this seems like a pretty good pick up. the galaxy and houston seem like the early favorites for next year.
Barring another serious Beckham injury or the worst defense ever in MLS- its hard to imagine Galaxy outside the top 4. Donavon and Beckham will be top 10 scorers. Beckham will likely get 7 or more free kick goals alone (if he plays 25+ games)- not counting PKs and run of play. He'll be 10/10 or better for the season. Ruiz may join them in the top 10, teams will have trouble knowing who to guard. Landon may become Roy Lassiter this year. Absolutely, they are co-favorite with Houston.
They've added a coach whose best and only notable achievement is that he was an awesome player. They've added another player in Babayaro who was let go from Newcastle because he was chronically injured. And then there's Carlos Ruiz, a locker-room cancer who can be brutally kicked while laying on the ground and still come off as an assh0le. And there's no Cannon to bail out their charitable defense this year. Losing Pavon is a net positive. Looking at what they've gained versus what they've lost, why would you think they'll be better this year than they were last year? Sure, they'll make the playoffs with RSL and SJ in their conference, but so would many AYSO teams. Ironically, left-back is one of the only positions on which the Galaxy had made wise decisions. Jazic is serviceable and cheap and Randolph was a revelation last year.
The word "delusional" comes to mind. Three or four world class players surrounded by cast-offs and dev players doesn't make it in MLS these days. At least the Galaxy won't lose Beckham to Euro2008, but both Ruiz and Donovan will miss chunks of the season for WCQs. My guess is that we'll see a repeat of last season with the Galaxy on the edge of making/not making the playoffs down to the end of the season. The thin roster, coupled with the added demands of playing meaningless games to show off Beckham will grind this team down. A couple of untimely injuries, and all that talent won't save the team from another you-suck allocation. Nobody is questioning the talent at the top of the roster, but as others have pointed out, it won't be enough to make them a challenger.
How do you figure? Beckham for 5 games, Landon Donovan, and ??? == 3 or 4 world class players? Seriously?
Joe Cannon? If I were cruel, I'd include Albright, but you were missing him for the entire Circus. But he did play for the Nats.
Dunno about a great signing. They've got Randolph and Jazic at the same position. I wonder, are they planning a trade or are they planning to move Jazic inside?
And Randolph with the U-23's for a good portion of March (fingers crossed) and maybe a couple of camps in between, then gone for most of August (fingers crossed).
So not to be a smartaleck, but...ouch. It seems the Galaxy will start Babayaro at left back until he gets injured. Then they'll play Randolph until he leaves for the Olympics (if he goes). The rest of their defense: Harden, Xavier, and Franklin (just drafted - also may leave for Olympics). All while starting an unproven goalkeeper? They'll also lose Ruiz (to call ups and injuries) and Donovan (to call ups) for significant stretches. Wow. Those will be some fun 4-3 and 5-2 games to watch until the Gals stop scoring. No offense, but it sounds like the Gals will struggle to make the playoffs again. Any other assessment is REALLY optimistic.
This could mean LA has the most injury prone back-four in the world! In all seriousness, has this been confirmed anywhere yet? EDIT: It has, here: http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=101111
Well that was fun while it lasted. How much of a dunderhead do you have to be to sign someone to a 3 year contract and waive them a month later? Did Lalas even scout this guy before signing him or just see that he played in the EPL and give him the contract?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't this done under Gullitt? Any reason to think what Ruud won't have everything to do with player signings these days - or is it just too fun and convenient to blame only Alexi?