Galaxy v. Crew Preview

By: jen | June 20th, 2008

Week 13 already?

Looks like we’re doing well though.  Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle are #1 and #2 respectively on the MLS high-scoring list.  A Galaxy player has captured 6 of the last 12 MLS Player of the Week awards.  We lead the Western standings.  So far so good!

The Columbus Crew come to the HDC with a record of 7-4-1 versus our record of 6-4-2.  We’re pretty evenly matched.  We have the best offense in the West.  They have the second best defense in the East (behind Chicago).

Landon Donovan is back from the USMNT and is available.  Carlos Ruiz is still with Guatemala.  Pete Vagenas is questionable.  Everybody else is available.  This is what I think the line up will look like:

—–Buddle—–Donovan—–

Jazic–Franchino—Pires–Beckham

Randolf—Xavier–Franklin—Klein

I can’t decide whether or not to put Franchino or McDonald in at center mid to hold against the Crew’s improving offense.  Jazic played so well last week that I’d like to see him start at left mid instead of Ely Allen.  And there’s no need to mess with the defense at this point — it’s working.

I have to say that the coaching of Ruud and the leadership of Beckham, among others, has made a huge impact on this team.  Seriously.  Look at how our young ‘uns are coming along:  Franklin, McDonald, Randolph, Allen.  Whatever Ruud is doing, it’s working, and I hope that Lalas the front office doesn’t screw it up.  I’m still burned by the past several years’ worth of questionable decision making.

This should be a good match.



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    Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 33 comments.
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  • jen |  June 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pm

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    We’re pressuring the ball well on defense, including in their third which is what Ruud criticized Ruiz for not doing several weeks ago.

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 7:55 pm

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    nice to see Donovan already get a goal, just tuned in

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 8:08 pm

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    nice header from buddle, just a little wide

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 8:19 pm

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    they’re looking better, moving the ball quicker

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 8:21 pm

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    cronin, hesitating again

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 8:24 pm

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    good half overall, just needed to have Donovan put away that miss

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 8:40 pm

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    Buddle. awesome goal

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 8:41 pm

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    another great finish from Buddle

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 9:02 pm

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    right off alvaro’s face

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 9:04 pm

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    damn, pk!

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 9:16 pm

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    Beckham PK!

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 9:17 pm

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    Goal Donovan! excellent

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 9:23 pm

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    sh*t, didn’t get cleared out. besides the pk the other 2 crew goals were bouncing around in front of the goal

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  • Glen |  June 21st, 2008 at 9:29 pm

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    draw, this one hurts! at least it’s 1 point I suppose.

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  • Laurie |  June 21st, 2008 at 11:19 pm

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    Yeesh, I watched the first half and left the boys with a comfortable 1-0 lead. I come back in the 89th minute and it’s 3-3! I missed FIVE goals?!?!?!

    I just can’t leave these kids alone for a minute, can I?

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  • Bob |  June 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 am

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    Thanks for giving up the win Cronin.. He pushed the ball right in the middle of the box. I think subs should be used to give the defense fresh legs in the late stages of the game. Klein was getting outrun a lot towards the end, the Crew had some speed. We should have won that one!
    On a side note, cool balls given away last night! The halftime show kind of blew.

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  • Glen |  June 22nd, 2008 at 9:02 am

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    I wish we still had cannon between the sticks. if I remember correctly wicks has had surgery so he won’t be available for a while. we need a solid keeper (Cronin just makes too many mental mistakes) and Bob I agree with you Klein was getting out outrun. When does that summer transfer window open up again :p

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  • California Pete |  June 22nd, 2008 at 9:24 am

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    Aaargh! Just when Cronin was starting to show some confidence and consistency. No excuses, but that was a lousy call against Xavier to set up the fateful free kick.

    Rather than Cronin, though, chalk this one up to poor finishing. Both Beckham and Donovan, among others, missed golden opportunities. (And yet they still managed three goals; the offensive potential of this team is scary.)

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  • Box |  June 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 am

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    hi everyone! i’m late..but congrats to the Gs. yeah..i know. but a point is a point. and it is a lot better than none.

    my piece of thought here – i’m quite dissapointed that Gullit was using the the Galaxy’s “San Jose” team to play against the Crew instead of the “Colorado Rapids” team. between the two..of course the Rapids were stronger and we beat them! heck..San Jose couldn’t even score..!

    and during this transfer window..please, please get rid the “unreliable” defenders and get strong, reliable, experience & lasting for 90 minutes defenders to get a win! i don’t care who they are..as long as they can play for 90 minutes! unless Gullit can come up with some way of changing the team’s mind to be more defensive AFTER they lead..i say we need some new players back there.

    cheers!

    Posted from Malaysia Malaysia

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  • Glen |  June 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 am

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    Facts about 2007/2008 seasons: hope this shows right :p
    2007-
    played win loss tie pts gf ga +/-
    30 9 14 7 34 38 48 -10

    2008-
    played win loss tie pts gf ga +/-
    13 6 4 3 21 31 24 7

    almost hard to believe we are so much further ahead than last year. thought I would post this for fun. if it wasn’t for a couple gaff’s that we had so far we would be not that far from having as many points as total for last year and were just about 1/2 way through this season. also look at the goals for and the goals against, interesting! our defense is better this year (still need improving no doubt), but I think Cronin has made some gigantic blunders too.

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  • Glen |  June 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 am

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    lost all the space in between the numbers, oh well you get the point :p

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  • Bob |  June 22nd, 2008 at 11:25 am

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    The transfer window has been open a week already, what are they waiting for???
    That ref last night was horrible! The call on X that led to the last goal was insane. He got the ball, and the player. I am bitter that we had 3 points, then lost them because that last call.

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  • DAVE |  June 22nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm

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    Enough is enough! The back line for that Galaxy is absolutely horrible! PLEASE buy a quality GK and another Center Back that isn’t as slow as a shopping cart.
    Ruiz and Abel X-slow-vier can go to free up some $.

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  • DAVE |  June 23rd, 2008 at 12:49 pm

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    To follow up on Enough is Enough! Kasey Keller was released by Fulham earlier this summer. Why can’t we get him? He would do for now. Cornin could learn alot from Kasey.
    As far a center back is concerned…maybe Bobo Balde from Celtic. He’s big, fast, and very strong. Celtic want rid of him so maybe we could get him on the cheap? There’s also Raddi Jaihdi, who fantastic in the air. He scored few good goals for Bolton. He’s a great target for Beckham!

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  • David |  June 23rd, 2008 at 2:01 pm

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    My summation of this game: “Touch me in the morning and then just walk away.”

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