LA 2, San Jose 0

By: jen | April 4th, 2008

Awww yeaahhh, here we go, here we go!

What a beautiful game to watch (in HD no less). Who was it who said “If they play him [Gordon] up high with Donovan running underneath him it might work.” Ruud? Are you reading this blog again??

My bullet point analysis — I actually took notes while watching:

* Donovan has got to play center mid under the forward(s). He needs to be next to Beckham and in the middle of the field to make those dangerous runs at the defense. He and Beckham are like this. Seriously, it is so nice to see those two reading the game and creating chances together. Donovan has seriously lacked partnership in his creativity until now. That’s one of the reasons he has always seemed to “step it up” for MNT games, but has been lacking at times in MLS games. All you Donovan detractors, this is why. He needs someone else to see the game three passes ahead just like he does.

* Alan Gordon, please forgive me for doubting you. The man was on fire, at least until about the 65th minute when his legs seemed to tire. He made some great runs. He got his head on Beckham’s crosses. He was able to hold the ball when necessary. Yes Ruud, keep playing him at target forward! I know he missed some chances in the second half, but he’s no Ruiz. He could/should get pulled out in the 70th minute. But a 300% improvement over previous games is what I’m seeing. Love it!

* Chris Klein, you are freakishly fit! I know that some doubt he is worth his salary ($190,000), but I beg to differ. Did you know he and Becks are the same age? And yet we keep hearing about how old Beckham is. He and Beckham also have a great chemistry on the right side. He is worth every penny, if not more, and he’s just the type of player that Ruud loves.

* And what about that defense?? Yes, Vanney is slow and it still scares me. But I could see him organizing the youngsters back there and being a calming influence. Randolf is fast and despite an early yellow card played very well — including a well-timed tackle in the second half. Franklin was solid in the center with Vanney. McDonald at deep midfield? Hell yeah!! He is an amazing find!

And now for the yeah, but. Yes, I know San Jose was incredibly weak (sorry SJ fans) and so we may have looked better than we really are. But that’s okay, because this game served to bolster the confidence of the young players and the team’s spirits. I’m not saying we have become the super club; we are going in the right direction though.

As a former season ticket holder I would be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to the fans. Talk about a 12th man! I especially could hear the Riot Squad singing and stomping away.

One last little photo for my smack-talking friend, Melissa, over at San Jose Offside. All in fun:

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2008 Season, Player News

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David

Have to agree with Nathan. Gordon is one of those guys that you keep thinking is going to be great, but he never is. I remember time and again last season thinking he was really playing well and getting so close. But he never got there. Ruiz was sorely missed.

Cronin looked much better. I was glad to see Randolph playing instead of Gaven. And Klein really is great. I wish we could play him in the midfield.

The real test is on the 19th when we play Houston. I am very cautiously optimistic.
JustJack

Such a relief to see this result, and the two fine goals. Yeah, glad to not have to see Harmse. ITA, good riddance to that clown.

My jury is still out on Landycakes. It'll take seeing that kind of performance and more each and every match and no more dumped-off "shots" into the opposing back-four for me to ease up on the boy. turf-touch, turf-touch, turf-touch, turf-touch, finger kiss, finger kiss, finger kiss, finger kiss, turf-touch.
jen

That is good news Frank. Like you, I'm happy to have our players avoid him on the field.
Elisa

Going to see the Gals next Sunday live! Can't wait!
Glen

I agree it's nice to see Harmse gone from the Galaxy rooster and glad to hear he got red carded today. He really is a piece of work :p
Frank

Kevin "red card" Harmse was red carded in the 22nd minute in the DC vs. TOR match today. It also means that he won't play against the Galaxy on April 13th. It's a good thing we won't have to put up with his thuggery. I'm happy he's not with the G's anymore.
Frank

Thanks, Ronny. I will be joining your group shortly and hope to catch up with you guys soon. Looking forward.....
Ronny

Yes Frank, Harry is our English Member from the Uk, we have about 3 international members. He had a blast and blessed us with his footie knowledge, also shared some Classic Euro chants with us which i hope you guys heard. Hes a good Lad, and is going to come back for the San Jo game at San jose. Our other UK members are planning a trip down here for the Chivas Derby!
Frank

Ronny - did your euro head of ops "callahan" have a good time. Impressive that he came all the way from the UK for the match. Please post some pics to your site, would love to see them. Yes, you guys did rock the party last night. Bravo!!
Diane

Thanks everyone who went to the match for all the details. It drives me batty that I can't see what's going on on the whole pitch -- although I wish I DIDN'T have to see the shoe-tieing!!!

Becks seemed pretty cranky after the match, unusual when his team wins, especially if he helps. A few people mentioned that he was calling for the ball and not getting it, but he doesn't usually stay annoyed at teammates, definitely not once the whistle blows when the score's right. Any ideas?

From the TV Klein looked awesome, Donovan and Becks yeah (hadn't gotten it about Donovan until then), and I think Mike Randolph is going to be great.
Ronny

We had over 50 easily, a great showing for our first time!
ACB is officially in the Record Book..!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!!!!

We have about 70 members on the forums!

Look out for us out in the GA behind the GoalPost at Galaxy Games..!! L.A. games are about to get that much better!!!
Frank

Excellent analysis of the game, Jen! Thank you for doing such a wonderful job here while Laurie was away. C'mon everyone....clap clap clap clap claP claP claP claP claP clAP clAP clAP clAP clAP clAP cLAP cLAP cLAP cLAP cLAP cLAP cLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP. (It's a standing O!)
jen

Yes, Angel City Brigade was in the house!! How many of you were there behind that goal? I noticed about 15 Galaxians and tons of ACBs.
justin

Hey JD Gordon misses every week! What the hell do you mean by one of those games? lol
Ronny

I hope you guys saw!! ACB was all over the HDC!! And what a great game, I love the sweet Music LANDO and Becks were playing, and as for Gordon, ive disliked him since we first got him, so many come and go yet gordon still remains on our team, and per the new MLS salaries for 08 Gordon got a Raise???
Chris

Now THAT was sexy football! Okay, here's my breakdown:

GK - Cronin looked sharper. Came out well on a few crosses, had a great reaction save on a ball shot through a crowd.

DEF - Much better. Vanney, though slow of foot, has a lot of experience, and he marshalled the back line quite nicely. Franklin was my MOTM, in my opinion. I was worried about Kamara's speed against a slow back line. However, Franklin did well to be in Kamara's jersey every time he touched the ball, leaving him no opportunity to turn and burn. I look forward to more things from him. Randolph was okay, but out of position at times, costing him a yellow card even. As for Klein, I kept waiting for him to crap out and tire, and he never did. He was NAILS!

MF - Becks was great. Nice to see the captain hustle his ass off and punish the other side's mistake with a goal. He also served way too many wonderful opportunities that Gordon flubbed. His combos with LD have me really excited about things to come. I also agree LD needs to play in that deep, run-on-to-the-ball position. Few defenses in the league would be able to contain pinpoint through-balls (Beckham) put into space for a speedy finisher (Donovan).
Allen was pretty good. A little nervous on the ball, but some intelligent runs. Much the same for Pires, although he should BURIED that bullet DB put on his head off the set piece.

FWD - Gordon is gonna send me to the loony bin!! In all fairness, he WAS getting himself into better finishing positions. Now he just needs to learn how to FINISH! Perhaps Gullit can lob a call to old teammate Marco Van Basten for some tutoring lessons. This match easily could have been 4-0 or 5-0. Nathanhj, you're right; how the f^%$ do you tie your shoes in the offensive third, and with your team in possession?!? I propose creating a fund to buy AG a year's supply of the Lotto Zhero laceless boots. Problem solved!

COACH - Congrats to Gullit on his first MLS win. I did notice a difference in the fitness level. Everyone looked on good legs still at full time. Perhaps he's showing the Galaxy how fit you need to be to play a full 90, especially at the level he was accustomed to in Europe. A full 90 there, I imagine, is much more intense than here, and requires a greater fitness level. I seemed to sense that, especially while watching old man Klein making overlapping runs from deep after the 80-minute mark!

GREAT JOB BOYS!
justin

Well I was at the game with our group the ACB and gordo should not be playing up top. He missed so many shots or chances for a shot. Hell at one point Pires put one back towards the middle of the field where gordo should have been and guess what he was doing tying his f ing shoe. lol oh yeah that is not a joke. Buddle should be the first choice, with Jordan and Sesay after him. Gordo would be ok as a 2nd up there but not the front guy, he could back Donovan up if we ever need Donovan to take a rest.
Michael

We should give Gordon to the Earthquakes, then they can have both our horrible forwards from last year. Glinton and Gordon, forwards who can go in only one direction and have no ability on the ball.

What's up with Bryan Jordan? Why can't he get some chances?
Nathanhj

Oh and WHO THE H*LL STOPS TO TIE HIS SHOES DURING AN OFFENSIVE BUILDUP WHEN YOU ARE THE GUY PLAYING IN THE MIDDLE? HAVE YOU NEVER EVER PLAYED WITHOUT MISSING A SHOE?
Melissa

I have my photo response to yesterday's smack-fest up here.

Wow - we were terrible. Now you are the second worst team in the League. Congrats!
Nathanhj

Okay, I'm going to harsh on the parade.

Alan Gordon has feet of stone and the first touch of a chainsaw. Forget the second half chances that he wasted because he can't get his feet to work together, the thing that made me despair was his second half chance that went straight to his shooting foot that he decided to take 3 touches with in the box and then shoot right at Joe Cannon. That was a one-time ball to the near post and that's the real problem with Gordon.

I loved that the defense looked great, but the defense looked great because San Jose's offensive firepower makes a popgun look like howitzer. They aren't easy to beat, but they'll never, ever put you on your heels.

The middle duo of Pires and McDonald accounted for an embarrassing number of turnovers and McDonald seems to be genetically predisposed to leaving his feet on challenges. Ely Allen still doesn't realize the pro game is FAST and is consistenly out of position, chasing the game.

In the second half Becks touched the ball about 5 times including the wonderful assist to Landon and spent most of the last 25 mintues sitting out on the right with acres of space waving his arms like he was trying to land planes while the play went through a quartet of leadfoots bunched on the left: Allen, Pires, McDonald, and Gordon.

If we play against any team with a moderately decent ability to pass and keep possession we are dead unless we can run the game through Landon and Becks. That's is literally why they get paid the big bucks.

All that bitching aside, I had a great time at the game and felt good about winning the home opener, even if it was against an expansion side. Getting Ruiz back is going to really put this team on another level, once he's figured out how to play with everyone, and that's something to look forward to.
Lucas

There's only One Alan Gordon, and he looks a lot better now than he has the past two years. He'll be just fine with those two fancy lads feeding him balls. Hm that didn't sound right...
Lee

Gordon was a bit of a klutz but he played very well
with his back to the goal winning and possessing the
ball. When it hit the 60th minute or so he was just
gassed though. I was wondering why Ruud didn't use
any of his subs (until Randolf cramped up) but a
friend of mine suggested that was Ruud making a statement
about training and fitness. Could be.
jd

I've got your back Jen, Im a Gordo fan too! Yes, he missed, wow, everyone has one of those games, in fact Landon has had many. I dont think Ruud intends him to be a big goal scorer but be a point man to hold and distribute. If Gordon isnt scoring after game 4, then we can talk!
Christian

David beat me on the Gordon miss, so I won't go there. What are your thoughts on that dude, Pires. I think he was a little wild, and his first touch could use some work, but I thought he brought a little flair to the game.

Good match overall, though it kind of slowed down towards the end.
jen

Yeah, I know I'm going to hear about Gordon. Go ahead and bring it.
David Martinez

HD rocks.

Even if Gordon was good, how many shots did he miss right up front? Or that dribble between his legs that he completely lost. He is a lanky klutz out there!

either way. congrats. Great win that robbed me of my sleep!