I just heard Becks practiced today, scheduled to practice tomorrow and they are hoping to have him make the bench against TFC. Hopefully everything goes OK.
We're coming to Lala-land! Looks like 50 red patch and about the same number of local canadian ex-pats, so we'll be chanting and singing our arses off! TFC will be missing Edu, Brennan, Robinson, dichio, O'brien and Sutton. Wynne and Pozniak are doubtful, cunningham is at about 50%. I'm half expecting Mo will ask to see if any of us have brought boots along with (just in case). If you can't beat an expansion team at least 4 nil with NINE of its first eleven out, then you'll never live it down. So no pressure!! See ya at the game (nice stadium BTW, been there before....)
Well, We have our own issues. OUT – Chris Albright (R-Hamstring), David Beckham (R-Knee), Alan Gordon (L-Groin) DOUBTFUL – Ty Harden (L-Hip) QUESTIONABLE – Quavas Kirk (L-Foot), Kyle Martino (R-Hip) PROBABLE – Kelly Gray (L-Calf), Abel Xavier (L-Knee) Even if he practiced, he didn't get upgraded. Although it would be its own ESPN press conference. Of course, we are talking about Albright.
Come on LA! Come on LA! Come on LA! Come on LA! Come on LA! Come on LA! Xavier, where art thou? We need you!
I think we'll really miss Harden. He's been doing well lately. Xavier should be good to go since we're playing on grass. I hope we see Randolph on the outside and sit Jazic. Particularly if Wynne plays.
Am i the only one not impressed with Xavier before he was hurt? He was a clown out there against RSL on Sept 1st, lazy and slow. Keep with the winning team and bring Big Dave on as a sub after 70 mins. No need to change everything even if we're playing shit at least its working.
Personally, I really liked the way Jazic and Roberts played in the center against Houston. I liked that it got both Randolph and Jazic on the field at the same time. In my mind they are both amongst our best healthy defenders and should both play. I really like Harden, and think he can have a future with us, but I'd rather not have the Roberts-Harden pairing any more. I know it has produced victories for us recently (Although the Houston win was done with Jazic-Roberts) but I just get that shaky feeling with that pairing. I'd like to see: -------Pavon---------- --------------Landon------ Martino---Tudela---Vagenas-----Jones Randolph--Jazic--Roberts------Klein -----------Cannon------------ With Becks, Glinton and Harmse seeing minutes from the bench.
Beckham likely to sit out After sitting out practice Friday and Saturday, Beckham practiced Tuesday, a workout that consisted mainly of a short-sided game. But Galaxy coach Frank Yallop said he didn't think Beckham would play Saturday against Toronto. "He's not close to being 100 percent, so we're not going to force him out there," Yallop said.
But it's kinda like comparing apples and oranges because that 12-0 includes matches that would now be considered draws. (Shoot out wins)
No Abel Xavier? Have we all forgotten him? Quick question... our recent success... which has gotten better during this period? back line? midfield? strikers?
It seems that overall we've just played better and more consistently at every position. We've also benefitted tremendously from the breaks in between games. If I had to credit one part thought, it would be the defense. Granted, we've let in a few really weak goals, however, that's when it stops. After a single goal. That says to me that our defense is really starting to sort out their issues (especially Roberts, who to me has been a rock; just look at how many balls he's won in the air and ground the past 2 games). In particular I think the offensive threats that Klein and Randolph present has allowed our twin d-mids to not have to contribute as much offensively and stay back to defend in case either is caught upfield. I get giddy thinking about Albright returning to his position and Klein, in his current good form, moving up to RM with Cobi assuming his super sub role off the bench... Another question though, if Jazic is to return to the LB position, will Randolph be rewarded by moving to the LM position, forcing Martino to the bench? I for one would probably support a move like this.
I've been away for a bit in a town (Springfield IL) that shuts down at 8:30 pm and I am out of the loop. What did Mike do do get himself in trouble?
He was late to practice because he overslept. (Source: TrickHog) https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showpost.php?p=12953309&postcount=317
Tha Dooce Mike Randolph can do no wrong. He's the HNC and ya'll know it. I am officially giving MIKE RANDOLPH a name change to the : THA DOOCE
this weekend isn't just about winning, though i'll obviously take a 1-0, it's about cricket scores here's what we need for this weekend to be bloody perfect: 1) chicago loses away to d.c. by 2-3 goals 2) columbus loses away to new england 3) colorado loses away to chivas 4) we beat toronto by 2-3 goals at home. thursday we need to beat new york by 2-3 goals if that happened, barring a 2003 style collapse, we'd pretty much be guaranteed a slot in the play-offs. chicago would not only have to win their match against us, but they'd have to win it by 4 clear goals (assuming they went in with a -8 GD and we went in with a -6) a three goal loss and we would win the tiebreaker with the better goals for numbers. so the more we put past toronto saturday night the better off we'll be.
bottom line is if we can't beat Toronto we have no business being in the playoffs. Look at their projected lineup(just from their board, nothing official). Now we can scratch Boyens because he is on Intl. duty. I don't know why they don't have Dunivant or Cunningham in there but it shouldn't matter even if they are. With the playoffs on the line and at home we should beat beat this team. Who's bringing streamers? -----Samuel--Lombardo------ Hemming--Poz--Canizalez--Melo Gala--Boyens--Marshall--Braz ----Stamontopolus---- against...... -------Pavon--Landon------ Martino---Tudela---Vagenas---Jones Randolph--Xavier--Roberts--Klein -----------Cannon------------ I'd love to give Glinton the start as I think he could roast Marshall all game long but he has been doing real well for us off the bench so stay with what works. Also Buddle is no longer on the injury report. Will he see some time?
Beware the big red machine is going to roll in to town. http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/media/...mv&w_id=13956&catCode=shows&type=v_free&_mp=1
Cunningham did play last week, but he didn't look 100% back from his hernia surgery. Not very smart to play him at this point if all he needs is a few weeks rest.