Love, Brazilian Style
By: DAS | September 29th, 2011
There cannot be a true Galaxy fan alive today who does not love them some Brazilian. A Brazilian apparently named Vitor, specifically. Twice now I’ve seen game rosters with that name and tried to figure out if the Galaxy signed some new player. But when you see our magical little Brazilian elf on the field, there is no doubt it is Juninho. And work his magic he did last night, scoring the game winning goal in the 93rd minute to keep our CCL hopes alive.
I’ve picked up a new hashtag I’m using on twitter, #thingsilearnedatthegalaxygame. Feel free to use it. So here are some of the things I’ve picked up on:
* Barret can only score from inside the box and even then only when it isn’t very challenging.
* Cristman is a big man who can’t head the ball. Get him out of the starting lineup.
* Cardozo has been an okay midfielder, but he is far more threatening as a striker. Sure, he hasn’t scored. But he had five shots on goal his first game in that role and assisted two goals. He has an incredible touch and plays creatively. Yes, he is short. But pair him with Keane and the Galaxy feel electric.
* Dunivant is a great defender. Not so much a finisher.
* Omar Gonzalez is a stud and I can’t figure out why Klinsmann has yet to bring him into camp.
* AJ DLG isn’t perfect, but man does that kid hustle and play hard.
* Frankie makes me nervous sometimes, but with 98% pass completion last night, there is no doubt he’s still got it. Might prefer him as a bench player, but still glad to have him.
* Magee. I’m a Mageek. Shouldn’t he retire after this year because it can’t get any better?
You’ll note I’m not talking about Keane, Donovan, or Beckham. As New York is demonstrating, you have to expect your DPs to play well. But if only they play well, you don’t win. And even if they don’t play well, a strong team can still pull through without them. So what gets me excited right now is the skill I’m seeing from our non-DP players.
I’ve noticed something about the MLS Cup. It seems that what really matters is not how teams have performed through the season, but their trajectory as they enter the playoffs. Last year the Galaxy won the supporters shield. But heading into the playoffs they were losing steam. Colorado was a mediocre team, but they were surging. What matters most in the playoffs is not how you’ve been doing but how you are doing right now, because once you’re in the season long record no longer matters.
Right now I’m hopeful. The Galaxy are not dominating games, but they are winning. We no longer have entire parts of the field where we are impotent. We have quality role players in every quadrant and they seem to be getting better, not slowing down.
I’m not looking at this team thinking we’ll need a lot of luck. I’m looking at this team thinking we can go the whole way if we keep playing well. Let’s hope they feel likewise.
@dschnider
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