goals.
With the game having started so promisingly, there was an effortless transition in the second half into non-threatening possession and a general lack of incisiveness. Alan Gordon, for here on ‘El Gordo,’ did well to maintain possession when the ball was played to him in the air but not much else. The Galaxy may have yet pushed the final score well beyond their thumping at The Dick, if not for El Gordo’s mistimed runs and heavy touch. Landon also had at least one clear chance if he had pushed forward with pace instead of passing the ball off for El Gordo to bobble.
Defensively, the Galaxy was never tested with San Jose managing a meager three shots, two on goal. While San Jose had the lion’s share of the possession in the second frame, their midfielders and forwards never combined for any worth with Kamara showing very little technique on the ball. Glinton and Cunliffe showed little and did less. Ronnie O’Brien was tentative, but it was expected having been with the team a little over a month.
Most important was the lack of glaring defensive errors in our own third. Sean Franklin and Mike Randolph brought energy and a level of physical play the Galaxy was lacking in Colorado. The absence of Abel Xavier came a good time, allowing Gullit to blood the rookie and take stock of Randolph’s ability and mental strength following his cut from the USMNT U-23 squad.
Toronto FC Notes: No surprises here. Toronto has started the season where they were expected, already in the cellar. With Mo Johnston moving into the front office, John Carver was bumped up to head coach. Contrary to his calls for a disciplined and controlled performance against DC United, TFC’s defense was shambolic at best, much closer to utterly atrocious than should be comfortable for anyone in the organization. The FO is no help at all, still trialing and signing new players which Carver is expected to work into his system while also waiting for them to gain form and fitness—primarily Laurent Blanc.
Not much to say offensively either. From their showing in games against DCU and the Crew, Toronto’s attack would be looking to outdo their record-breaking offense of last season. Obviously, with Mo Johnston still dealing, TFC has made the late additions of players expected to contribute immensely, on paper anyways.
What to look out for: The game will be decided by which defense is less mediocre. Toronto’s defense was essentially nonexistent, particularly in the opening minutes against DCU, where both opening goals came from a bad case of standing around, watching the ball, and holding no cohesive shape.
The goals will come; it is expected for the Galaxy. Beckham and Landon combined well against San Jose, even when it did not result in a goal. Landon’s pace combined with Beckham’s eye for space should allow them to terrorize a defense prone to mistakes and bereft of leadership. Tyrone Marshall and Chad Velez will need to step up their game, both in leadership and in performance.
While the solid performance against SJ is a great confidence booster, when the Galaxy’s defense was tested by a decent attack, it yielded four goals, fell apart, and seemingly gave up on the game.
The big question here, for the players and fans of both teams is TFC’s offense, mainly Amado Guevara; a player as mercurial and talented as any, able to dominate games in the vein of two other MLS midfield studs, Christian Gomez and Dwayne De Rosario. If Amado is fit, in form, and focused, he’ll wreak havoc along the Galaxy’s back line. A big bonus to his signing is the return of Maurice Edu to his preferred position at the base of the midfield diamond where his talents can best be utilized. He was clearly frustrated and less effective pushed out on the wing against DCU.
Laurent Blanc is no cupcake either. The man is lacking the appropriate fitness and is clearly off form, but the quality is there. Besides the rocket left foot, the ability to precisely place balls will pay great dividends in an attack that also counts Jeff Cunningham. The Galaxy has the talent and physicality in the young players to stifle TFC’s attack, but you have to wonder about their savvy when dealing with such experienced players, especially if Xavier isn’t inserted into the line-up following his return from suspension.
Odds and Ends
- Carver obviously wants to bring a stable atmosphere to the locker room, but with TFC still adding players, this doesn’t look to happen for awhile.
- I wonder what the exact situation in the locker room is. We know Mo Johnston is a dealer, though the quality of some moves can be questioned. How do the players concentrate when its possible their GM might trade them any day, seemingly on a whim?
- The Galaxy’s defense isn’t atrocious, but it has potential. It won’t be because Xavier is performing out of his mind, or if Vanney has a farewell season for the ages, or if Chris Klein plays like he’s 25, but because we have some very talented rookies and second year players. Julian Valentin is going to be huge, but more on this later.
- Why does the Galaxy spend so much money on MLS journeyman types; Vagenas, Klein, Vanney…Buddle, what about the seemingly proven model of inexpensive foreign talent. Just look at the best teams in MLS, FC Dallas, NE Revs, the lolWiz, and since before the dawn of time, DC United.
- Does Ruud even have a network in place to this end? We know he has the European contacts but I don’t think MLS is the right league or the Galaxy the right team to be going after those players.
For your viewing pleasure: 12:00 PM PST on TeleFutura and FSN-W; myp2p.eu.
The Last Word: it brings tears to my eyes
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
6April2008
Posted by RHYbread under: Uncategorized.
Playing soccer since I was five, growing up in Pasadena was somewhat of a boon and a curse. While I couldn’t go to many Galaxy games early on, curse, the last few years at the Rose Bowl, boon, and the subsequent move to HDC were marked by almost constant attendance. My bond to the Galaxy remains strong in spite of physical distance (San Diego) and an inability to see them play in person (ticket prices).
Just as my beloved Lakers have begun to rise out their recent malaise, the Galaxy seems set to continue its plunge into mediocrity and ridicule. I remain optimistic but cautious about their chances to achieve this season.
My hopes for LA sports in general have been marked by the major injuries and drama surrounding all my chosen teams. In the case of the Lakers, Dodgers, and Galaxy, it’s not just us fans feeling as down as our teams, but also taking the added hit of knowing that other sports fans delight in our missteps and misfortune. Never will we be graced with the support of neutrals, but I hope to make up for it with gratuitous insults and all-around douchebaggery.
Since I ♥ LA Galaxy, Between Windows will be perfect for what I want to do. I hope to improve my writing and analytical skills and relieve myself from concentrating on the minutiae of a biosciences major. Expect random tangents, nerdiness, and overall weird.
Comments are very much appreciated, whether it’s your opinion on the state of the Galaxy, reactions to a post, or critique of my ability, especially critique.
(I will create a shrine to anyone who deciphers the meaning behind a post title)