Galaxy v. Rapids, Pre-Game Look
By: jen | March 28th, 2008
The season is starting, the season is starting!
I’m feeling a bit under the weather so here is my abbreviated and linked preview of our Galaxy’s opening game.
From the official Galaxy site, a preview of the game. Two things that I found notable. One, check out the Rapids injured list:
COLORADO RAPIDS – OUT: FW Conor Casey (L knee); DF Ugo Ihemelu (R hip); DF Mike Petke (R foot); DOUBTFUL: MF Mehdi Ballouchy (L hamstring); FW Jovan Kirovski (R hamstring); QUESTIONABLE: MF Rafael Gomes (L hamstring); MF Colin Clark (L hamstring); MF Nico Colaluca (L groin); PROBABLE: FW Omar Cummings (R ankle) …
Now, check out our Galaxy injured list:
LOS ANGELES GALAXY – OUT: GK Charles Alamo (R knee surgery); DF Ante Jazic (R ankle surgery); DOUBTFUL: DF Julian Valentin (R ankle); PROBABLE: FW Alan Gordon (R ankle); MF Peter Vagenas (R quadriceps)
Do you see what I see? For the first time in recent history, the team we are playing has more injuries than the Galaxy does. I hope this is a new trend for our guys!
Also of note, the referee for this game is Abbey Okulaja. He is a superb ref. He tends to let the guys play and seldom does the game get out of hand with him in the center. Feel free to differ, but I love to watch him ref.
You can find the projected starting lineup for the Galaxy here.
The Galaxy have also officially signed Alvaro Pires. I love this guy. He is an excellent holding midfielder — he has a little bit of the “enforcer” quality that Harmse had, but without being so obvious. Lalas has also said that he doesn’t intend to trade players until mid-summer this year. Think he got it all out of his system last year?
So take a deep breath, we’re about to dive in to an interesting season. Go Galaxy!
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jen: I’m waiting to dish out the true smack talk until after I see your team play tomorrow. I’ll admit I’ve seen none of your pre-season games despite the fact that they were effin televised to the world. But I do have a brilliant idea for my pre-game preview that I’m itching to post already.
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Jen… yep! I noticed that also – for once, our LA Galaxy is starting games (hopefully) w/ fewwer individuals injured than what we had to witness from last season. I truly hope that we’ll have the minimal amount of injured players. It’s possible. Ruud and his team has the training and “know how” to guide this team into playing games without weeks-long injuries. I’m just hoping that all of the players play SMART – keeping in mind, that the season is all the way into November. Over the course of this pre-season I have seen our “mixed bag” LA Galaxy team improve quite a bit. The players are finally starting to trust each other and know each other. This is good… But, as you know it’s the skill, pace, depth, and strength on-field during 2008 MLS season that’s going to count. I am very eager to see how our LA Galaxy will carry themselves. I really think that as Galaxy fans – we have to be behind our team and supporting them as much as possible this season… Head Coach Ruud has said that he’s hoping that the LA Galaxy supporters and fans really turn out to be the 12th man on the field! Here’s to chance, golden opportunities, and repeating blunders from our opposition. Go GALAXY!!!
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Well said, Charles. I think you can take any lesser player and by training consistently and playing consistently with the same team (ie. not trading for a new one every two weeks) that player can gel with the team into an asset. I mean, train any of these rookies along side Beckham, Donovan, Klein, and Ruiz and they will raise their game. You always play better when you play with better players. So I’m not too worried about the mixed bag of low salaried guys we have. They will be the best of the league because they are training with the best of the league.
And Melissa? Bring it!
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oh. my. lord.
your keeper stinks. your d is slow. and suddenly, i feel much better about my Red Bulls . . .
Jen. Please. Resist the razor tonite. Life will go on . . .
4 – 0 with 82 minutes. Ouch.
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not the way we wanted our Galaxy season to start….
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what a cheap shot on Ruiz, rapid player should be fined and miss a few games as well.
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Quakes cannot wait to play the Galaxy on Thursday. But we are a Sexy Superclub and will do better against Quakes. Boy what a ruud awakening.
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I feel like i am going to be sick just finished watching the game and if Ruud does not kick every single one of them in the ass… I dont know god I can not believe that game. The only thing that could come from that game is Pete will prolly not be playing next week. F***!
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That was a scary game. As bad as LA was last season, I don’t think they ever lost by more than 3 goals. I have a feeling that Vanney and Xavier may be leaving soon — they’re just too slow, and Xavier made it worse by going crazy and getting the red card. I hope Ruiz wasn’t injured badly. On the other hand, now I’m interested in how the always-optimistic official Galaxy blog will respond to this. In my heart I’m still also optimistic and hoping that this was just a really bad game, and that Ruud will fix up the team and make it all better . Come on LA, do us proud and destroy those Quakes on Thursday — I’ll be there to support you!
P.S: Check out the new episode of “I’m on Setanta Sports”. Jose reveals his new signing! It made me feel a bit better about the loss: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS0VMVvysbk
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4 shots on target … three goals. That’s got to sting. Cannon will be sorely missed this season in goal.
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Agreed, that was gawd awful. I’m resisting the razors because I’ve got them in my throat (the sickness continues). But oh wow. I’ll have more to say tomorrow.
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Cronin…..Deer in the headlights
Defence…..Lost
Alexi…..Fired
Quote from my wife ” YOU SPENT HOW MUCH ON SEASON TICKETS”
Me ….. Doghouse
I THINK I’M GOING TO THE HD ALONEPosted from
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I really hope Chivas loses tomorrow. I watched the Galaxy game at Kezar Pub in SF today. Melissa was there and she seemed to enjoy our loss.
That game was painful to watch. I think it’ll take us a month to get into preseason form. Our best hope is to make a good run in the second half of the season and sneak into the playoffs.
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Uh – there is no need for me to smack talk after watching that game. All I gotta say is, if the expansion team schools yer ass on Thursday…
Oh and Cronin, I had such high hopes for him. That was awful. Finally his chance to shine and thats what happens? Ruh Row.
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Melissa was there and she seemed to enjoy our loss
…but I was hoping you weren’t THAT BAD. Anyhoo, see ya Thursday. I’m supposed ot call around at bars in SF.
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What a painful, nauseating game to watch. I bet practically all of the LA Galaxy bashers are rejoicing and revelling in the moment. We lost BIG! And, if you guys get a chance… On Sideline Views Blog, the post-game presser audio has been posted. I am amazed that Ruud and David can sound calm and composed after this game. But, David did mention that he or his team-mates could get fined for further bad-mouthing the referree’s calls. I agree w/ Ruud and David’s assessment. Our LA Galaxy team LOST the composure and resolve after the penalty kick ordeal. This is the difference between losing small and losing “god awful poorly”. I think our LA Galaxy has GOOD, TEAM-ORIENTED, STRIVING, ASPIRING soccer players. It didn’t seem like it tonight. But, I strongly believe that for the “most part” – we do have a good foundation. But, we CLEARLY lack KEY POSITIONAL players in our team. In my mind, without acquiring some very needed KEY, POSITIONAL players… we will ONLY have a repeat of last year! It was a huge gamble by Coach Ruud and LA Galaxy management to think that LA Galaxy would climb back in standing with just David, Ruiz, and Landon. Sorry, guys & gals… as you’ve all heard the saying before… “It was FAIRY TALE WISHFUL THINKING”. In my opinion, our LA Galaxy team does NOT have the skill & depth & experience to play 4 – 3 – 3 formation. To play 4 – 3 – 3, it takes a very fit, composed, trained, experienced, endurance-oriented team. I don’t believe even Houston Dynamo nor DC United can pull off a true 4 – 3 – 3. It takes the likes of Real Madrid, or AC Milan, or Werder Bremen – Bayern Munchen hybrid to pull off this formation. Ruud has the talent and the will… but, our LA Galaxy does not have the players. At present, I believe our best (in terms of reliable & reporoducible) formation is a 4 – 5 – 1. There is a LOT that Ruud, Cobi, David, Landon, and LA Galaxy management should take away from today’s game. I’m sorry to say this folks – BUT, we really do need another four (4) more KEY POSITIONAL PLAYERS from South America (Argentina or Brazil or Colombia or Ecuador). We need a very good, relentless Attacking Central Mid; a crafty, accurate, evasive Left-Mid; and, a Left- and Right- Defensive Wing Backs. If we have these positional players, our LA Galaxy will be the third or fourth top team in the 2008 MLS conference with absolutely no problems.
There will be people (I’m sure) who’ll disagree and challenge me on this – but, in my mind (from all that I have assessed), our LA Galaxy team needs to seriously let go of the following players:
Pete Vagenas (Ctr. Mid)
Alan Gordon (Fwd-Mid)
Ante Jazic (Left-Def)
Edson Buddle (Fwd)
Instead of these above four, input into our LA Galaxy the four KEY, POSITIONAL players that I had mentioned… and, you will see a MUCH DIFFERENT LA Galaxy team.It’s time to make the hard choices that need to be made – and, have only one accesptable vision and creed… “Whatever it takes to WIN games”.
Honestly, everyone – I know the next four games for our LA Galaxy are home games – so, in essence we should have that advantage… but, at present… it is just too damn easy for other MLS teams to frustrate our young + our old (age-wise) LA Galaxy players. Believe me, it’ll be too damn easy for Nick Garcia (SJ Earthquakes) to push our LA Galaxy’s buttons… and, I haven’t even mentioned all the agitators from Chivas USA, yet!!!
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Some way to start of our season. It was depressing and nauseating to watch this game. Wow – we got schooled BAD! By the way, Sideline Views Blog have already posted the Post-Game Presser Audio. Check it out. I don’t know Ruud and David can maintain that cool composure. I was closing my eyes and cursing at many points in this game. I’m sorry to say this guys & gals… but, we just will not be able to win any games if other MLS teams are able to frustrate our players like this. Bad calls are ALWAYS going to be there. In my mind, our LA Galaxy team seriously needs more DEPTH, VIGOR, RELENTLESSNESS, and CREATIVITY in Midfield… namely, our LA Galaxy needs these four KEY POSITIONAL PLAYERS:
Center-Attacking Midfielder
Left-Midfield Winger
Left- & Right- WingBack Defenfers
I’ll probably getan earful for this… but, these are the players (in my opinion) that our LA Galaxy needs to let go off and remove from the roster:
Pete Vagenas
Alan Gordon
Edson Buddle
Steve Cronin
I’m, sorry to say this LA Galaxy fans… but, we need more skillful, in-depth, aggressive, pacy players from soccer countries like Argentina, or Brazil, or Colombia, or Ecuador. The other teams in MLS are at a different level now – a higher level than last year. David, Landon, Carlos combo is NOT going to win us the necessary amount of games as many people think. I believe that our LA Galaxy (Ruud, Cobi, Paul, LA Galaxy management) have some hard and necessary decisions to make. And, they better make it very quickly. Otherwise, it’s just going to be a repeat of last year. The big gamble that Ruud was trying to take back-fired most vividly. Our LA Galaxy just does NOT have the skill, depth, training, pace, understanding to play a 4 – 3 – 3 formation. For that matter, in my mind, neither do Houston Dynamo nor DC United. There are only a few teams in the world that can effectively & correctly pull off a 4 – 3 – 3 formation for a full 90 minutes. Teams like Real Madrid or AC Milan or Werder Bremen – Bayern Munich hybrid. If soem changes don’t happen soon – we are in for more losses and disappointments.Posted from
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Just to make it clear, Melissa enjoyed the loss without talking crap. The team on the field did enough of that.
I’m starting to suspect that Ruud Gullit’s idea of “sexy football” is making other teams look good when they play the Galaxy. And now there is news that Ruiz may actually be hurt, not just exaggerating a dive. We need some rookies to step up big time.
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Ruud…altitude…refs…what if the players just aren’t good enough? Do you think the current group has the potential to improve enough quickly enough? And on the subject of quickly, you can’t teach speed so even if coach is a genius that’s not going to improve. I’m not being cruel, just asking opinions.
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