Galaxy Loss to Red Bulls

By: jen | May 12th, 2008

Sorry that I’m delayed in getting this post up. I didn’t see the game until Sunday night and I’ve had a crazy day today.

So, what did you think? So many of the comments in the game thread Laurie posted were spot on. Here is a quick recap of yours and my thoughts.

* Not a horrible game overall. Just not a winning game.

* Whoever was marking Donovan for the Red Bulls was doing a fantastic job, because Donovan was the most ineffective I have seen him yet this season. His performance reminded me of the past two years’ games where he would just disappear on the field. Those of you who were there in person, I would love to know what you saw. Was he making the runs but effectively shut down? What was your take on his performance?

* Gordon seemed to have his feet under him this game. He played with relative quickness and definitely got his shots off. I’m glad that he scored ~~twice~~. Better play from him can only result in better chances in front of the net.

* “Greg Vanney!” Seems I shout this every week when watching the replay of being scored against. They’re not always his fault, but who was marking that nice diagonal run behind the defense from our left side?

* Beckham had an off game in terms of accuracy. Sure makes me appreciate how “on” he usually is. He had a great game otherwise (is it possible to say that?). He ran well, marked well, got open, and create chances except for his inaccurate crosses/corners.

* I love Franchino’s work rate. Love it! He and Chris Klein were, once again, all over the field.

* Mike Randolf really impressed me this game. He has so much speed and size. I’d like to see him take on defenders more. He has good enough footwork to give it a go — I just get the impression that he’s not confident in it.

* For the first time in three years, I actually had hope that we could/would score until the final whistle. I’m not used to that, and it’s a nice feeling. The Galaxy CAN come from behind and CAN produce offense, consistently. Wow.

It annoyed me that so much emphasis was being placed on the Galaxy moving to first place in the Western Division. If they had won or tied they would have moved into first. There were even some comments along the lines of, “If they could just get a tie here . . . ” You know what? Who cares? We have so much season left. Being in first place would be nice, but it seems like such a narrow vision for the team at this time of the year.

So I’m disappointed that we lost, but not worried. I am a calm, hopeful fan this year. How nice!

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2008 Season, Player News, Team News

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David

Modulo, I couldn't disagree with you more about Randolph. I saw that play where he held the ball. But I was looking to the goal mouth for his passing options and there weren't any. Rather than panic and give it up, he slowed it down and created some time to see if any of his teammates could get open. When they didn't, he at least forced the defender to push it out the back line so they earned a corner. I don't think Tudela could have done that.

What makes Randolph a real threat is that he is fast and can play both defense and offense. But he is admittedly not the best at either. He's a young guy though. With more playing time and more mentoring, I think he could be outstanding.
modulo15

Just watched the end of this game off the Tivo and had to find the closest blog to let off some steam. As disappointing as any loss is, I was so excited about the work ethic of this game by the Galaxy. Haven't seen them play that hard in a while. They wanted that draw something fierce at the end, but just couldn't pull it together. Reading some of your other responses, I just can't get behind Randolph. Yes, the guy works so hard, but he keeps blowing it over and over again. The play where he just stood there staring at the ball and defender sitting in front of him for seconds. I could have gone and made popcorn in the amount of time the ball just sat there (then got it snatched away). I just don't think he has the skills to be in the starting 11. Will somebody please pass Ruud a memo... "put Tudela in!"
charlesj27

I will also nod my head in agreement, by saying, "Yes, Nathan, keep pimping your SBI correspondent pieces here" - I enjoy reading your articles. You're writing (Quality & Content) are thorough. Good Read. And, a "point-blank" summary / assessments are usually given. For those of The OffSide readers that got to go to the HDC and attend the game; I must point out that Head Coach Osorio was actually on the pitch observing BOTH his players practice and our players practice. The man is a "shrewd and thorough" tactician. He chose the players that would offer the best one-on-one match-ups against our LA Galaxy team. The sad (and, ironically awesome) part is that there are many MLS teams that have players in their teams that match or exceed 90% of our LA Galaxy team. This is the real issue that Head Coach Ruud Gullit & Director of Soccer Paul Bravo must accept & address! I'm not saying this can be addressed all at once. But, I feel that it should definitely be addressed. As Diane pointed out, the rest of the team must become more solid, dependable, reliable players such that offensive plays can stem from them, and not always David, Landon, and Chris. Our LA Galaxy team also has to learn true discipline and quick-start readiness while on the pitch during games. I could see the "brimstone & fire" in Angel's face after our LA Galaxy tied... and, he played like "He was not having any of that" on that day! Our LA Galaxy plays against FC Dallas (an away game) and then come back to HDC to play against KC Wizards. Both, are not easy opponents. Man, can anybody believe how amazing Columbus and Colorado are doing? Damn - what got into them? Peace.
Diane

Can't be more well-spoken but happy to be of twin minds, Jen!
Although Nathan gets down to the very basics with:
"The salary cap, roster limitations, and weather conditions just don’t allow for any [MLS] team to put together 30 games of quality futbol."
Does worrying about which particular game we'll have to aver our eyes from add excitement? No I guess not. My heart already belongs to Saturday's FA Cup -- off to find a Cardiff t-shirt...
jen

Yup, Nathan, keep pimping.

And Diane, keep writing exactly what I'm thinking. You're like my identical brain twin, except you are more well-spoken than I. (Ever see that episode of "Friends" where Joey had the identical hand twin?)
David

Nathan:

Love your pieces. Keep pimping.
Nathanhj

Folks, interesting array of comments and insights, some of which I hadn't considered, some of which echo what I wrote for Ives' blog.

Continuing my tradition of pimping my SBI LA Galaxy column in this space, I'm doing it again (thank to Laurie for tolerating such crass displays of ego).

From the column below, link here: http://www.soccerbyives.net/so...

Blech.

Sexy futbol it wasn't.

This game was, in contrast to the recent games against Houston and Real Salt Lake, dull and spiritless. Just after I get done praising the team for their grit and teamwork, I get this piece of old laundry thrown at me. To be fair, on any given night in MLS you are prone to see the kind of thing New York Red Bulls and Los Angeles put on display. The salary cap, roster limitations, and weather conditions just don't allow for any team to put together 30 games of quality futbol. And this one was far from quality.

Obviously, the Ghosts of 2007 have yet to be banished from the Home Depot Center. The backline was shaky and the midfield's lack of a talented ball-distributor was obvious throughout the game. While the team didn't quit, exactly, they had no real answer when NYRB shut down Landon Donovan and David Beckham and with them, the G's entire offensive threat. The only real take-away I had from that game, besides a mouthful of bitter frustration, was that Carlos Ruiz cannot get healthy fast enough.
Diane

(oops, that was another "way longer than I planned" and after such a nice hey back from Jen too!)
Diane

Also, regarding whether extra-curricular activities have an impact on Beckham's game, he's arrived from further afield in top form on too many occasions to blame Saturday's performance on an event in NY that took place several days earlier. But, if that changes and a hue and cry becomes necessary, it will be handy to keep in mind that much of what he shows up for during the season is neither recreational nor purely optional.

As is the case for every high-revenue athlete to one extent or another: EVERYONE, from the Galaxy to MLS, and each team in the league, to England NT to Real Madrid and ManU (still selling Beckham shirts), to theoffside's own pure self, makes more money every time Beckham shows up at a high profile event. While some view sponsors as a separate profit-only category, Adidas' interests are no different than those of the teams' or the media and all of them are inextricably co-dependent -- plus those Think Big ads might be my favorite thing in world football at the moment...TOO cute.

If someone else hadn't sent a private jet for the Beckhams last week, Lalas might have and paid a bare fraction of what the team would have had to spend for the publicity it got in every paper around the world that said "LA Galaxy midfielder, ..." under each the red carpet photo. Whether or not Beckham enjoys a particular appearance or not, they are most certainly part of his "job" in opening up new markets for his stakeholders -- oops I mean building soccer in the U.S. ;-) . Even if Beckham and his wife were to cast off all interest in material wealth :) , "building the brand" supports a rather large circle of businesses and agents that all have their hands in each other's pockets.

I'm offering no sympathy, and Beckham asks none, these are well thought out commitments, he knows exactly who profits how, and exerts unusual control over how he is placed in the equation. Personally, he's clearly not overly inhibited, he seems to thrive on pressure (we'll see how much), and he claims that the things he can do because of his fame (apart from being rich of course) mean something to him.

I did enjoy the fact that Laurie's intro to the new beckham page was accompanied by an early ad for his first sponsor -- that came out soon after the famous wonder goal at Wimbledon kicked off his renown. The start of the best and (worst?) in one shot!
jen

Thanks for the welcome back, guys.

I am nodding my head in agreement with just about everyone. I, too, see this season as only getting better because of what Diane said:

"It will be easier on both Becks and Donovan as the rest of the team becomes more of a threat to be reckoned with."

I'm really enjoying myself this season.
Diane

Hi Jen, nice to see you back, and nice summary. Add me to the Randolph and Klein supporters, probably leaning toward Randolph on the wing as opposed to left back even though he doesn't have the accuracy yet. He's fast and its hard to find left footed wings.

I don't think people (apart from Dave the RB blogger!) gave the Red Bulls enough credit for the Galaxy's problems. Their supposedly weak defense did a great job isolating Donovan and Beckham, and they stayed reasonably organized even without Reyna and Stammler.

Truth is that whenever the Galaxy play a team that has a decent distribution of talent throughout the pitch its going to be tough because the Galaxy have too many gaping holes that don't require the keenest eye or extraordinary skilll to take advantage of.

As for Beckham's weak night--yeah its going to be tough finding space while marked so consistently, more than he's probably been used to at club level every week, and he's got Ruud (still loving that guy) firm on positioning. So that's the new world for him, not close to as tough as others have been so hopefully that part gets sorted. It will be easier on both Becks and Donovan as the rest of the team becomes more of a threat to be reckoned with. Even without that, though, there will be off nights.
David

Even though this was a loss, the guys looked like a viable team. They are starting to come together and it is exciting.

Individually, Vanney had a very good game. He was playing left back and finally seemed to be shutting down the runs.

Donovan was a non-entity. He had a couple of good runs where he just failed to get the shot off in time, but it seemed to me like NY was just ready for him.

Becks played well, although he and Klein did not seem to be communicating all that well.

Klein played better, but still lacked the pop he had last season. Again, as great as he is, I don't think he has a good place in this team and we should trade him for a real right back.

Gordon certainly looked better tonight, but he is still so-so. I can't wait for Ruiz to return. When is he coming back?

Mike Randolph works his tushy off. That kid runs hard. Skill wise he was a bit disappointing, but man was he trying. Love that kid. Worth every penny and then some.

Franchino and McDonald both had solid performances in the midfield. Roberts was okay, but is generally disappointing. I couldn't really judge Franklin. And Rob, I agree with you, Cronin is scary!

That second goal was awful. Basically, the Galaxy were still celebrating and just didn't get set up for the restart. It looked like Angel just dribbled around them and put it in. Terrible.

Worst/funniest part of the game came after Gordon's goal. Landycakes was so excited he used both hands and hit Gordon in the upper chest real hard. Gordon was jumping and basically flew back. Guess Landy forgot about his shoulder injury because Gordon walked off wincing in pain. He actually bent over and put his hand on his shoulder. Landon walked over and had to apologize to him. Thankfully, he was okay.
charlesj27

I will give Dave this... I was pleasantly surprised at how good the back three for NY Red Bulls were. They really maintained good effective coverage and pressure. Alan Gordon's second-half goal was sheer will and determination. Good for Gordo - I think he really needed this goal. I will admit I was a very staunch critic of Alan Gordon for much of last season and beginning of this season. I do agree, Glen... our LA Galaxy team is getting better and more cohesive with each competitive MLS game they play. Man, David and Dave were at each other's personal space. I mean, they both did what they had to do... and, that certainly added to the tension of this past game. Glen, as you said - slowly, by slowly - my happiness (and, I guess my long-lost faith) in our LA Galaxy team is coming back now. I really hope that we have much fewer injuries this season and into next. I hope that we don't have critical players out for a month at a time. That would suck!
By the way - it's good to have you back blogging here again, jen!
Rob

I was there and what wasn't too upset with the effort except for Cronin and Gordon. I don't know if you could see it in TV but on at least 4 occasions the ball was being brought up the field from behind Gordon and he had no idea until the ball was right on him. He acted suprised to have have the ball at his feet. Cronin just scares the hell out of me. Donavan worked it everyway he could but we just couldn't put it in the net. Sometimes we are going to lose despite there best efforts.
Glen

My feelings about our beloved Galaxy are changing from were gonna get blown out again or just embarrassed (past couple seasons) in almost every game to one that really has me excited about the team. I'm gaining confidence in our team and have the feeling going into each game now thinking we have a good chance in winning or coming back from a goal or two down. Even though we lost the last game, they're playing better and gaining chemistry together. It's still early in the season...
jen

Thanks Dave!! I knew you would chime in. And I swear I was going to check your RB blog out this evening.

Jeff Parke -- kudos to him. He did a GREAT job. Took Landon right out of it.
Dave Martinez

That guy marking Lando? Jeff Parke Baby! With a Goldthwaite assist. But he did do an incredible job. I named him my player of the week.

And I will give you this - the Gals did attack to the last minute.