Galaxy vs. Dynamo Preview

This team frustrates me a little like the USMNT. They have some really great players and some really great moments. But they lack some cohesion, confidence, and most important, consistency. This team is light years away from even last year's squad. But I feel like they are still in the rebuilding process. I can live with Beckham for half a season, which is what we will get next year. And it seems like the back line is in decent shape. But I think we need a few more young and able midfielders and attackers. Guys like Montero. Especially if we lose Donovan (which I think is only 50/50 given how much MLS will want for him. Okay, maybe 60/40 he goes). It would take a great deal of luck to win the MLS Cup, because we are certainly far from the best team. But stranger things have certainly happened.

thanks guys, it was fun as always chatting on the game.

Service = series, as in first playoff series.

So. Well. Clearly the Galaxy's problems scoring goals hasn't gone away even with a week's worth of rest. That layoff didn't help Buddle or Franklin get any sharper.

On the other hand, the team kept the Dynamo off the boards as well.

So, clearly no one wants to win the West this week. Three teams sitting at 45 points with Chivas with a game in hand.

I honestly don't see the Galaxy getting past the first service if they can't score. One goal in two games at this point in the season is worrisome.

well we got a point and after the play from the 1st half that could be good but we really needed the 3 to sit on top of the western standings. the next game is at home against San Jose so hopefully we can finish out the season with a home win.

On replay looked to me like Big B put his foot back to stop the ball. Oduro wastrying to tap it behind him and tripped over the ball as it hit Berhalters heel. I don't think he dove, but I don't think there was a foul either.

Oduro should be embarrassed for his acting, what a dive!

player of the match: Ricketts.

Wait. Who's playing with 10 men right now?

David, look at the replay again. Oduro wasn't even touched. He just plain threw himself through the air.

And there's the stupid Gordon foul you were looking for. That coulda been a red. Ugly.

Yellow to Gordon, just like I said. He's a menace for real.

Don't think it was a dive, but replay made clear Big B was playing the ball.

Please guys, play with calm urgency. Do that and we'll put one in the back of the net.

How does Clark get away with no card while Becks gets a yellow? And speaking of cards, awesome one to Oduro for diving!

Championship teams take three points here.

Telefutura not covering well. Saw a red on Ching. Was there a yellow too? Clark clearly deserved one.

Oh. Thank god. It's Kirovski.

Whoa! Red card to Ching for putting his hands on a Galaxy player. Wow. Kevin Stott is usually a very restrained ref. And Ching misses the season finale as well.

clark is a hot head

where's the card for Clark for putting his hands on another player

Galaxy needs to switch fields more often when it wins the ball in the midfield. We're getting trapped along the sidelines of the narrow field. Need to move and think more quickly.

so body slams are legal now :)

Ricketts!

Good job shutting down Holden who was in on a breakintothe 18.

Gordon doing well to force turnovers and draw fouls.

Another great set of chances in which the Galaxy could not finish. But the team look a lot sharper since landon came in. Much more dangerous up top. More chances. Better possession.

hopefully he can created some more chances and connect with Buddle

Gordon in for Buddle. At this point I think Gordon will be better, though I expect him to pick up his tradmark yellow from a horrendous tackle from behind.

since Donovan has come into the game, we've created some more chances and look a little better out there

Oh Landon! That was it!

Much better sequencefrom the Gaalxy since that foul against Landon. Keep it up.

Thank god Landin is overweight adn out of shape.

Game getting chippy.

Uneven through the first 13 minutes. Noone can extablish possession, though the Dynamo still look very sharp.

:)

Landin is quite the actor, besides he's kinda an a-hole

Glen called it. Landon in for Magee.

crap!

OMG that was almost it! Best look the galaxy had all game.

Thank god. Donovan's coming in.

Donovan Ricketts is no doubt the reason the galaxy are still in it, some great saves. I think Donovan has to come in for Magee 'cause Buddle can feed off him better.

First half done.

The Galaxy do not look like they came to win this game. They are getting outplayed everywhere on the field except in goal. The midfield is having serious trouble stringing together passes on the narrow pitch. The Dynamo are first to all loose balls and are winning most 50-50 challenges. The Galaxy players are collectively having an awful time with their first touch and the attack is asleep at the wheel. I can't count how many times the ball has gone to Buddle for a turnover, either through a poor first touch, an errant pass, or dribbling into trouble. Magee hasn't been much better. Whatever creativity he has hasn't shown up today. None of this is helped by the below par service the forwards are getting, though there have been several clear chances.

The only thing keeping the Galaxy in this game is Donovan Ricketts who has had three huge saves and the offsides trap. Otherwise a very smooth and efficient Dyanmo team could easily have had 3 or more goals in the first half.

The Galaxy really miss Landon Donovan who would calm this mess down and increase the pass completion ratio enough for the offense to get untracked. He has to come in early in the second half and frankly I don't know if he comes in for Buddle, Magee, or even Sean Franklin who has been below average all game.

Also Beckham needs to step up, though he's probalby suffering from the same fatigue Landon is. But really, the playoffs start in two weeks and these are the kinds of games where champions step up and make things happen. This does not look like a championship team.

Beckham's passes aren't his best but I think the most
part of it is people aren't making runs into open space.

Telefutura feed is awful but better than nothing I suppose.

Nathanhj, the offside trap is worrying me, we've been close to getting burned several times.

the passes are not connecting well today. hope to see Donovan come into the game soon cause we need his speed badly, were not making anything happen up top. Beckham's crosses seem to be off as well, maybe he just tired from international duty and just off. we need a spark in the second half for sure.

Darn, this is so boring.

Aargh! Buddle! WTF?

Attack totally leting the Galaxy down right now. Bad touches, poor passing, bad decisions contributing to no shots being taken and easy clean-up from Dynamo defense.

I agree with you Nathan. We've got to get forward a
little more. And Buddle seems like he's in slow motion.
He's not really making runs off the ball. I like the
way Dema is playing though.

LA living off the offside trap right now. I worry that we will be able to do that all game long.

American football lines help with seeing the offsides trap. Brad Davis was just robbed of a beautiful break away. I'll take it on the theory that bad calls are evenly distributed over the course of a season. Still, pretty low rent on the part of the linesman.

30 minutes in and the Galaxy still can't deal with the field. Their short passing game is really sloppy and they can't hold possession or string together passes that result in dangerous attacks.

While the Dynamo, on the other hand look fluid and quick. Much sharper. I have a feeling this is going to be a 2-0 loss from the Galaxy unless they can adjust pronto.

Trying to watch on Telefutura but the feed is awful. I did just see Houston almost take advantage. Hard to even tell who is in though.

Ricketts again!

Correction, a tremendous save from Ricketts, saves the Galaxy bacon!

The feed Telefutura is using is choppy and going in and out so I missed that.

Ugh. Magee totally blew a chance with a crap pass in the 18 to Buddle who has totally covered and lost the chance. Blech. He HAS to do better than that.

Especially when the Dynamo almost convert on the other end, just pushing the shot wide of the net.

Nice takeaway and pass from Kovalenko to Magee ends up being an easy save for Onstad. Nice work though.

Dynamo's potent midfield and front runners are putting a lot of pressure on the Galaxy midfield and backline. One time today the offside trap is going to fail and the Dynamo will have an easy break in on goal.

Buddle's brain is just not in this. He looks like he's physically ill. Like he's got the flu or something.

Buddle's first touch is letting him down every time he gets the ball.

Galaxy not adjusting well to the narrow field. Having problems with possession in the midfield.

Great shot from Birchall! Great save from Onstad.

Magee and Buddle up front could be good if they can get service from the midfield. Buddle not looking sharp 8 minutes in.

Not happy that they are resting donovan, but I understand it. Maybe a 60th minute sub.

looking forward to this game, should be a entertaining match