So How Does the Galaxy Fix This?

By: Laurie | April 14th, 2007

I’ve been a little hesitant to offer up my thoughts on the Galaxy’s woes, because as a new MLS fan I’m still feeling a little like I’m attending somebody else’s family reunion. This will be my own “family” eventually, but I’m not there yet. There’s no way I can pretend I have answers when I’m still at the point where I have to THINK before I can even recognize the players on the field. But I wouldn’t be a very good blogger if I just let that game pass, would I?

So let’s take a look at the starting lineup:

————————————Cannon————————————–
————–Russell — Harden — Marshall — Jazic—————
————————————-Sturgis———————————
———————————— Martino———————————
———————Albright — Donovan — Jones—————-
———————————— Jaqua ——————————–

Joe Cannon is a solid keeper. The PK goal definitely wasn’t his fault, and I think the Cooper goal was more flawed defense. (I want to re-watch it to make sure, though.) I don’t think there are changes needed here in the long term.

On defense, let’s start from the left. I thought Ante Jazic was strong. Ditto Tyrone Marshall. Ty Harden has a lot of potential and good instincts and will be an excellent MLS player, and I think he should start the next game to get his confidence back up. But after that, maybe spread the wealth a bit. There are several other central defenders I’d like to see play, starting with Shavar Thomas. And move Chris Albright permanently back to rightback. That’s the position he was born to play.

I don’t feel like I have enough knowledge yet to analyze the midfield, aside from the fact that something wasn’t working there. (Can we all say, “DUH!”?) But I don’t know the players on the bench well enough yet to know who would do better, although I did like the way Kevin Harmse and Mike Randolph looked when they were subbed in.

And also, this is where the stupid mom part of me can get in the way. Inside I have this sweet, soft, sentimental side of me that doesn’t want to point fingers. Instead, my maternal area wants to say, “Oh! Sweetie! At least you TRIED!!” But if the Galaxy want to even make the freakin’ playoffs this year, “At least you tried” isn’t going to cut it. So why don’t you give me YOUR thoughts on the midfield and we can use that as a starting point?

And up front… Sigh. Didn’t I read that Nate Jaqua was brought in to serve as THE strike partner for Landon Donovan? So the plan is that Landon crosses directly to Jaqua’s forehead, and Jaqua then blasts the ball into the net. Right? So what’s wrong with this picture? Was it all Landon, or was Jaqua also to blame?

Things really did seem to pick up when Robbie Findley was brought in and Jaqua was moved back to midfield. So is this the answer? What do you think?

Like I said, I’m still trying to find my bearings with this team, so any thoughts you have to offer are appreciated.

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Category: Player News, Team News

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nathanhj

I think I read that Vagenas woudl be out for a couple weeks, but I don't really know.

Quaranta could be great. I think he can play the left, but is more comfortableon the right. The left is a real weakness for the Gals, though the Thursday night game showed a lot of Jazic overlaps with I can't remember who. Martino maybe? Jazic is a very strong left back except for his crosses, which he only hits well about 1/3rd of the time. I really don't think he's better than Dunivant was. A Dunivant cross is a thing of beauty. But he's seriously injured as well, so its not like NYRB is getting any use out of him.

Really the whole Galaxy midfield is a big riddle that needs solving like yesterday.
Laurie

Ben, I'm laughing at what you said about Chris Albright. He is kind of controversial. Very dramatic in his play, kind of bull in a china shop. A lot of people hate him. Me, I kind of like him. He interests me. (And he was the preseason's top scorer, don't forget. Looks like we might be able to use goals from unlikely places this season.)
Laurie

Now you've made me curious about Quaranta, who I also like. I think I've read that he can play on the left, but I'm going to have to go back and find my source.
Laurie

Nathan, do you know how long Vagenas is expected to be out? Nothing I've read has given an estimate.
nathanhj

Okay, in some ways this is a make-shift line up because of injuries. Pete Vagenas would be starting except for his neck injury, which would push Sturgis back to the back line and Ty Harden to the bench. The back would be:

Jazic --- Marshall --- Sturgis --- Albright

Obviously Thomas can play in there some place as well and Harden can challenge for a spot. Sturgis will be gone over the summer playing in Canada, so you'll see both probably.

Midfield is much more in flux. Ian Russell for one, is a natural midfielder, not a back. Vagenas is out. Jaqua has the skills to play a winger role and is not as good with his back to goal like a McBride or Twellman. His versitility is an asset, but it does make your midfield more complex to plan out. Similarly Donovan is better as a play-making withdrawn forward so he can slip into a midfield formation as well. But I'd do something that looks like a 4-3-3, but really isn't:

Findly --- Donovan --- Jaqua

Martino --- Vagenas --- Jones

Really Vagenas, Martino, Jones and Donovan play in a diamond and Vagenas at the bottom and Donovan at the top and then Findley acts more like a center foward and Jaqua as a right winger.

Martino and Jazic have a lot of ground to cover in this formation on the left, but the right side is crazy potent attacking and the center of the pitch is pretty rugged defensively.

Ultimately I'd love to have Quaranta on the pitch as well and God knows what you do when Beckham arrives.

Maybe this:

Albright --- Marshall --- Sturgis --- Jazic

Vagenas
Jones Martino
Beckham

Donovan
Jaqua

That's just off the top of my head, though. There are a lot of pieces, but the biggest thing missing is the left side of the midfield. I don't know what you do there. Is Harmse good on the left? Is Quaranta? If Quaranta lives up to his potential how do you get him, Beckham, Donovan, Jaqua, and Findley on the field at the same time?

Ach. This is a problem I'm sure lots of coaches would love to have, especially those named Schmidt and Sarachan.
Ben

Same with me being pretty much new to all kind MLS aswell. I saw some achieve footage of some players

+
Goal: Cannon - seems a calm expirienced GK
Defense:
Jazic - good left wingback
Marshall, Harden looked solid mostly (would like to see Shavar Thomas aswell somewhere in there)
Midfield: Sturgis impressed as a DM, Cobi Jones is allright but doesn't last a half. Findley seems to surprise everbody positivly.
Attack: Jaqua looked dangerous when played upfront and not on the wing.

Would like to see Quavas Kirk, Alan Gordon and Santino Quaranta if they are fit and ready to go along with the ones above. They all looked quality on some MLS footage.

------------Cannon----------
Marshall-Harden-Thomas-Jazic
------------Sturgis---------
--Quaranta---Kirk---Findley- (Cobi Jones Sub)
--------Jaqua--Gordon-------

BIG DISAPPOINTEMENT:

Donovan - he's shyte ad standards, teamwork - seems way ovverated/hyped and is a primadonna-whining p*ssy - I already can't stand that guy now! and I've seen him play only 2!

Allbright - supposedly a RB, plays useless and often in a card collecting manner at RM. Maybe he's better at RB