I'll be at the game Wednesday night, my second game ever at HDC (first was last week's laugher against Chivas). The team has always done a lot better in these Superliga games for reasons that I can't explain. Hopefully they continue their strong play in the Superliga and get a cool $1 million and a nice piece of inaugural silverware.
I'm surprised you're coming back after that debacle. Good for you. I'll be there too, as usual, hoping for some kind of miracle. They just announced that the game is sold out, and it really is too bad the cap is 12,500 for this game. What a shame. We would have easily got 24,000. Oh well, here's hoping for a title in this otherwise miserable season..
Has there been any news about the players who didn't go to Colorado? Any confirmation that any/all of them will play Wednesday (aside from Donovan who already said that he would be)?
perspiring Here they are: Predictions Pachuca wins Superliga Final: Thursday morinng Yallop is officially fired. Galaxy wins Superliga Final: Thursday morning Yallop is offically hailed as hero.
We seem like a completely different team during Superliga. Hopefully fully healthy Beckham, Lando, Buddle/Pavon/Gordan/Glinton up top. X in the back taking care of business, Klein does a good enough job, Randolph is look ok. Just pray to god Veris doesn't end up scoring 3 own goals or something. Also, lets hope we keep the ball away from Martino and he doesn't do another horrible tackle and get red carded. We've beat these guys before, we can do it again. After we win, let's brag for a week. Then shut the hell up till next year and never talk about any of this again!
Pachuca is coming off a loss in the Mexican League vs Santos 1-0. Maybe this will fire them up when they play against us
According to the dailiy Breeze http://www.dailybreeze.com/sports/articles/9415756.html David Beckham won't play. But I don't know if that's correct as they seem to have gotten it from an injury report the club put out yesterday but if that were the case surely lots of media would be running it, there's usually a flood of headlines about him being in or out so I really don't know what to make of this article.
Most Brit papers and SSN are reporting that Beckham will be fit for the final. IMO we should play a defensive formation and look to counter-attack. Something like 4-5-1 with Donovan as an acm, and a lone striker.
Did I make first page? Why, you aren't buying a ticket? Gotta play to win, or some other such slogan designed to take your money. I think the trophy is spray painted gold, but we used to win these things called trophys(inaugural?). No really, we did. If we lose 3-0, we are taking away your attendance privledges for the rest of the year. Yeah, superstitious. And Trick Hog was supposed to start SuperLiga pre/post! Now I'll have to sacrifice something or someone. Nominations?
We are at home, our only advantage. Pachuca was beaten by us here before, and they were beaten this past weekend in Mexican league. We're going to need a lot of luck - like missed shots by Pachuca, a Klein cross that bounces in off Gordon's head, gaffe by Calero....something. Donovan should play, Beckham won't, and I'm not sure about Xavier. Veris is very scary, Roberts not much sharper. I really don't think all our players are as bad as they look, but from whatever combination of lack of fitness, injury, lack of cohesion, they end up looking inept. It must be a player's nightmare to be on a team like this where everyone ends up looking like garbage at one time or another. ----------------Cannon------------------- Klein----Roberts-------Veris--Randolph -----Vagenas----------Tudela----------- Donovan--------------------Martino---- ----------Gordon-------Pavon----------- The defense needs to stay home for the most part - we either should play counter with Donovan & ? or make sure at least 5 of the defense and d-mids are back at any one time. Pachuca is genius at exploiting holes in the defense, and we are riddled with gaping ones. Go Galaxy! I will be there in Section 132.
It is true though, if you dont play you dont have a chance. My neighbor or won 5 out of 6 back in the early 1990s and won like $15,000, I know not much, but it was because a couple other people picked those same #'s.
Has Klein ever played center back? I know hes not fast, but maybe he could stop people from getting through the center lanes. God, you cant get much worse of a lineup than this. Harmse is out too? Sheeez.
I forgot about Harmse. He'll start with Pete in the middle, I would bet, unless Vagenas' injury is not doing well.
According to the Weekly Update... David Beckham is out... Galaxy Injury Report OUT - Chris Albright (R-Hamstring), David Beckham (L-Ankle), Kelly Gray (R-Calf), Ty Harden (R-hip), Ante Jazic (R-Ankle) DOUBTFUL - None QUESTIONABLE - Landon Donovan (R-Calf), Cobi Jones (R-Hip), Quavas Kirk (L-Foot), Abel Xavier (L-Knee) PROBABLE - Edson Buddle (L-Achilles), Troy Roberts (R-Ankle), Peter Vagenas (R-Quad), Kyle Veris (R-Hip) But anyway... WE CAN DO IT!!!
GALAXY WILL WIN THIS TOURNEY!!! PACHUCA BETTER WATCH OUT FOR OUR SECRET WEAPON: PETE VAGENAS!! I HEARD THAT HE IS ALL PUMPED UP AND READY TO GO!!
Even if Beckham can play, I doubt he'll start. So if I'm the coach for this game, looking at who we have available, I think I switch to a 3-5-2. Usually, I'm not a fan of switching formations much during the season, but heck, we've had no continuity all season - so why not. What have we got to lose? Here's why I switch to a 3-5-2: Veris and Roberts looked horrible on Sunday, so putting them as the marking backs in a 3-man backline simplifies their jobs - just mark your man. That then frees Xavier to play sweeper where he can use his superior reading of the game to put out fires. Then stick Randolph and Cobi (or Kirk if Cobi can't go) on the flanks to cover the speedy Pachuca wingers and push up on attacks on the counter. Stick Harmse and Klein at d-mid, where Harmse can be the bulldog and Klein isn't burnt as much by his lack of pace (like he will if put on the right of a 4-man backline) but can play the "Beckham" role with his decent right foot. Donovan in front of them free to roam wherever he wants to spring the attack. Then a rested Pavon and Gordon (because after Donovan he's the second leading scoring in SuperLiga play on the team!) up top. So I'd start: ------------Cannon --Roberts--Xavier--Veris -------Klein-----Harmse Cobi/Kirk-----------Randolph ------------Donovan -----Pavon---------Gordon Subs: Martino for Pavon or Gordon-- pushing Donvoan up top, then whichever of Cobi/Kirk doesn't start for the other, then Buddle in if we're behind or Vagenas in if we're protecting a lead and Beckham if he can play 20 minutes at the end. If I was coach, that's what I would do.... I hope we win.
Brilliantly done Soccer Nation! AEG should hire you..."never let the truth get in the way of a marketing campaign." You'll fit right in. P.S. I will no longer call him "passback Pete" lest Vageeeeeeenas grounds me and pounds me.