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.

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2008 Season, Team News

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David

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

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!
DAVE

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 $.
Bob

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.
Glen

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

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.
Box

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!
Brewing Geographer

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.)
Glen

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
Bob

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.
Laurie

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?
Glen

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

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

Goal Donovan! excellent
Glen

Beckham PK!
Glen

damn, pk!
Glen

right off alvaro's face
Glen

another great finish from Buddle
Glen

Buddle. awesome goal
Glen

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

cronin, hesitating again
Glen

they're looking better, moving the ball quicker
Glen

nice header from buddle, just a little wide
Glen

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

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

I love how Beckham just knows, without looking, that Klein is overlapping. It's that "whatever I would do in this situation I know my teammate is doing." Love that.
jen

Donovan goal!!! 4th minute.
jen

The lineup is as I posted, only Ely Allen is in center mid instead of Franchino/Mcdonald.

Buddle ---- Donovan

Jazic -- Pires -- Allen -- Beckham

Randolf--Xavier--Franklin--Klein
Ryan

Anyone know where I can watch this match online, i don't really care about the legality of it :-). I'm on a mac too so sopcast myp2p won't work.
Binh

I would actually like to see Jazic at left back rather than Randolph and have Randolph take the left mid position. Jazic is a little bit too slow as a side mid to be able to do much on counter attacks. As long as Jazic doesn't overlap from the back, he's just as good as Randolph back there.
Kevin

Since my town doesn't have a team yet (St. Louis), I'm pulling for the Gals. Why? Because I want the league to get as much pub as possible, and since the MSM seems to sweat Beckham-mania...hey, I'll root for whatever puts more eyes on the league than anything else.

I'm hoping for a Galaxy/Fire MLS Cup: Beckham/Lando vs. Blanco/McBride

Shoot, that's a better tag team match-up than Demolition versus the Hart Foundation back in the early 90s.
Alan

A victory by LA and a TFC home victory against KC will put TFC second in the East and third after LA in the league. Oh man, just the thought of it...

GO LA!!! (you won't hear that too often from me)
Glen

Jen,
I like your lineup and I agree with Jazic over Allen. Should be a entertaining game as usual and hopefully Donovan and Beckham can link up. With them not playing together for a few weeks hard to say. But if they mark Donovan with two players it should open up Buddle.