Comments on: Liveblog: Galaxy vs. Gamba Osaka, Pan-Pacific Tournament

By: Benes

Benes — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:24:38 +0000

Guys: You know that to create a better/stronger/winning team you also need to create a second team on the bench. I think coach Ruud Gullit is trying to develop a team that does not depend on Donovan and other players so much. There you have the case of the Dynamo where they have main core players missing (trade offs, etc) and they still play like a well greased machine. Let’s give the Galaxy some time to organize and get stronger, get to know each other and I can guarantee you that it will become a stronger team. I am glad that they are loosing and learning now so we don’t have pay for it once season starts. My 2 cents….!!

By: Laurie

Laurie — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:21:49 +0000

Nicole, I absolutely agree that the team was dismantled to accommodate Beckham. But Beckham has shown he can’t do it alone, and if we didn’t have the salaries of Landon and Carlos to contend with, we would have better possibilities for assembling a talented supporting cast. So in the end, it’s going to come down to these three delivering in proportion to their hits to the salary cap.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:01:37 +0000

Also, Laurie, I’m going to have to slightly disagree (sorry!) with your statement that Donovan and Ruiz have the onus on them to deliver. Donovan has produced every year he’s been with the Galaxy, leading the team in both goals AND assists every year and bringing a championship. This team was not dismantled to accomodate Donovan. This tema was not dismantled to accomodate Ruiz. This team was dismantled to accomodate David Beckham and only David Beckham. The onus is on him.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 17:03:16 +0000

Why are some of y’all in a panic? This was the FIRST match for some – most – of our players. We’re talking about rookies just out of college. And they showed promise. 2nd half was much better than the first…which is what you want. Getting better each half.

Why compare to Houston? They clearly came to win, they didn’t start (or play) too many newbies at all.

There’s nothing to criticize here. I like how Ruud is approaching this. NOW is the time to find out who can play and who can’t and how we want to play. Great learning experience.

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:38:10 +0000

Laurie… Why did Becks look so tired during the game? Looked like he was forced to play out of position for much of the game. I have to agree with Jon. Something is missing.

By: Dave Martinez

Dave Martinez — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:48:57 +0000

Houston won 3-0 v Sydney . . . puts the Aussies in their place!

By: jon

jon — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:32:34 +0000

I tivo’d this and watched the first 20 minutes this morning before I left for work.

As has been said, LA looked shocking. I’m willing to attribute 70% of that to it being preseason. But the other 30% is just plain old suck. The D. Not impressed with Cronin as your starter. I think the forwards didn’t have one bit of finishing skill.

Could be a rough year.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:21:46 +0000

My god, Laurie, my heart was hurting for you in that first half. Awful. At least they showed the second half was better. I’m hoping (for your sake) it was just one of those preseason days when nothing quite clicks.

On the other hand, as a Fire fan I’m wondering whether I have any completely used-up defenders I could trade you. Vanney looked slower than he did with DC United last year. We’re talking glacial pace. Think a Vanney-Xavier centerback pairing would see a few more through balls? Yeesh.

(And let’s not mention that Houston came out and just tore Sydney FC to pieces. That’s just depressing, except for the tiny frisson of yippee-we’re-MLS-and-we’re-a-real-league kum-bah-yah fulfillment.)

On the other hand, lots of information on the new boys. Valentin looked good, I thought.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:18:18 +0000

CentralCoaster, me too! They looked so…flowing. It broke my heart.

Melissa, it’s good to hear that. Ruud definnitely played this as a preseason to see how the newcomers played and decide who gets the roster slots. It looked like Houston came to win.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 08:11:26 +0000

Seriously? I thought Houston played terribly during the Kezar match in San Francisco against SanHo. Uh Oh. Either that means the Gals are really bad or San Jose are playing better NOW than I originally thought.