Comments on: Greg Lalas Says LA Doesn’t Deserve the Playoffs

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 14:02:38 +0000

Maybe the O’Jay’s “For the Love of Money” should be the MLS 2007 theme song. For example, this refrain is handy for answering B.D. Brad’s initial question:
“I know money is the root of all evil
Do funny things to some people
Give me a nickel, brother can you spare a dime
Money can drive some people out of their minds”

For those (like me) old enough to be wishing they remembered the rest of the lyrics, they can be found here http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/allaboutthebenjamins/fortheloveofmoney.htm

In seriousness, I don’t imply that this makes MLS different from any other game in the sports biz, there were just all those initial signs that it might be a little different…

By: Blue Devil Brad

Blue Devil Brad — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 08:12:41 +0000

Can I just pause for a second and ask a question about that schedule – but why did MLS think it sooo essential to get Becks to every city this year? I mean, I can understand team owners not wanting their team to miss out on the frenzy – but Beckham’s here for 5 years! You can get your piece in 2008! The physical toll of the kooky schedule really weakened the product on the pitch for that stretch, regardless of Beckham’s injury status during or prior. And it seems like there would’ve been no harm in saving a few markets for “Finally, Beckham Arrives!” headlines in ‘08, rather than the now inevitable “No, Seriously You Guys, We Think He’s Gonna Play This Time” stories we’re due for.

And this from a league that’s going to (according to rumors) cancel soccer in the city of Seattle for a year to “build up anticipation for MLS?” They’ve got it backwards! The Sounders need to keep playing, and a few markets needed to build anticipation to keep the Becks gravy train running into 2008!

It’s a been a rare example of shortsightedness in what has otherwise been a remarkably stable league. When you throw in Alexi’s many moves, MLS 2007 could be required reading in Sports Management courses in just a few years’ time.

By: Dina

Dina — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:36:33 +0000

Quite frankly, I just vote for duct-taping the entire Lalas clan’s mouths shut and sending them off on the next Mission to Mars. I think they’ve been living there for quite some time already.

Underdogs sometimes come out in front and yeah, it’d be a bit unusual (understatement) if Galaxy made the play-offs but…wouldn’t that mean they pulled together in the end (finally) and deserved it–the players, the coaches, the people who do the hard work–and the fans? Everybody seems to be in agreement Galaxy’s gotten the raw end of the MLS deal this year in more ways than one (I’m a big Becks fan so I wouldn’t say he is a raw deal, but the nonsense surrounding the transfer is…and primarily, things like injuries, etc.). And comparing Chicago and Galaxy, or really any team and Galaxy at this point, is apples and oranges.

I am dubious it’d hurt the league if they went on. I am, however, not in the least bit dubious that having the Lalas name officially removed from anything related to soccer for a cooling-off period would be beneficial to all of us. A suspension from the media for crap behavior, if you will. Book ‘em.

Mostly I am excited to see what the Galaxy will pull off next year, whatever happens now.

$.02 deposited. And thanks for your continued great work here, Laurie.

By: Lane

Lane — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:59:42 +0000

Greg is simply trying to save face for his stupid brother. Alexi is the one who can’t handle the pressure. If he’d have left the players alone, they’d have done fine.

And there is NO COMPARISON at all between what Chicago has gone through with adding Blanco and what the Galaxy have gone through with adding Becks – as you pointed out quite well, Laurie.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:51:52 +0000

Doug, I understand what you’re saying, and what Greg Lalas is saying as well. But it think it’s unfair to hold up the Chicago Fire as role models for “This is what your players SHOULD have done.” It’s not possible to say that Chicago has handled the pressure better because Chicago hasn’t faced anything close to what the Galaxy players have faced this season.

The Galaxy guys were pinballs all year long, being whacked around by MLS “leadership”, Galaxy management, the England NT, Real Madrid, the Brand Beckham bullshit, the press, and their own physical limitations. To blame the players by saying, “Chicago stepped up to the plate and the Galaxy didn’t” ignores the much more complex reality of the situation.

(Plus Chicago has only four points in the past four games compared to the Galaxy’s 13. Who’s handling pressure better now?)

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 23:34:40 +0000

Laurie, I think Greg was trying to say that Chicago is doing a better job at handling the pressure of playing alongside someone who should make the team better. They’ve concentrated on what Blanco brings to the team on the field rather than being blinded by the media pressure. It wasn’t about whether they were going to make the playoffs or not. You have to admit that, looking out at the whole season, Chicago has done pretty well and Blanco has been a big part of that. And, it does seem like the Galaxy, as a team, have played better without Beckham which we all know shouldn’t be the case. He’s right that if players can’t handle the “professional” environment of playing alongside big name players, then they should be in the USL where they can develop into full professionals.

To add another point to “why the Galaxy shouldn’t make the playoffs”, if they were to make it and do well, it would make the league look really Mickey Mouse. To be honest, there were games when I think my high school (GGHS class of 89!) team could have done well against them.

But, what the heck … GO GALAXY! Do it for Cobi!