Thinking About the Galaxy Game

By: Laurie | April 27th, 2008

Are we still on cloud nine?

The thing about this game is that it was about so much more than just this game.

It was about the Chivas rivalry, of course. It was about the bruised egos that came from the last Chivas game — that brutal 0-3 loss.

But more than that, it was about what the season is going to look like. It was about whether those glimmers of hope from the last two games were going to remain just glimmers, or whether they would turn into something real. Like, y’know, wins. It was about whether this team can ever live up to the expectations and potential of being Team Beckham.

Of course, you can’t make judgments based on one game, but we may be starting to see some answers.

Here’s what I saw:

First off, when you compare this to last year, the main thing that stands out is this: WE HAVE OPTIONS!!! Last year, especially with Beckham out, all our opponents had to do was shut down Donovan. We had no Plan B. This year when they shut down one player, he can send the ball elsewhere. When Beckham comes up the right and finds he’s going nowhere, he can send it to Donovan in the box. Or he can switch it to Randolph on the left. Or Klein can overlap and take it further up, freeing Beckham to create an opportunity elsewhere. Or he can even send it to Gordon. (Gordon?!?!? Yes, Gordon.) And even when Beckham’s not having his best game, like he wasn’t last night, we can still score five (FIVE!) goals. So, yes, it’s a little bit different from last year.

Speaking of Alan Gordon, did he just have the most beautiful smile in the universe after that second goal last night? I believe that was a “my first goal was NOT a fluke and I AM capable of scoring” smile. I’d like to see that smile again.

Up front, when Carlos Ruiz is back, I’m seeing him starting up front with Landon, with Gordon coming in as a supersub. What do you think?

And so. Yeah. Joey Franchino. Alexi, I was wrong to have doubted you. (This time.) Franchino and Brandon McDonald together give the team a central midfield that can get the job done. And I’m thinking Franchino and Pires would be the same. (But with more yellow cards.)

But enough happy stuff. Let’s talk defense.

Oh, wait, even here we can add one more happy. Sean Franklin. Even with the mohawk.

And I was really glad to see Franklin on central defense again. It makes sense to put him in the middle and Greg Vanney at leftback, just to get some speed in central defense. But if Vanney’s our new starting leftback, when Ante Jazic comes back I’m seeing high-priced redundancy. I’m thinking Jazic was a Frank Yallop guy, so I’m guessing he’ll be gone. What do you think? Should Vanney be our starting leftback? (I’m not convinced one way or the other.)

Chris Klein definitely had an off night last night, but everybody deserves one of those every once in awhile, especially when it doesn’t affect the outcome. I’m still loving Klein and not willing to throw him under the bus just yet. I think I say this every game, but when he’s on, he and Beckham on the right can be magical.

Which leaves us with Xavier and Cronin. Cronin seemed to get more confident and decisive as the night went on, and that’s a good thing. Ruud seems committed to him, which says something. I think a lot of what comes across as imperfection is actually lack of confidence. (I think.) If that’s the case he’ll get stronger as the year goes on. And until then, our best hope is to keep the ball in the other half of the field. Which should be our overall game plan anyway. So we’re good. Right?

And last Abel Xavier. I like Xavier. He has character. He is a character. He plays with heart. Saying we should get rid of him would cause me pain in my maternal area.

So I’m done now.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2008 Season, Player News

« Who Are These Guys?!?! Galaxy 5-2 Chivas | Home | Ruud Says the Galaxy Can’t do Sexy Football »

Tilyerded

Nathanhj... I definitely can be accused of overreacting to the turf issues in my "third rate" comment, but I am frustrated that a league that plays summers has teams that rely on turf. RSL is understandable, but we have other teams that are long-term MLS that are still using "green pavement" with no intention of upgrading in the near term. And given that we are trying to upgrade our credibility, I just have no rational explanation for this. The talent on the field isn't subject to my aspersion, just the facilities they are subject to play on. Cheers for setting me straight. Go Galaxy!!
Nathanhj

Tilyerded,

RSL uses turf because they don't have their own stadium. When they do they will have grass. FIFA allows turf in lots of places besides MLS, notably including the Russian first division. Also, the northern leagues you cite actually take a big break during their season because of the weather. If they didn't they might have turf issues as well, jsut different ones (in this case playing on grass that plays like a sheet of ice).

Can't say that I think MLS is a 3rd rate league. I'd put it squarely in the top 15-20 of leagues worldwide, which I think makes it a lot closer to first than third, but not I'm probably going to be accused of shameless boosterism and an inability to cogently evaluate the talent on the field. Such is life.
Jan

Love your 'Post'.... i'm with you on Xavier.. he works Hard and helps Cronin's little 'hesitations'... and while i think/hope Cronin has real potential...looks like he needs to work with the Goal Coach more. I've nicknamed Franchino 'The Bulldog' and am crossing my fingers he lives up to the name Even More!!!! Congrats Lando And Gordo, keep 'em coming! Go Galaxy.
Tilyerded

After watching the game at the HDC and then going home and seeing the replay and reviewing highlights, I feel like the criticism of Xavier is truly unwarranted. I will give him a bit of a thrashing for the missed ball on the second goal, but the biggest error was Cronin leaving the gate open chasing the ball down the line when McDonald clearly had the assignment. McDonald backed off after seeing Cronin (who completely fumbled any recovery of the ball) and the goal was wide open for the taking. Xavier is one of the biggest differences I have seen the past two games on defense. He consistently gets to the headers that our shorter defenders have no chance at, and his organization of the back line helps to overcome the lack of experience in Cronin (as it's usually the keeper that provides that structure). Before the halftime substitution against Houston, our central defense was a shambles. Vanney is a shadow of his former self and moving him left and Franklin to center has shored that up a bit. But you could see a distinct difference in our back line when Xavier and Franchino entered the game and that tenacity continued in the game against Chivas.

My only concern for Xavier is his inability to play on the artificial turf (who is our starting backline at RSL on Saturday?). Lord only knows why that surface is even used in MLS. And don't go telling me that its used in the regions where its difficult to deal with the elements. Northern European leagues have much worse conditions (and they play during the winter) yet they seem to be able to maintain a grass pitch, so don't use that tired excuse. Until we rid ourselves of that phenomenon, we will still be third rate on an international level and significantly shorten the careers of our players.

All that rant aside, I was very excited to see the lads play at such a level and I hope we work hard to build on this success. Go Galaxy!!
JustJack

I was so happy Saturday nite. Ms. Jack was crying in disbelief that we'd not merely won but won so handily and well played. I've never seen her get that emotional over an MLS match. I'm almost willing to take back every gnarly thing I said about Landycakes... he's still no Drogs but he's definitely improving in my estimation and esteem. I still wanna know about the five-count chest pat OCD thing he's added to the finger/turf-kissin'... At least now that he's slamming balls into the net past two matches I can find it humorous instead of annoying. If that's what it takes Lando, pat and kiss away! Hooohooo!

Vanney still has to go... too old, too fat, too sloowww. The funniest damned thing was watching Joey. I remember when he was here the first time and we used to heckle him every time he missed a pass (99% of the time) or made traps that shot back out like twenty feet (my kids trap tighter). But watching him Saturday night was a revelation. Sure he's still a pissant little arse but he was thoroughly getting things done, winning balls, attacking everything like it was a great white's feeding frenzy. I loved it. Ms. Jack couldn't believe that was arrogant little Joey-Franc. Welcome back to LA, Joey. I'm impressed.

Alan Gordon.. holy smoking aces, batman... what a pair of zingers (Glad the AR was a little behind for the one he finished off Guzan). I never even finished my beer... it was too damned thrilling of a match, and just shocking. Only thing better would to have been at the HDC when the boys brought down the house (although apparently it was good not to be in the parking lot).

Becks said it best after the match when he questioned about what had changed (why he and Lando were clicking all of a sudden, and Gordon's goals--being there when he had to be): "Well, we've all been in trainin' togevuh everyday. You make things happen that way." Indeed.

With much gratitude, fine men in white & blue...much gratitude.
RHYbread

I think everyone will be in for a pleasant surprise when Julian Valentin cracks the starting line-up. He was a king at Wake Forest, rarely out of position, a great organizer of the entire team as captain and as a central defender, and very clean overall making few mistakes and out of control tackles.

I watched lots of NCAA games the past two years and he has the championship pedigree and big team (US U-17/20) experience to make an impact in MLS.

He's made the bench lately. It's only a matter of time till Gullit gives him the call if the Galaxy keep giving up goals, or one of our first choice defenders gets injured
Nathanhj

Bob,

I hope for the same thing, but I suspect it won't happen. We're not deep enough to be able to bring on dangerous enough players or create enough folks to be able to do much without them, even with Ruiz. He's going to be starved for service and our possesstion game is going to suck.

Hopefully we can win enough 5-4 games between now and then to stockpile points. We'll see. If the guys can win a few on the road, then I'll start thinking October thoughts.
Nathanhj

Laurie,

I agree with lots of what you are saying. I'm going to chime in on your observations.

Options: Yes, we have options now. One thing that plays into that is playing with confidence and with familiarity. Last year's injuries not only robbed us of confidence, they robbed the players of any kind of steadiness and understanding of each other's play. And, of course, of the most talented players.

Gordon: I've taken that boy out back and thrashed him the past three weeks, but on Saturday he showed how he can contribute: as a late-game sub, just as you suggest. I don't think he's an MLS starter, but with the current team, he could be good for 8-10 goals as a sub.

Franchino and McDonald are going to be a very serviceable defensive midfield tandem. I wouldn't bring Pires back unless there's an injury or Franchino flips out.

Backline: Sean Franklin is my early Rookie of the Year. The vanney-franklin switch was good tactics. Last year the left was fairly weak. This year it has a lot of options, though none of them are truly overwhelming. Randolph could be very good there by the end of the year, however, if he keeps learning and continues to gain confidence. So I don't know what you do with Jazic and Vanney and Xavier when they are all healthy. Jazic probably has the biggest trade value, but he's also better at left back than Vanney. Abel's great in the air and with his positioning, but he's slowing down rapidly and he makes about 3 huge mistakes a game. Putting on the field is always a gamble.

Finally, I took Cronin to task this week in my SBI column for both goals, but didn't give him any credit for what he did right. I'll do that here and say that he can play well and he does show flashes of confidence, the kind of attitude that says "anything in the penalty box is mine". But he's still not a top-level MLS keeper. Could get there though, so I'm not interested in calling for his head.
tower0surfer

So how does the ball get under Xavier's feet once again, causing Franklin to say WT* as it gets to Razov. That goal was purely Xavier's fault. Cronin covered, Franklin moves it wide, and Xavier looks for his walker to help himself get up.
Amazing game overall. I kept saying here we go again each time the tied. If Gordon can do what he did on Saturday again, then I will never say oh no again when he is on the field.
Bob

I hope the team will be able to play this well when Landon and David are off playing for their national teams.
Diane

Great shot mag!