Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig

By: jen | May 1st, 2009

For both myself and the Galaxy.

I drove past the HDC while in SoCal and gave it a wave. My husband thought I was nuts. I probably am, but goodness I miss watching the Galaxy live.

I was also able to find a store willing to create a nonBeckham shirt for me. I have been looking and looking for a new Donovan t-shirt to expand my wardrobe. You just can’t find them. But fortunately I went to one of my old haunts, ProSoccer in Pasadena, and they were able to put Donovan’s name and number on a shirt for me.

That’s my daughter in the picture using it as a blanket while waiting for our red-eye flight home.

So on to the preview of Saturday night’s match.

Our match against Colorado may have resulted in a tie, but it was exponentially cleaner and showed more focus than previous games. This week’s game should see all of our best starting XI on the field at the same time. Wow! Ricketts, Dunivant, Berhalter, Klein, Donovan, Lewis, and . . . Buddle! I expect Buddle to start and make it to about 60 minutes before Gordon or Jordan comes in.

New York has not had a stellar start to their season, at 1-4-2. They have allowed more goals than the Galaxy and have a more porous defense. I keep saying that about our opponents though, don’t I. Hmm.

Juan Pablo Angel will be a tough mark for Omar Gonzalez. Omar has yet to tightly mark a speedy, footwork-oriented forward with great success. But if Gonzalez and Berhalter can keep Angel and Kandji off their game then we will win.

My prediction: Galaxy 2, Red Bulls 1

Other previews:

Dave of the Offside’s Red Bulls site and the MLS main page has written a beautiful preview with a crappy prediction. I’m not sure how he thinks RBNY is going to win . . .

Mark Rogondino’s View From the Booth.

Larry Morgan from mls.net.

A more biting critique from World Soccer Reader.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2009 Season, About Your Blogger, Game Previews

« Post-Game Analysis: Galaxy vs. Rapids | Home | Galaxy, Red Bulls Highlights »

Glen

The game was encouraging for sure. Donovan Ricketts made some great saves and kept us in the match. We had some good opportunities but just couldn't seem to find the back of the net in the run of play. I'll take that handball and the pk :) for the win. The defense played well and seem to handle Angel and it's great to get a win at home for the points and for the fans. I thought the galaxy played well tonight and is in the right direction, the chemistry seems to be improving. I'm also concerned when Donovan is gone this summer for the FED Cup and Gold Cup action, Buddle will have to up his game along with Jordon/Kirovski to try and create some chances up top for us.
James

I was at the game tonight and I have to say, the defense is a thousand times better than it was at any time last season! Omar Gonzalez is the real deal, and Donovan Ricketts is our MVP so far. It was frustrating to see so many squandered scoring chances, but overall it was a very encouraging effort and most importantly, it was a win!
nathanhj

I'll take the 3 points.

But I am seriously worried about scoring when Donovan leaves for two mpnths this summer. The midfield needs to help create more chances. And we don't really have those kind of central midfielders.

I seriously think that Ricketts is carrying this team. And that's noy going to be enough at Rio Tinto.
JustJack

Oh yEs! Finally.... I'm thinkin' I ADORE Donovan Ricketts!
JustJack

Oh, Edssoooon... almost, baby.
JustJack

Left mid was really hanging back... NY was exploiting that.
JustJack

Yeah the air's out of the sails somewhat...
nathanhj

Galaxy is running out of gas and NYRB starting to assert control.
JustJack

Chris Klein beats the younger boys down towards the goal... nice. If only...

And more odd "texting" on FSW's screen... at least it's lower left not in the middle.
JustJack

Oh! Ugh what a chance!
JustJack

Thanks, Jen. Good to be a spectator for a change instead of "working"....
JustJack

Why is there "math" on the screen.... right in the middle of play!?!
jen

Hey Jack! Welcome back!
JustJack

And I'm stoked the Hoda is available inside!... but I get the culturally correct issue about being outside. Nothing like the grocery cart-sheet pan broiler apparatus to make a tasty treat.
JustJack

The first Saturday I didn't have to Ref a match in months... so I'm back to check-in and watch! Excellent foul call by my friend Frank Anderson (far side AR-I think it's the far side... TV is always messing me up). And very nice follow up on the PK by Landycakes! Woohoooo!

I'm soooooo glad to see my boyz Edson and Sean out there... I haven't caught up on my MLSNet archives for how we've been doing but this one is fun to see... good working together and things making sense.
nathanhj

Probably the best overall effort from the G's this season. The midfield has a slight edge over the NYRB guys and tenacity and organization in the back has neutralized Angel, Richards, and Kandji.

Still abit tentative in the final third. Finishing is weak - lots of blown chances due to misjudgements or stupid passes.

Ricketts has been brilliant in goal, but I can see some weakness on crosses and corners.

Galaxy need to come out with intensity in the secobd half and keep the Red Bulls on their heels, get another goal and put the game on ice. Get the three points and some confidence going into Salt Lake on wednesday.
jen

The difference having Buddle in the game is huge. He hasn't had a lot of chances, but he is holding the ball well, distributing it well, and pulling defenders with him.

That through ball from Kovalenko to Klein was sweet! Klein's shot was a bullet.

And ditto on the Ricketts save. He looked like one of those frisbee dogs jumping up out of nowhere.
nathanhj

Goal! Landon!

Penalty off ahand ball in the box.
nathanhj

Good first 20 minutes.

Need a goal to get some confidence.

Amazing save from Ricketts on a sure goal!
jen

Klein creating more chances again. Beckham who?
nathanhj

Nice sequence!
nathanhj

How many chances are we going to overrun or have bounce over oir heads?
nathanhj

Gotta stop playing long ball. More short passes. Use Donovans cutting ability.
nathanhj

G's playing very aggressive in the first 5 minutes.

Risky too.
jen

I think the FSN guys must read this blog. They are saying EXACTLY what I posted. Wow.

:)
jen

Thanks. It was weird being in L.A. but having nothing to do with the blog or team during that time. Love my Donovan shirt though. Whoops! Better go put it on!
nathanhj

Welcome back, btw, Jen.
nathanhj

AEG has wised up and is finally selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs inside the HDC in at least one location.

Still cheaper outside and served with more character and authenticity.
jen

Shhh, Nathan! No blogging during the National Anthem!

(I'm in a silly mood tonight)
jen

Grab a hot chocolate. :)
nathanhj

Kinda breezy. Chilly breezy.

Gonna be kinda cold in Section 232.
nathanhj

Damn breezy tonight. Cool breezy. Going to be chilly in Section 232.
jen

Ahhh, I am high-def tv heaven right now. No black outs -- flipping back and forth between multiple games.
jen

Oooh, I like the line up. Tudela has become better and better at creating chances, and has always been scrappy as hell on defense. I can't wait to see Buddle.
nathanhj

Brit Night band is playing generic rock and roll.

Boring.

On the other hand the Norwalk band is now sitting and playing in general admission.

Maybe the Galaxy is learning from Seattle?
nathanhj

Starting lineup:

Donovan - Buddle
Lewis - Tudela - Kovalenko - Klein
Dunivant - Berhalter - Gonzalez - Franklin
Ricketts
jen

"Brit Night" seems kind of funny to me. Not sure where they are going with that, promotions-wise.

What's the Brit Night band playing?

Watching Seattle vs. Chicago right now. Seattle is down to 10 men and Chicago has been all over them all night. We'll see if they can pull out a 0-0 tie.
nathanhj

OK. The City of Norwalk youth band is here tonight. It is a marching band with a dance corps. They are marching around the stands in the concourse.

The unexceptional band they have for "Brit Night" is drowning them out once they get more than 25 ft away.

Rather have the youth band, frankly.