About that Galaxy Game

By: Laurie | April 16th, 2008

Okay, first thing. Even though I’ve just posted two (count ‘em, two) not real positive posts about Landon, I still like the guy. He’s still one of the best we’ve got.

In 90% of games for any team, the person who scores two goals would be a hero. It’s just that we needed more. I think it’s a little too easy to take it out on the person who was capable of scoring more, but didn’t. Landon deserves only a little bit of the blame.

That said, I couldn’t track down a pirate video stream until thirty minutes into the game, and from what I gather I apparently didn’t see at least of couple of blown chances. Maybe I’d be less forgiving if I had.

Next thing: Exactly how hot was it? Everybody’s talking about the heat as if it were an extra player. Just curious what we’re talking about here. Perhaps midday games, even in April, aren’t such a great idea?

Now about the game. I don’t feel comfortable trying to actually analyze anything here, because, like I said, I was watching on an illicit pirate feed. What this means is that instead of watching twenty-two individual players, I was kind of seeing a bunch of two-footed fuzzy white things and a bunch of two-footed fuzzy red things chasing a fuzzy round thing on a green background. So what I saw was a lot less individual play (I couldn’t even swear that some of the players listed were actually on the field) and a lot more movement and flow.

With that in mind, though? In the first half, I’m pretty sure I saw some stuff that could be loosely defined as “sexy football.” I’m serious. Before they ran out of gas in the second half, they were moving the ball like a real team. It was actually pretty. It was exciting. And dammit, pretty and exciting matter to me.

And then, of course, it all fell apart in the second half. In a big way.

But still? A sustained period of mostly sexy football? After last year? It’s something to hang onto.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

This year is a gamble. It has been ever since we signed Ruiz. Hell, it’s been a gamble ever since we signed Beckham. We’ve always known that, right? Bringing in three high-paid players to go on the attack, with the salary cap being what it is? Hoping the older vets and rank newcomers can hold everything else together?

It’s like going to the roulette table and betting everything you have on black. And then crossing your fingers.

The last part of the game’s first half gave us a glimpse of what could be. The last part of the second half showed us how it could all go wrong. This season could be a fantastic thrill ride, or it could be heartbreaking. But it’s not going to be boring.

Does that count for something?

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2008 Season

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Diane

Mag, don't forget Sergio Ramos in the title run last season, they were also a thrill to watch together.

I think Klein is great. As I said before, I have tremendous respect for someone who can keep raising their game no matter where they are in their career. Plus, he must really have taken the manager's fitness instruction seriously during the off season!
jen

The guys in the booth said it was 100+ on the field.

Ditto on not blaming Landon for everything. His only real mistake was the one you posted a video clip of. The others were great keeper saves.

I really, really like the guy -- I really do -- but Vanney was the reason for the first two goals. Ugh. Honestly, the only thing that is wrong with him is his speed. But that's a big problem.
charlesj27

Good analysis, tower0surfer. Almost all of what you said makes absolute sense to me. Even though Vanney and Xavier are slow and cannot catch up to the ultra-fast runs of some of the current MLS Midfielders and Forwards... I am hesitant to say that I wanted to see them gone from our LA Galaxy team. These two guys have YEARS of experience and "brains" in them, that our young (rookie) defenders could certainly use day in and day out. I do agree that it's probably not a good idea to use these two as starters to the games we play. But, I do believe we will need both of them as subs into a game from time to time! I am amazed - just amazed how Chris Klein is able to keep running like that for all of the lenght of the game. Hats off to ya, Chris. Keep doing what you're doing. For me - Pete Vagenas, Alan Gordon, and Steve Cronin - these guys just do NOT have the "goods" for our current MLS. Sorry, if it urks people... but, it's the proven truth... these guys have to be let go to make room for players that can actually produce the results we need. I don't know about you guys - but, as I watch the games that Mike Randolph has played in... Eventhough, he has good running capabilities and a fair left foot... he still gets "disposessed" way too easily. What do you all think about how Ruud Gullit is faring so far? Does it seem like he's learning with each MLS game? In my mind, YES - but, I do think he didn't expect how hard MLS opponents are... and, that there are much more "environmental" factors that the US soccer game has to bear and deal with than the European football league. Lastly, when I initially watched this past game vs. Toronto... I was mad and cursing at Landon. But, after I allowed myself to calm myself down over the course of SEVERAL days - I do admit, Realistically, I should not expect Landon to make each and every goal. But, is it fair to say that we LA Galaxy fans should be less accomodating and forgiving during Penalty Kick situations?
mag

tower0surfer

Beckham always needed one good right back who understands his game. Right back should creat two metres of open space on the flanc so Becks can come from behind and cross,he shouldn't be two selfish at the same time and remember that from two of them- Becks is the one with best right leg! He never drible or try to beat defender. Beckham hates when his right back doesn't pass him on time or when he should ask for a ball. Neville and Cichinho were these ones,Klien looks the same as well. I remember he suffered very much with Salgado in Madrid and realy was happy to welcome Cichinho.
mag

I so agree with you,Laurie!
Many fans sound so pessimistic and there is no reason for that! You can't judge team on final score,yes we lost and made two serious mestakes in defence,but still played like a TEAM which is the most important thing in our case and created many chances. I'm watching Galaxy game from last year, thre is a huge positive change this season. Look,we can keep ball and make 4-5 passes,there is a connection between players.
P.S. How someone with surname of "Female pudenda" can be
good in anything....He brings us bad luck,lol
tower0surfer

I think two of the saves were actually great reactions and lucky. The one that buzzed his head was behind him but the way he brought up his arm he was able to get a hand on it.
I guess it is easier to sit back and wait to counter attack. Vagenas watched the outlet pass from Toronto's own area that ended up being the game winning assist. Gullit is going to need to learn that in America we play in 80 plus degree weather a great portion of the season, anyone been to Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York, or even LA in the evening, still is hot out in August. They look much better then last year. Still think that Xavier, Vanney, and Vagenas need to get released so young fast players can get playing time. We actually would be better with a more athletic young squad. Maybe we can bring back Harden for Xavier's salary, he went through this last year and would be great.
Klein is the MVP of this team again. No way does Beckham do anything like what he is doing without Klein sprinting 60 plus yards on overlapping runs. Albright is hurt again, that was a good move.
Lee

I haven't been able to bring myself to watch a replay
but live it looked like two of the misses were also
pretty good saves by the Toronto keeper.
Nicole

Yeah, Ronny, I'm with you. Landon is not to blame. No forward converts 100% of their chances. Everyone knows Landon usually converts at least 90% of his chances (I've seen several box scores where he's had 2 shots - 2 goals; or 3 shots - 2 goals). Sunday was a fluke. At least he was up there trying to score. As you said, Ronny, where were the other forwards? Plus, LD is not the only one to flub an open net in that game.

As far as the heat - the announcers said it was 102 out on the field at game time. The galaxy exerted a lot of energy in that first half (especially considering Toronto got down the field exactly once - and scored!) with their dominating play. They had nothing in reserve for the last 20 minutes - when Toronto, who hadn't exerted too much of anything, took over - coinciding with the entrance of Jeff Cunningham and, interestingly enough, Pete Vagenas.
Ronny

I never did blame LANDO, why should we, he tried. Converted 2 out of 5 chances, not too bad. But where were are other forwards? Its not fair to expect LANDO to score every goal. The majority of the blame, even though Gullit didn't want to admit it should have gone to Vanney. Allen also had a Golden opportunity early in the game and missed out. Rookie mistake.
Nathanhj

Laurie, generally speaking mid-day games in SoCal in April are fine ideas. It's just that this past Sunday was record breaking heat across the region (which they call The Southland, which, having grown up in the actual South, cracks me the hell up). It was 100 degrees by 3 pm in multiple places. Even at noon, it had to be 90+ on the field.

Normally the temps here in April are mid-70's at their height.