I Just Watched the San Jose Game!

By: Laurie | April 9th, 2008

I realized today that the San Jose game is in the ESPN360.com archives, at least for the moment, so I was actually able to watch the home opener, a week after the fact. My thoughts:

– I am SO glad that it was this game available for viewing and not the Colorado game. Now I can continue to view the season through happy little rose-colored glasses. At least till the next game.

– I’m thinking this could easily be the starting lineup for the season. Unless, of course, they completely fall apart against stronger opposition.

– That said, I’m not 100% convinced by our central midfield. They didn’t stand out for me as bad, but they didn’t stand out for me as great, either.

– Mike Randolph is back! This was the player I expected to see in the preseason.

– Chris Klein. I love the man. (As a player only, understand.) He plays with such heart and integrity, all of the time. And he and Becks up the right? Beautiful.

– So this is what it looks like when Landon shows up for the full ninety!!

– Alan Gordon can’t finish. The end. He’s got a great work rate. He’s pretty speedy. And he doesn’t know what to do with the ball when he’s in front of the goal I’ve kept hoping, but I think this is what it comes down to.

– It makes so much more sense to pair Greg Vanney with Sean Franklin rather than Abel Xavier. One older guy with experience and wisdom (not two), paired with a younger guy with speed. I think Abel and Franklin would probably work equally well.

– And that said, what’s up with Franklin’s mohawk? It looks like the mane on a pony. Stick the man on central defense and suddenly he’s channeling William Gallas.

– Ely Allen is a little raw, but he gives 100%. I think Ruud can do things here.

– Beckham fit into the team in this game. Meaning he played exceptionally but didn’t necessasrily stand out as a superstar. And I mean that in the best possible way.

– Steve Cronin seemed to play pretty well, but he wasn’t really tested. The jury’s still out here.

– Was I hallucinating, or did I keep hearing, “BOOM goes the Cannon”?

– All in all, a pretty game. And I’m so happy I finally got to see it. I feel like I can participate in the Galaxy discussion now.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Preparing for 2008

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Tiffany

"Alan Gordon: As I’ve said before, “feet of concrete and the first touch of a chainsaw”. That show-tying thing was pure comedy gold, especially when Pires centered the ball into glaringly, massively open space at the top of the box where Gordon should have been had he been player enough to go commando for 30 seconds."

Oh my gosh, Nathanhj, I know! I know!! It would've been such a great shot! Oh, Alan Gordon..

And I haven't heard anything on Kyle Martino either. Though I've been keeping an ear to the ground. My friend's cousin is (was? depending on what he's up to) roommates with him, so I'll ask her.
Lucas

Sounds like Alan Gordon is the worst striker evar. Better send him back to Oregon where he belongs.
justin

Yeah LA didn't want them so... they are gone.
Melissa

Much like Ryan Cochrane, Gavin Glinton wanted to leave and return up north where he grew up. Glinton never (as far as I know) outright said he wanted to be left unprotected (unlike Cochrane who asked Kinnear to do it), but Yallop has said in interviews, Glinton wanted to go back to the Bay Area.

The same argument can be said for Cannon who was traded to San Jose but didn't really have any say in the matter. As far as I know, he did not ask to be traded specifically to San Jose (remember he almost got dealt to DC?).

Carry on Galaxy fans.
justin

LA Rejects! LA Rejects!
Nathanhj

Not cool with dissing Glinton since he was taken in the expansion draft and had no choice in the matter. Cannon probably begged for a trade, though.

Alan Gordon: As I've said before, "feet of concrete and the first touch of a chainsaw". That show-tying thing was pure comedy gold, especially when Pires centered the ball into glaringly, massively open space at the top of the box where Gordon should have been had he been player enough to go commando for 30 seconds.

I'm not sold on Buddle, though. He was good in what? 2003? Give me John Wolyniec anyday of the week as supersub...
Laurie

Speaking of Kyle Martino, has anybody heard what he's up to? I keep looking for news and not finding any.
Tiffany

I can't believe Gordon was tying his shoes! They didn't focus on it really in the televised game (I was there & watched it later on tv) but our section was so pissed. He would've had a beautiful shot on goal, and they kept trying to set him up, but MF felt like that was a good time to tie his laces.
I missed Kyle Martino when I got to the game, but once it started I began to let go of all the anger I'd collected after he was waived.
The Riot Squad sure let Cannon and Gavin Glinton have it... I felt like one of five Galaxy fans there (a rough estimate) cheering on our old boys. Is that something you're not supposed to do? Because I also cheered for Nick Garcia; once a Wizard, always in my heart. :)
Justin

I think Abel will be fine if we keep him paired with a fast CB but in the Colorado game everyone was playing like crap and he just lost it. We will find out soon enough but I hope we do not try Vanney on the left again like in that 1 preseason game. It did not look good that game at all but then again who knows. lol
Diane

Perfect, Laurie. I agreed with enough parts of the other comments not to add, but yours are all not only the same but in the same order as my thoughts! With the minor exception that I don't think Abel would work well with anyone anymore.

He's a nice guy, knows the game, really, really smart in interviews. I wanted to think he was being kept on for his experience, but his temper was surely based on the fact that he just can't keep up anymore. If it was a big enough roster to keep him as a few minute sub, but defense doesn't really work that way and the money could be better spent.
mag

Laurie,we forgot about our good tradition....
look at this pic...can they look more happy?
http://www.imageshadow.com/vie...
Camjam

Painfully true about Gordon. Works hard, is almost always in great position, but can't finish... like, at all. Why hasn't Ruud tried Edson Buddle? good size and decent finisher.
Justin

No Boom there goes the Cannon we were singing to him but it was nothing like that. lol I think it was more to let him know how good ;) he was playing.
George

right on Laurie! :)
Justin

http://www.soccer365.com/mls/s...

Great article about Randolph right here, kind of lets you know why he was not playing in preseason.
Justin

Franklins Hawk looks great he has had it for a while now even before Fan Fest. Did you get to catch the part where Gordon was tying his shoes on an attack we had, comedy thats what it was pure comedy. Also when people rip on Landon it is kind of funny, they always say that he only shows up for our National games and not club games but in the national games he has great players around him who has he had around him in our games. Now he has someone that good and he has a coach that is going to push him so I would think that we will see his game rise to a new level, or we will at least see a very hungry Landon. Also I hope we offer Dev. contracts to the 3 Cubans that are training with us we have 3 spots left so it would work out great for us.
galaxyporvida

oh and WELCOME BACK
galaxyporvida

Laurie you never get anything for the galaxy right and you are inaccurate in your predictions

LATE APRIL FOOLS!!!!

just playin laurie i love reading your articles :)