From Rumor To Reality: Gibbs to Galaxy

By: NathanHJ | August 9th, 2008

Or so says Ives in this post.

I’m on record in the comments of my last SBI Supporter’s View saying that I wouldn’t have used the allocation for Cory Gibbs due to his injury history and cost against the salary cap (not like I actually know what that is, of course). But I am not the guy(s) in charge of personnel over at the HDC (that can only be a good thing) and I guess their calculus told them to pull the trigger. I mean what with Benny Feilhaber dithering around not making up his mind about his next destination until after Bejing and all, go with what you got, right?

Let’s say that Gibbs is both healthy and game-fit, which would make him an instant starter. Do you pair him with Franklin and keep the midfield that same? And by “same” I mean using Vagenas, Pires, Randolph, Allen, McDonald, and/or Jazic somewhere in there. Or do you pair Gibbs with Vanney and push Franklin up to d-mid (a kind of stopper role in front of a sweeping Gibbs) and hope that helps with the linkage between defense and offense?

I’m open to both arguments, though I would personally lean towards Gibbs and Franklin.

What do ya’ll think? Is this a good pick-up for the Galaxy? What should the formation look like now? Who pairs with Gibbs? And, of course, how does this pick-up help move the G’s forward in the underwear model category?

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

« Rumor: Freddie Ljungberg (Yes, the Underwear Model) to the Galaxy | Home | Guess Who We Have News On? Kyle Martino, That’s Who! »

Laurie

Mandal, Nathan was quoting Ives Galarcep, who is generally one of the most reliable sources in MLS. But anything can happen before the contracts are signed, and apparently something else did. I don't believes this makes any of the people involved a "douche."
Mandal

He was acquired by Colorado. Who is the douche that posted this?
Ben

if aqquired he'll be paid with allocation money this year.

see here: http://www.soccerpubs.com/boar...
Mandal

Franklin moves to right back. Klein to Right Mid, and Beckham to the centre where the team desperately needs him.
Mike

To me, getting Gibbs is a baaaaaad idea. He NEVER played a game at Charlton due to injuries. So why go out and get a 31yr old, who's always hurt, and hasnt played in 2yrs? Its seems like a big mistake. Just like getting Dominguez.
Anyway...the ideal line up should look something like this.
--Cronin--

Klein--Franklin--Vanney--Jazic

Beckham--Pete(d-mid)--Donovan(attacking-mid)--Franchino

Buddle--Gordon

Thats pretty much all the talent minus Ruiz who has been hurt and couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat
Steve

I agree with the consensus about Klein going to right mid. Franklin would be great in the midfield, but Klein needs to leave the backline.
Franklin also isn't a 'natural" right back. He was a midfielder in college. He's got a lot of pace and ball control and on the few times he's pushed forward, he's been very threatening.
This Gibbs deal may allow us to play to our strengths. Allow Franklin to do more than clean up the backline's mess, but Klein in an area where his experience and sense will count, and allow Landon to push up more frequently. Only question mark is if Ruud is still going to make silly decisions for the other center mid slot.
My line up:
---Cronin (Wicks, Alamo, whatever)---

Franklin ---Gibbs ----anybody but Vanney----Jazic

Klein----Beckham-----Tudela-------Randolph

Donovan----Buddle
David

I have missed the past couple of games, so maybe you can fill me on on where he has been playing Landon. I have long believed that starting him in midfield is a huge mistake. He is an intense attacker. He is an okay midfielder. My problem with Ruiz is that he is too expensive to be a bench player, but not playing well enough to take a striking position from Donovan or Buddle. So if we can trade him away, unfortunately we probably should, even if only to make salary cap room.
charlesj27

If we have indeed acquired Cory Gibbs, who plays a center-back position that's left-footed... indeed, what is going to happen to Eduardo Dominguez (who happens to fit that same definition)? Suddenly, my mind starts to ponder about possibilities... Okay, I am going on the assumption that LA Galaxy have on many occasions tried their darneds't to trade Carlos Ruiz - no one cared to bite. But, now - if the LA Galaxy were to package Carlos Ruiz (Striker/Guatemala), Eduardo Dominguez (Defender/Argentina), and Alvaro Pires (Ctr-Mid/Brazil) together to offer... May be... Just, may be, some teams are willing to bite. In my perception, I see Fernando Clavijo from Colorado Rapids being interested in this offer... I believe he has an affinity for South Americans - in particular, Argentinians & Brazilians. May be, he would gladly consider a trade with the LA Galaxy. Carlos, Eduardo, and Alvaro to Colorado in exchange for Pablo Mastroeni, Tom McManus, and Kosuke Kimura to Los Angeles. This way he gets what he wants in Colorado, and we get what we really need in LA. WIN - WIN, no?
Soto

On Klein, I agree with TJ. Use this opportunity to move Klein up the field. He has made great offensive runs this season, but every time I cringe at the impending counterattack on his side since he's not always quick to get back on defense. I understand the attacking defender philosophy that Gullit brings from Europe, but until we HAVE a defense, I would rather that our defenders not spend time making attacking runs. So put a dedicated defender there (Franklin sounds good) and let Klein make runs from the mid-field.
Danny

This is what i would do
-------cronin-----
Franklin--Gibbs-- anybody but vanney--jazic
klein--beckham---alvaro--Randolf
Donovan--Buddle(ruiz sub at least some games)

i keep hopin gullit gives ruiz a shot cuz hes scored goals in the past for every other team, he just needs more gametime(and because im guatemalan too:)
jen

Alrighty, here's what I think they should do -- assuming Dominguez turns out to be a decent center back.

--------------Anybody (Cronin)--------------

Franklin-------Dominguez----Gibbs--------Jazic

Klein----Beckham----any of the many others----Randolf

------------Donovan---------Buddle--------------
TJ

I have been out of town, so my decision making could be from old news, but I am not to thrilled with signing an oft-injured player even though Gibbs if remotely healthy could somewhat help this hapless defense. If he is healthy and match fit - I would pair him up with Dominguez (is he still around or is he 1 match and done and back to Argentina?) and push Franklin to his natural position of right back and move Klein into a midfield position. I would force Vanney into retirement and Vagenas into semi-retirement (bench until end of season). I would consider either Tudela or Roberts for that midfield stopper position. I would flip a coin on who starts between Randolph and Jazic right before game time. I am not a fan of the right & left backs coming up into attacking positions that Gullit plays, but if Franklin pairs up with Beckham on the right side at least he has the legs to come back on defense much quicker than Klein. Klein is better served in the mid field opposite Beckham. That is my 2 cents - I am sure the Galaxy brass will have some completely different formation - maybe trying Cronin out in the field or bringing Donovan back on defense - this team is so screwed up that 1 signing is not going to do much for them this year - this has been over 3 years of total destruction of a once proud organization!
Laurie

Well, if Ives AND Wikipedia are both saying he's coming, it MUST be true.

Have we given up on Dominguez altogether?