Well, you guys got your wish so far: SI: RSL, Columbus, SKC, FCD, TFC, Seattle, Colorado, Union, LA (9) I think we are being undervalued. Fine with me so far, but it's hilarious how we have a different bar.
ESPN: Colorado, RSL, SKC, FCD, TFC, Columbus, Seattle, LA (8) EDIT: Robbie and Penedo also make MLS.com's team of the week. Keane also made SI's team of the week.
Journalists are starting to recognize what we've got, I can't quibble with the rankings this week: ESPN: RSL, FCD, SKC, Colorado, Columbus, Seattle, LA (7) For all of the concern about Omar Gonzalez's play, the more mistake-prone player in the back this season has been Leonardo. His inability to deal with a simple long ball cost L.A. a victory in a 2-2 draw with Vancouver. SI: RSL, SKC, FCD, Columbus, Seattle, TFC, LA (7) L.A. was assertive from the start in Vancouver, but unlike last week in the same matchup, the Galaxy was stretched at the back a couple times and conceded in the 2-2 draw. Robbie Keane scored again, but his colleagues on the other end couldn’t match his steady performance.
I can accept Colorado ahead of us at the moment based on results, and I guess one can make a reasonable argument for TFC given that there 3 losses came to other top teams (RSL, Colorado, and FCD), but still feels like there is a little extra credit going to TFC's new DPs that LAG isn't getting for its established ones.... In the end, top 8 feels about right given the issues that still needed to be sorted if the team is going to add hardware to the trophy box.
I think it's about right. You'd say the team has a good core, but enough defensive issues that you worry about them beating teams that have good offenses. If we start looking lockdown again, then I think we'll move up, but until that we're a flawed contender.
Juninho also made SI's Team of the Week: Midfielder: Juninho (L.A. Galaxy) Juninho held in front of L.A.’s center backs against Vancouver on Saturday, recovering 11 loose balls and intercepting four passes. He also completed 50 of 55 attempted passes, springing attacks from the base of the Galaxy’s diamond midfield.
I think what we have is Xavier reincarnated in Leonardo. Once that is fixed we should be much better. Kinda wishing you had not released Chocrane now Bruce (It would let AJ stay centrally)
We've been sussed out: MLSsoccer.com: RSL, FCD, SKC, Seattle, LA (5) Not where some thought they would be just yet, but is anyone comfortable betting against LA eventually getting there? And now a bye. I'm frustrated. Can't imagine how Bruce feels. Silver lining: Hope Todd's ready to go by 5/3. Not so silver lining: Two more games only for Omar and LD before camp.
I hope he feels like playing youngsters and Leonardo means he has a bye instead of playing in the CCL.
Juninho's been very good so far this season. Maybe it was just a case of putting him optimizing him positionally.
ESPN: Seattle, RSL, FCD, SKC, Columbus, DCU (!!!!!), LA (7) SI: RSL, Seattle, SKC, FCD, Columbus, TFC, LA (7) And pretty much everyone lives and breathes Clint Dempsey. After watching Seattle games for the last few weeks (blegh), Martins isn't getting enough credit (not to take away from Clint's form).
Try 13th on MLSsoccer.com: It's too late in the season for Robbie Keane to look this rusty. Yes, he's got five goals – but he's whiffing on multiple chances to make game-changing plays each week. It's a sad, sad group that we are ranked above on MLS.com. And I mean sad. And we pretty much deserve the spot we are in. But when we are looking up at DCU, things are going wrong. ESPN: 10th What Dan Gargan was thinking when he threw the ball back to goalkeeper Jaime Penedo is anyone's guess, but it set the table for Giles Barnes' goal. The Galaxy's problem, however, is that they just cannot finish their chances, no matter who's shooting. SI: 7th (seriously? This guy ranks us low in previous weeks and then high this week) A momentary lapse from Dan Gargan and Jaime Penedo erased a road match full of promise in Houston. Gargan’s throw was poor, and Penedo’s control was just as bad, gifting Houston the only goal it would need to secure three points.
I thought we would have been last with the way we've been playing. SI must be fans of ours for a 7th.
In previous weeks when we were playing well he had us lower. I have no idea how he operates. Haven't figured him out. And we are nowhere near as bad as the bottom feeders. I know we are all worried, but nowhere near as bad.