And the Torch is Passed (but I Miss You)

By: Laurie | February 8th, 2009

So I’ve come in here a couple of times to write my farewell post, and both times I’ve gotten distracted by other stuff I’m reading here and forgotten to write anything. You know you’re leaving the blog in good hands when you come to write and end up reading what someone else has written instead.

This — knowing the blog is in good hands — makes it a little easier to say goodbye.

Or…well, not goodbye, exactly. More, “I’m writing on my hometown team at the Seattle blog these days and it’s really lonely and I miss you and you’d better stop over regularly to leave comments, even if it’s just snarky ones about how our underwear model is second rate and you’ll beat the tar out of us on May 10.”

Yeah. More like that.

A lot of you have probably figured out that I’m over at the Seattle blog now, and Jen and Nathan are here. I’m glad (thrilled, ecstatic, elated, euphoric) that I’ve got such quality people ready to take over.

I started the Galaxy blog when The Offside was young, back in the early days of 2007, right after the signing of he-who-shall-not-be-named. And you’ve been with me through the whole wild ride. You’ve made me laugh, made me think, taught me a lot, and occasionally pissed me off. (But I always got over it.) But most of all you’ve helped me to appreciate what a fun and unique group of people American soccer fans — and particularly MLS fans — are. I have learned a lot, and had fun doing it too.

And I’ll always love and passionately defend the Galaxy (meaning the players, but not necessarily ownership or management) from all those nasty people who say nasty things. Because… Well, dammit, this is still my team too! Just not the one I blog about.

So now I’m off to remember how hard it is to start (or revive) a new blog and to develop an audience. After a busy, buzzin’ blog like this one, it’s kind of lonely, to be honest. But this too shall pass. And it’s one of the things that really makes me appreciate all of the wonderful people who have stopped by on a regular basis over the past two years, reading my thoughts and sharing your own.

I guess all I can say is this: Thank you. And I know you’ll give Jen and Nathan the same great treatment.

(To be honest, I’m a little jealous. But I’m sure I’ll get over that, too.)

So don’t be strangers — either to the Seattle blog or the The Offside’s main page, where I’m covering weekends these days. And you know I’ll be back in the comments here to rant and rave and celebrate and commiserate. (Hopefully more celebrating than commiserating this year — wouldn’t that be nice?)

Thanks again.

With lotsa love,

Laurie

P.S. Once Beckham is gone, do you think they’ll go back to the green and gold?

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

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charlesj27

From what I could see in the Seattle-LA Galaxy closed-scrimmage highlights video over at Sounders FC site, I believe AJ Delagarza was getting out-ran much more on the right wing than the left-wing. Plus, he looked like he was given the task of trying to stop Steve Zakuani. NOT an easy task. I have a feeling that Bruce and Dave are throwing the younsters into a "switch-a-roo" type of positional roles. (meaning in one half AJ would man left-back and Michael Gavin would man right-back; then, in the next half they would switch). Just a theory - I could be wrong.
Steve Cronin definitely dropped/fubbled on the ball quite a few number of times. He did not seem aggressive and steady at goal-net!
Lee

Well I can understand why they didn't give us video
with A.J. DeLaGarza getting toasted down the wing
and Cronin flubbing a couple. You can see one or
two good saves by Rickets.

Thanks for the link.

I know it might not be pretty but I can't wait for
the Pan Pacific next week.
Laurie

Oh, P.S. Thanks for the wonderful goodbyes. Makes it that much harder to leave -- you guys are really great!
Laurie

About the Galaxy-Sounders game. Galaxy are being pretty tight with details, but Sounders have some match video -- from a sounders perspective. I've got it up on the Seattle blog. http://seattle.theoffside.com/...
Lee

We'll miss you Laurie.

I was thinking the same thing about the Green and Gold.
JustJack

Oh fer crying out loud I forgot the end-italics tag... ugh.
JustJack

A. Aw hell, I knew this was gonna happen when I found out there was to be a Sounders side. I'll miss you, but promise to come over and poke and pick (nicely of course) on the new blog.

B. It's not fair y'all have Sigi when we clearly need him more (I'm still unsold on Bruce-the-Bull).

C. I want XBox360 for my sponsor not Herbalife... dang, why do the new kidz get all the cool toyz?!

D. If Becks is finally adiosing, at last I'll be able to buy youth jerseys for my offspring that DON'T have his name on the back. Even though I like David, it was really annoying to not be able to buy a blank or put a different name on it. My son still wants Sean's on the back.

e. Green & Gold.... welllll, I didn't mind it but I liked that brief stint with the White and bold verde Velez slash with the subtle gold piping along it. Course we'd have to switch back to Nike, which fits and feels better anyway. The seams on the Addidas gear is too itchy.

Finally, Laurie, you're the reason I kept coming back to The Offside. You're still doing the France nats right?
Glen

Laurie, we'll miss you here with the Galaxy but definitely be checking in on your Seattle blog.
charlesj27

I don't think I could say it better than Diane has said it. Laurie, you really brought a wonderfully "quirky" and outlandish style to this blog. I laughed with it, shook my head with it, stared at it for minutes on end in bewilderment, and, a "No, she didn't...!" thought many at times. All in all, you will be missed for sure. I know that Jen and Nathan will carry on for you capably and nobily (I think I spelled that right?). Wish your "new, now MLS" team well. But, I have to wish my team much better. Sorry, LA loyalty, and all.
Thanks again for your wit, writ, and wonder-pics!
playtherapy

I'm elated that you're merely changing teams and blogs. I would miss your zany wit along with your sincere and occasionally scathing posts (maybe not so occasional with the Gals).

Hope to read you on the new site.
George

Thank you Laurie, you've done a great job. But forget May 10, we're playing your new team TOMORROW! (Monday)

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls...
Diane

There should really be a five hanky warning with posts like this. I always mention that I'm part of the Beckham-effect, but in truth I'm part of the Laurie-effect.

When I first met Laurie: as with all La Liga followers at the time, I was monitoring the ins and outs of a particularly corrupt Real Madrid season when the who's-going-where!? announcement was made. Off I went to google the Galaxy. I remember finding your first post, cracking up, and knowing for sure that this was where I would learn everything I would ever need to know about MLS. Thank you for making American soccer lessons so much fun, for your inexhaustible font of knowledge but more importantly of potty talk, and for attracting really smart and funny (also potty-mouthed) commenters -- the other offside blogs have some nuts...oh yeah, well nuttier nuts.

BTW, Freddie was waaaaay out front of the pants modeling pack. The entire league will soon be limp with Sounders undies envy (if you have anything to say about it I'm sure). Good luck!