Revs 3 – 2 Galaxy (Well, That Kind of Sucked)

By: Laurie | May 13th, 2007

This might be easier to take if the team had played consistently bad soccer over the ninety minutes. They didn’t. They merely played consistently bad soccer for several short periods. Long enough for three goals to be scored.

Is Taylor Twellman better than Landon Donovan? I have no idea, but he was last night. Landon had some good opportunities, but Twellman turned his good opportunities into hard numbers. If memory’s serving correctly, he beat Ty Harden for one goal, then beat Chris Albright (?) for his second. Add in the Rev’s Adam Cristman goal off a free kick and you have three points. Enough to give the Revs the three points. Versus our two points, which gave us precisely zero. *Sigh*

The first half was a pretty even match-up. Galaxy led 1-0 at the half after a far post rocket by Kyle Martino off lovely service from Pete Vagenas. Unfortunately the team then slept through the first ten to fifteen minutes of the second half, allowing two goals, and that was pretty much the game. Tyrone Marshall managed to tie it up for a few seconds with a pretty, glancing header that just barely redirected a corner kick to send it into the goal. Alas, the Galaxy relaxed for a minute after the goal — just long enough for the Revs to take the ball, gallop down the field and send it to Twellman in the box. Final score 3-2.

Robbie Findley was, believe it or not, a bit of a disappointment in this game. (This is the first time I’ve had to say that, so he’s still having a good rookie season.) Cobi Jones provided a real spark to the offense after he subbed in and consistently out-thought and outplayed his defenders. I love watching Cobi play. You know you’re watching the end result of many, many years of knowledge being applied. (If only the legs can hold up through one more season.) I wonder if the final result would have been different if he’d started, or at least been subbed in at the half.

And yes, I’m still loving Kyle Martino. (And Doug, I know you’re still disagreeing with me.) But he’s playing with such enthusiasm this season, and I’m finding that fun to watch. That first goal was a work of art, starting from the second Landon touched the ball and sent it to Vagenas. Vagenas then sent it with perfect speed and accuracy into the space that he knew Martino would soon be occupying and Martino did the rest. If you missed it (or just want to see it again), be sure to watch the highlights. Also watch Martino’s save. The startled look on his face when the ball slips past Joe Cannon and Martino is forced to whack it away from the goal is priceless.

Defense wasn’t particularly solid, and the midfield looked ragged too. They’d go through several minutes where they’d win every chance that came their way, and then several minutes where they’d lose everything. Maddeningly inconsistent. And I’m still not quite understanding why Landon’s taking all of the corner kicks again.

Oh, and how humorous was it to see Joe Cannon slide tackling at midfield and winning the ball off of Shalrie Joseph in the last minute of the game? (And to see his chest heaving afterward? Thirty-something goalkeepers just aren’t made for that kind of movement, Joe. But we love you for the effort.) And speaking of Shalrie, the Revs management should jump through whatever hoops are necessary to keep this guy happy. He’s that good.

In summary: Alas, more points slipping through our fingers. But we still have that Open Cup thing. Right?

Scoring Summary:
LA — Kyle Martino 1 (Peter Vagenas 1, Landon Donovan 4) 14
NE — Adam Cristman 1 (Steve Ralston 6, Andy Dorman 1) 47
NE — Taylor Twellman 5 (unassisted) 52
LA — Tyrone Marshall 1 (Landon Donovan 5) 84
NE — Taylor Twellman 6 (Pat Noonan 2, Shalrie Joseph 1) 85

Galaxy Lineup: Joe Cannon, Chris Albright, Ty Harden, Tyrone Marshall, Ante Jazic, Kevin Harmse, Nathan Sturgis (Santino Quaranta 77), Peter Vagenas (Nate Jaqua 57), Kyle Martino, Landon Donovan, Robbie Findley (Cobi Jones 63)

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

« Oooooooh! The Galaxy Game Guide! | Home | Galaxy Trade Rumors (Or: Return of Ruiz, El Pescadito?) »

Laurie

So Sabin, basically you're saying that we shouldn't feel bad because we were outplayed and outclassed by a superior team?

And this is supposed to make me feel better how, exactly?:-)
Sabin

Tough game for L.A. to be sure. That said, if we don't fix our passing game the next time around, I wouldn't be surprised if you can pull it off. Twellman better than Donovan? As a straight striker, I think so. Maybe not with footwork, but Twellman is hungrier for points, it seems, and has the crossing passes to help him out. Donovan just needs to stop acting like a midfielder. Parkhurst was right on, though, and he's a tough defender. Don't be too hard on your guys. ;)
Kenny

I don't even want to comment about this game, it was too much of a disappointment.

Okay, one comment, Jacqua sucks! Get rid of this guy!
nathanhj

Albright gets replaced by some foreign acquisition. Sturgis replaces Harden, Russell replaces Sturgis.

I don't think he was injured on Tueday (I really don't remember that part to be honest. I recall thinking it was because he was getting beaten like a Gitmo detainee.)

Greaham Jones in the LA Times floats the Pescadito rumor in today's paper.

All season I've been desperate for a midfield and it's not getting better. Having no strikers isn't making it better, either. When you have Vagenas playing attacking mid you've got a serious problem. Mr. Posh is only a part of the answer. He needs supporting characters. Especially when Donovan spends two months playing in the Gold Cup and Copa America. Shudder. The Gals could seriously miss out on the playoff this year as well.

Like the California Public Schools say about those in Mississippi, thank god for Real Salt Lake. At least someone's worse.
Laurie

I hadn't heard the rumors about trading for The Fish. That could be kind of interesting. I'm not 100% certain about letting Albright go, though. Granted, he didn't have a great game, but who are you seeing at right back in his place? Ian Russell? (Who is also no spring chicken.)

Do you know why Albright came off early in Tuesday's game, by the way? Was he injured? If so, I'm wondering if he might still be feeling the effects.

And I agree with you completely about Harmse. Flashes of brilliance and great potential. That shot last night was a thing of beauty. Great power and very close to going in. You can tell he's happy to be on the team and wants to make the most of the opportunity. (I smile every time he gets yellow carded.)
nathanhj

That was a fun game to be at, even if the results were not what I wanted. Having said that I'm not sure how many more games I can sit through with such a crap midfield and shaky defense.

When Yallop has to start Donovan on the right, you know there are problems. We've got a midfield with like 9 defensive midfielders a couple of injured players and nothing else except Donovan and on a good night, Martino. What about Jaqua? Well he's great if you like a guy who can't hold the ball in front of goal, makes crap passes, and has a first touch like a chainsaw.

The Galaxy have some serious glaring holes. First, the defense needs a major upgrade. Marshall is getting old, Jazic can't make a cross to save his life, and Albright spent the game getting beaten like he spent the night in Abu Graihb.

Second, see my assessment of midfield above (bright spot: Sturgis and Harmse though Harmse needs more time to understand the game better). I do agree that having Cobi on the field is invaluable. Too bad he's like 90 years old.

Third, there is no reliable forward. Findley has speed, but his IQ isn't there yet and he is having trouble connecting with Donovan. His runs did get better as the game went on. Lots of upside here, but in the meantime we need to win some games.

I like this rumor that has Jaqua and Albright going to FC Dallas for Ruiz. That would be fab. Combine that with a foreign acquisition in defense and we solve a couple of glaring problems right away.

But what to do in the meantime? I suggest making Cobi a 45 minute substitue for Jaqua every game, playing Donovan in the middle, puting Sturgis in the back in place of Harden, and putting Russell in as d-midfielder.

This just can't go on.