The Galaxy’s Unprotected List

My point exactly- a few goals would have lifted Nate's confidence. Of course, with Becks injury, little of this would have mattered.

Another thought- this sense of "sexy football" now that Gullit is coming. Wasn't this the tag the English National Team was given when Glen Hoddle assumed the helm? I mean, if you squatted on Le Continent for more than 15 minutes, you now have sexy football credentials.

Gullit definitely fits the criteria despite his mishaps with Chelsea. I find it ironic that Yallop's departure coincides with the advent of "sexy football". Had Frank tried to produce "sexy football" last season, it would have looked like a Borat porn film- imagine the ugliest, most repulsive people having group sex. Big yuck! Only the weirdest fetishist would appreciate it.

Likewise, even instrinsically implying this year's version of the Galaxy would (unlike the last) be saxy (sic) is insulting. Trade away Gullit's most promising talents, gather over the hill players, watch them get injured, now bring in players that should be playing in the USISL and you get (OHHHHH YESSSSSSSSS) pure erotica. Oh, and that's before you are handcuffed in making starting line-up decisions.

Good luck, Ruud. One thing you can't claim, seeing how the last manager's tenure played out; you can't claim ignorance if it happens to you.

I think Jaqua had that confidence thing happening too. He COULD NOT score in LA, aside from that one goal that got knocked in by some body part not his foot or head. Once he got to Houston, the cloud lifted, and he's been solid (if not spectacular) for them ever since.

He might have been able to turn it around after Beckham got here, but Lalas was in fire sale mode long before then and he never got the chance.

I agree with you Diane. What I noticed regarding his speed was his inability to keep up with quick breaking counter-attacks. If I've observed anything about Donovan, he loves lots of space to operate. Tight, jostling marking can sometimes disrupt his game. But in a flat out sprinting counter, he's phenomenal. Too many times Pavon struggled to be on par with his teamates, chug chug chugging up the field, arriving too late. I would have liked to have seen him play in the MLS in his prime, not the twilight of his career. AS a USMN fan, i loved his hat trick against Mexico in the 2002 WC Qualifiers. Yep, the doubt has crept in. At 34, can he still keep up?

One thing I also puzzled about was why was Houston "gifted" Jaqua? Though Nate was underperforming, do you really want to trade your tallest forward before reputedly the world's best crosser and set piece taker comes to town? After the players' return from the Gold Cup, Gray would have been even more expendable in an overloaded Dynamo defense and midfield.

Forgot Xavier (and to proofread my comments sorry). I think his attitude was fantastic, and he was really smart in interviews about the team and the league. They're probably more concerned about strength, speed and finesse -- although how many players don't present at least one of those concerns. I had mixed feelings about his work, he could turn it on but I'm not sure whenever he wanted to.

Re Pavon, even if he's great elsewhere he did poorly for the Galaxy for such a long stretch that he had that no confidence/desperation aura that marks not only hurts a player's game even more, but marks them for defenders. Don't know if he has the wheels, the head, or the spine to overcome all that. Again, maybe someone's seeing something not visible to a fan's eye.

The question for me is: does Pavon have the wheels to have a renaissance season or has he become so long in the tooth that they're tripping him (think Monte Python's tooth sketch). Pavon's 4 goals against a nonexistant defector ridden Cuba may have made Lalas a bit gaga. I don't see any MLS team in their right mind giving up much to get him. A friend of mine stated in his fantasy league, there's a guy you could alaways depend on trading you an All Star or front line player for a bucket of warm piss. Lexi is that guy. Don't expect it to go both ways.

Why get Cletis to leave him unprotected? Well, if he's so unattractive for the Quakes to pick @ 270k a season, why trade a 3rd Rd pick for him in the 1st place? Incredible!!! Guess LAG preferred getting him from NYRB rather than San Jose (what's the diff tween NYRB and LAG leaving Mathis exposed?). Hmmm, did Lalas think MLS GM's would claw each other out of the way- a la Blue Light Special to get Cletus?

Don't think so. The logic, as usual, completely escapes me. One thing that is absolutely indisputable- Alexi Lalas has access to the best ganja in the league. Perhaps Cobi Jones' MTV sponsored Jamaican visit to the Marley family brought back unexpected rewards... AND connections.

Always good to have a scout, Lexi...

The good news, though, is I can't see Frank picking Kyle when Harmse and Glinton and Cronin are available.

I was wondering why you were bummed that Ty Harden was protected. Did you go to Washington State? :-)

(It's Seattle humor. Sorry.)

And yes, I'll add a couple of frownie faces to your Kyle Martino comment. :-( :-(

That's supposed to be Kyle Martino.

Ty Harden :(

Sigh. I know it has to do with the international status, but still. *Sigh.* What's the deal with Xavier, anyway? Did he have attitude issues? I know he never played on turf. Did that have something to do with it?

The thing with Pavon is that if Xavier is available Pavon must be protected as an international so the choice isn't between any other forward and Pavon but Xavier and Pavon. The way I'm reading that is that the guy who said that Xavier was finished, out of contract and back in Portugal was right while Pavon still wants to play for the gals or some team in MLS even if they are not sure about him. Either expect him to try a renaisance next year with the gals or Gullit & Cobi trying to pawn him off to some other team for draft picks, allocations or depth players.