I agree and disagree somewhat with your post MBar. Our center midfield pairing has to do more with controlling the game and showing for the defenders and freeing up LD. At this moment LD can be marked tightly because he's the only real attacking threat at the moment. We need more width on the left side. Someone needs to step up in the midfield or we'll be in every game and probably get alot more ties. But if we can only come up with ties at home, we will not see the post season. One other thought, 23K at the game. I hope the FO is freaking out as well they should.
Am ugly game, too much influence by the ref to get any flow going by either side. With that said, the defense looked much better than we are used to seeing. Berhalter was the leader back there, soemthing the team has been missing for quite a while. And Ricketts play was superb, something else that the fans aren't used to seeing from a Galaxy keeper. But other than that, I wasn't that happy. Besides getting the red card for a stupid reason, Gordon blew the best chance of the night. Good strikers bury that chance, and he shot the ball right at Thornton. Thanks for nuthin' Alan. Klein was a disaster on the left. Clearly, if the team can use Dunivant at LB, then Lewis can move up the the left mid-field and then the team can get some decent service from that side. I'm also not sold on Franklin on the right side of midfield. He just can't deliver the kind of service we need. Obviously this is a temporary placement, as eventually Becks will go in there (maybe). but until July we need to do something different. But I'm pretty sure that Klein isn't the answer here either. Not really sold on Migs and Tudela either, as they really didn't im pact the game. Kovalenko would be better, except for the possibility of a red card every time out. And clearly the team is struggling up top without Buddle. Gordon and Kirovski don't threaten enough to take the pressure off of Landon, but I don't know that Arena has any other viable options at this point. And who's fault is that? Maybe going on the road will help...
Not sure what I have to add this morning, just feel obligated to chime in. The atmosphere at the game was good. I haven't looked at the attendance, but it looked like a near sell-out to me. There were a lot of Chivas fans (Galaxy fans, too) in the discounted sideline seats, and everyone was very well-behaved. There was a really cute couple just across the aisle - the guy wearing all Chivas gear with a headband, and the girl the same for the Galaxy. I'll take the tie. Like Soccer Obsession, I felt imminent disaster sitting through the last 10 minutes, and I was sure we were going to lose it, like we have so many times before. Luckily, Chivas was depleted, and somewhat inept with their finishing. They are a far superior passing team than we are - they have team speed over us, as the players move faster and the ball moves faster. But we have made undeniable progress on the defensive end. That was the first clean sheet in - how long? The last regular season one I remember was the first game against expansion San Jose last year. Eddie Lewis is much more athletic than I gave him credit for. He is the kind of veteran talent you want on the field. Klein has no quickness - so many balls that I thought he should get to that he couldn't. He gives his all, and he would be a great sub for us. We need good subs. I'd like Sean Franklin to go out & practice his crosses, day after day after day. If he improves those he could be very useful on the right flank, either in midfield or from the back. Gordon is a first class target, his ball-winning, holdup and distribution is just great. His bicycle kick was pretty sweet. Why does he slip and slide on the field so much? When he left the game, we didn't know how to conduct our offense because so much goes through him. They tried to make Kiro the target and that is just not happening. I'm starting to accept that we are going to be a grind 'em out team. One day we will get a win, I'm almost sure of it. Let's not forget to note that Josh Tudela got a haircut. Hair is crucial.
All of you guys gloating about Gordon missing next week should stop and consider that this means that Kirovski will be starting in his place. (Unless Buddle is somehow able to start after missing the whole season to date) I think our only two clean sheets last year were the home opener vs. San Jose and the first away game at San Jose. Feels good that our defense appears more solid. I loved that after the red card when Berhalter was heading to the tunnel he worked the crowd and got them to get fired up. That showed me he cares and I know his mistake was awful I still thinking he did fantastic overall and made a very nice pairing with Omar. I didn't notice the awful play from Migs that so many of you did on television. Perhaps I just missed it all but he seemed a useful piece last night. Him and Tudela I felt had the upper hand on the Chivas midfield which shocked me and I think is why Chivas came so close having multiple people sent off in the first half. AJ is much better on the right then on the left in defense. He's a very useful player to have due to the versatility. Klein is no longer starter material. Kirovski still really really really sucks. I'm not happy that he'll probably get the start next weekend. Kiro and Landon up top to start guarantees a crappy first 60 minutes of soccer next week before we can (hopefully) bring Buddle off the bench.
9 Cards. That's all I'm going to say. Oh, and I'd like to thank LARS and everyone else in 137/138 for not throwing any of the hundred inflatable goats onto the field. Other things were done that won't be mentioned, but at least no player was harmed. tm lars
I don't know what the official attendance was, but the only way 23K were there is if the Galaxy counted unused tickets. I would be very surprised if the actual turnstile count exceeded 16K. There were multiple rows of club seats at midfield that were empty. I also noticed that there were a lot of dark luxury boxes. If this is the best they can get for a rivalry game, they are going to be lucky to average 20K for the year.
The G's finally put together a bit of an effort, but couldn't avoid more "bad luck" (we seem to make our own luck when it comes to red cards and a few defensive WTFs). Gordon getting a two yellow's one for rightly complaining about a blown call, and the second for who-knows-what legitimate in a matter of minutes seemed odd. It was an oddly officiated game overall to put it politely. But forgetting that, I liked the team effort, and the good/bad news is there is still a huge amount of room for improvement. I think some players made mistakes, could have been sharper: Miglioranzi - He has nice size and fight in him, but he's a liability out there. He gave the ball away 4 times in midfield - dangerously and unnecessarily. And twice he lost his mark in the box that lead to two dangerous CHVUSA chances. He really deserves a '3'. Gordon - Held the ball well and got in good positions, but his shot right into Thornton on the 3v1 has got to be buried. And he's an experienced player - the ref was out of control with the cards. Whatever he did he should be smart enough to not do it (although I did like his retalitory nastly near-hit slide tackle on Thomas after Thomas knifed down LD - as he had not been carded yet and didn't know that the ref was going to card Thomas for the tackle as he let play continue) Berhalter - I actually thought he had a stellar game. His calm and distribution were a real improvement back there - right up until he passed the ball right to Eskandarian. A big props to him though for #1. Making the quick decision to trade a red card for 1 pt. and #2. Being fired up and trying to pump up the fans as he walked off the field. He has quicly become 100% Galaxy. Jordan - I loved his hustle (how many times has this kid heard that). But he's so poor tactically - he has to run twice as fast as everybody else because he's in the wrong spot. Maybe he can learn? I'm not optimistic. Everybody else I thought gave it there all and played well. Great game for Omar Gonzalez. Arena tactically still has a mess on his hands - he's not getting the most out of his players with his screwed up positioning. Klein was extremely ineffective at LM (although I don't think he played badly - he just is all right foot). We need someone who can cross the ball - and we have someone - Eddie Lewis. I really would love to have Eddie Lewis be our starting LB, but it just doesn't make sense to continue to play Eddie Lewis at LB without a class LM in fron of him. Get that guy closer to the goal. Plus Eddie's an old man - why make him take a beating from Atiba Harris (and then give up a corner anyway)? Franklin I thought had a good game. However, he's still not a good RM - he's a RB playing RM. 2 times DeLaGarza had a beautiful give an go with him and was running free down the right (a good 2 yards behind his man) and Franklin just didn't have the ball skill or creativity to get him the ball. One other comment. We really need Buddle back. And as much as I'm going to boo Beckham (til my voice is gone), we could use another quick thinking passer in the midfield.
Loved your noise and pace during the game! You and the ACB made the atmosphere feel like a European game. Plus it was great to hear when the feakin' Ultras were close to our section. Good stuff and we definitely like the goats with a stick up their arse! God bless and Happy Easter all.
Ricketts and the back four played great! Something we have been lacking early this season. Giving up no goals to a proven Chivas team says something. Klein. Well I love him in interviews and stuff, but boy he seems to have lost all his steps. Sad to see. Btw, why the heck Gordon got kicked? We were on the other end and all of a sudden he picked up two cards faster than Becks flying back to Europe. I wasn't too happy when he walked off the field as it seems that he picked it up for complaining. Seems to have been the coup de gras in our chances for victory. Anyway, good game, good atmosphere, and next time we got to take it from them. Tired of hearing the drunken goats sing in the restroom and all the way home in our house. God bless.
Glad you got to see it and shows dedication as a fan to be up so late or early (whatever your point of view is) I think the reason some thought it was awful game was because the LAG supporters are just frustrated. While I saw Chivas fans all happy and riled up, we were more frustrated for not winning. Yes, i agree with you when it came to Gordon. I, unlike others, did not cheer him when he was sent off. I was pissed that he couldn't keep his mouth shut in an important game when we were a man up. Unlike the other red in which it was just necessary, this one showed a lack of character, composure, and leadership. And it was the changing point in the game And yes, Ricketts was the man. I think because he was back there, the back line appeared more confident and did not take too many unnecessary risks. They seemed to be better organized than under Saunders. Hopefully this is a preview of things to come and not just some fluke anomaly.
I am really going to hope (possibly against hope) that Edson will be ready. I think he will though. He has been progressing from out, to doubtful, to questionable, etc. Every week we think he might play, and (our man on the inside, ) Drew Coho Cinco, expressed surprise and disappointment when he found out Edson wouldn't be playing this week. Would be great to get him back.
So I watched the game a second time to focus on defense: Delagarza: If the kid could get a little more muscular in the legs I think he could be a solid right back. I don't think he'll ever be more than that; his lack of size, speed and attacking skill will always limit him. But at this point I'll take solid. Franklin: The best defense we've ever had from a right midfielder! He made two really nice passes (which is as much as anyone else made) and if he could get that up to 5 or 6 he would do nicely as a right mid. However, if we are going to play two defensively-oriented wide mids then we have to play an attacking central midfielder. Which means Donovan to the middle even if it means starting Jordan and Gordan as forwards Gonzalez: My MOTM. There was a moment in the first half where Ricketts spilled the ball off a shot and it was out in the open for whoever could get there first. Gonzalez beat Harris to the ball and saved the goal. In addition, he was much better in terms of positioning. Maybe he feels more comfortable with AJ, who mostly stays home, than Franklin, who attacks more. Berhalter: Outside of the horrible mistake I thought he played well. He won a lot of headers and was the most comfortable of the defenders on the ball.
Happy Easter The quick hits from someone sitting front center midfield last nights game. 1.) Over a dozen unprovoked or unwarranted passbacks to the keeper last night by the Galaxy defense and midfield. 2.) Ricketts was on fire... saved no less than 4 sure goals last night. 3.) Jovan Kirovski is slow, slower, the slowest motherf*cker on earth.. and that is hard to say cause Chris Klein exists. 4.) Speaking of Chris Klein.... Done!! It's over Johnny. OVER!! 5.) Why have Berhalter supposed salary of $150k and Tony Sanneh supposed salary of 150k if they are both aging slow centeral defenders who cannot play on the field at the same time? 6.) Whoever rated Greg Berhalter a -9 (Really...no Really?) How do you give a "9" to a guy who got a red card? he is in real life not TV life very slow. There is a reason why Ricketts was the man last night, and it has everything to do with our central defenders. 7.) Landon Donovan doesn't trust Bruce, or his pathetic attempt building an offense... saw Landon last night several dozen times over the half way line tracking back to get the ball from midfield. 8.) Migz, Tudela, Franklin, Klein.... could be one of the worst MLS midfields ever. I can't see that midfield working in USL or the 4th division Cambodian Pol-Pot league. 9.) Alan Gordon is not a starting forward. He wastes more oppurtunities than he scores and thats not good for business. getting ejected for a "back" punch while the ref isn't looking is a nice cheap shot when you get away with it... but when you get caught like he did last night, it makes you nothing but an overpriced asshole forward who can't score sitters in front of goal... get me my drink you soon-to-be waiting tables at IHOP donkey dickhead. 10.) There was not 23k at the game last night. SAD very SAD. probably about 18k to 20k and most of the fans that sit in the nice seats are pretty much wastes of human fandome. they come late, leave early, add nothing to the atmospere of an exciting classico. 10._1) Would someone like to tell me who the fans are that go and pay good money to watch a game and never clap, scream, yell, move with sense of excitement, or talk to the person or people near them and look and act like they have fallen asleep. Quick reminder, Soccer is not and will never be Baseball you can eat til you puke, fall asleep, drink yourself into a coma, buy as many useless chockskies as your wallet will bear, go to the bathroom, watch other games on tv.. or play a game of twister in the aisle, and Baseball will always be the thing that is going on in the background. But never Soccer.... NEVER! 11.) Bruce Arena has lost his mind? I think when the USSF & NYRB got rid of him they knew something. Why don't we know it? ESPN did publish Mr. Arena's record with the Galaxy 2-6-5. stunning. It makes Ruud's record that much more impressive. 12.) Stop bitching about the hack referee. He sucked but he gave us a 11 on 10 advantage for almost a half an hour. And we promptly decided to do nothing with it. in fact only producing one shot on goal in that time frame. 13.) Jesse Marsch is the f*cking man. I am strong enough in my Galaxy-Sexuality to admit when a dude is good. And not only did he control his team, but our team and the Referee last night. I ain't hating Im just jealous cause I wish we had him. 14.) Sean Franklin - see why Bruce has lost the plot. Sean could go all Mike Randolph this season if BA doesn't get a grip. 15.) The Chivas USA v Los Angeles Galaxy rivalary is still the best one in MLS. And a 0-0 tie albeit entertaining is still a 0-0 tie. For the love of soccer in this country ESPN needs it's nationally televised game to score goals. 16.) Let's recap (MLS) gave us a break this year and started us out with 3 home games in a row, couple that with the fact we haven't had to play a game more than 500 miles away from the HDC in 3 months. We have not won a game since 2/18/09 and now we have a tough stretch of roadies to deal with. I can't imagine Houston & Dallas continuning to suck balls over the next 4 games. That being said this was not the start of season we all hoped for or wanted... and now have to deal with. 17.) Chocolate easter bunnies... colored eggs... easter egg hunt... easter baskets... and green mylar shreddings with jelly beans. What do you think about that my Jewish friends?
Missed the discussion DeLaGarza about being on the starting team in other threads and then I saw he was a Terp; figures. That is 5 new faces in the strating 11 last night vs last year; one is international (Ricketts) and the other 4 are ACC east coast guys. Gone are 5 regular starters that were west coast (Vanney, Vagenas, Roberts, McDonald and Cronin). The difference on the bench is even more of the same. How long before the 2008 MLS ROY is gone? Say what you want about this is a new team that is rebuilding; I have heard that before. The latest was oh, last year. Last we had rookies on the back line along with vets. We had new guys in the middle and Carlos Ruiz up and Donovan up top. The only thing that carried over from the 2007 disaster to last year's disaster seemed to be Donovan. Why does this year's disaster have the same recording? At least the bar has been set so low that no one can trip on it. I guess the difference in the LAG this year will be low attendence as Becks pays his way to stay clear. The point is that last year and this year have much in common in the mess that is currently called the LA Galaxy only this time it east coast driven and not west coast.
As I was watching the game last night I thought to myself, "what happened to my beloved Galaxy of old?". My Galaxy was a feared team around the league, we could score goals at will, we could move the ball all over the field without the ball going an inch off the ground, we had great goalkeepers year after year, great names every season, and a tough defense. Now I see a team I don't recognize, a bunch of subs that add nothing to the team, a midfield that can't move the ball to our incompetent forwards, and an organization that resembles AYSO at best. How long is this going to last????
Re: Happy Easter Agree with everything, your on a roll! Especially the above. Great to see as #1 the ultimate I don't know how to play (or I am so nervous) so I'll pass it back EVERY time. You would think that once in a while they might turn someone. Another peeve is why not pass the ball on the ground when available? Chivas went right down main street with passes on the ground that at the end of the match should have led to being rewarded at least once.
Well said, Bruce wanted a solid player over the MLS ROY. Me, I would have kept Franklin at CB and with the third draft pick in the draft selected a someone else. This mess was caused by Bruce and no one else. Remember him getting rid of Bravo right before the draft? I wonder what they disagreed on. Probably easier to find out what they agreed on.
I think the team is just 8 players short of being a decent team on the pitch.....Hurry Edson. We need you.
0-0 against a very good chivas team is a good result and something to build on. I still don't think this isn't our final team. Like someone said earlier if we could get Buddle and dunivant healthy this team would look a lot better. im thinking once everyone comes back from suspension and injuries the line-up should look like this: --------buddle-----gordon-------- ------------donovan----------- lewis----------------------AJ ------------Dema--------------- Dunivant---Berhalter--Gonzo----Franklin ------------- Ricketts--------- Only reason i moved Delagarza up is because i think his quality of service is better than Sean franklin's.
I agree with this except I would play a box midfield with Tudela and Dema in the back and lewis and LD in the front. That would skew the team left, but Franklin can give you width on the right. I really like the idea of buddle and Gordon up front with LD in the midfield. Then when Becks gets here, you can move LD to the left with Becks on the right. Then our midfield would skey more right. Either way, I think this would improve our ability to work the ball through the midfield.
Of topic, but what about against San Jose? (No Buddle, Gordon, Berhalter, Dunivant) Sanneh can cross from the right. Tudela has crossed well from the left (don't know how consistent he can be. Donovan needs to control the midfield. Franklin needs to provide speed and quickness in the center back. Klein is having a bad start, but has a nose for the goal and can play right wing. He can hold the ball. Jordan is fast (but can he finish?) Lewis can cross from deep extremely well. ----------Jordan---Klein-------- ------------Donovan----------- Tudela---------------------Sanneh ------------Dema--------------- Lewis---Franklin--Gonzo----AJ ------------- Ricketts---------
.Some people around me were getting upset at this, but what alternatives did we have? With a man advatange we wanted to be patient and keep possession, and with NO midfielder capable of showing for the ball and actually doing something positive with it, the smart thing to do was reset the offense. The option was to boot it upfield and likely give up possession, or attempt to make a penetrating pass to a well-covered midfielder and give up possession and a quick counter attack. Under the circumstances I think it showed a patience and composure I haven't seen in a couple of years.
Being from NC, I don't have a hometown MLS team. Therefore, I have become a fan of the league and enjoy watching the MLS develop as a league. But watching that game last night was a major setback to the league, IMO...the ref was terrible! I was looking forward to watching the typical spirited affair between the LA teams, but WOW...the ref kept either team from generating any type of flow. I hope the league will have a "come to Jesus" meeting with that guy. Having watched Ricketts play for Jamaica vs. the US, I had never been overly impressed with him. But he was the player of the game for you guys...by far! The league needs LA and NY to be major players (due to media coverage), and patching up that defense with Ricketts and Berhalter (except for his one bad pass which led to his red) should help. Good luck the rest of the way.