So what do you all think our possible best starting xi will be for 2012? I like these 2 ideas below alot, they come with a few ??? on players though: [LINEUP-4-4-2]Buddle, Keane, Donovan, Beckham, Sarvas, Franklin, Dunivant, Leonardo, ???, AJ, Saunders[/LINEUP-4-4-2] standard formation, nothing fancy here in 4-4-2 and this one is a little more unique: (much like Chelseas 4-1-2-1-2) ---------------Keane---------Buddle------------- ---------------------Donovan------------------- -----------Beckham----------Sarvas------------ ----------------------CDM---------------------- Dunivant-----Leonardo---------AJ------Franklin Franklin and Dunivant are very good on providing width on the attack and this allows Donovan to play the freedom playmaker role with Beckham and Sarvas helping with the attack, Beckham connecting long passes and Sarvas joining in more with short passes further up. We would need a damn good CDM for this but I think Birchall could be up for it or at least provide depth with another good CDM signing.
Leonardo isn't ready to start, so I think Franklin is your RB. If I had to guess based on that 1 video from the first game: Buddle - Keane Magee - Sarvas - Beckham - LD Dunivant - ?? - AJD - Franklin Saunders That's for the home opener. CCL we have more of an issue because Sarvas is cup tied. So there I can see Stephens getting the call since we haven't signed Birchall. Just slot him where Sarvas is. I have zero idea who our other CB will be.
Yep, barring injuries or other signings, I think that's the League starting lineup. With either Boyens or Meyer as the other CB. Then either Stephens or Nakazawa replacing Sarvas for CCL. Last minute additions to the team could change that, of course....
[LINEUP-4-4-2]Buddle,Keane,Magee,Sarvas,Beckham,Donovan,Dunivant,AJ,Torres,Franklin,Saunders[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
I'm constantly surprised at how many times I see line-ups without Magee. last season he was key to our ability to play a little possession-based soccer here and there. He also scored 5 goals coming out of the midfield, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Agree Ghosting. Barring injury, and with the Gonzilla replacement still TBD, I'd be shocked if we don't see this as our first choice lineup: [LINEUP-4-4-2]Buddle, Keane, Magee, Sarvas, Beckham, Donovan, Dunivant, TBD, AJDLG, Franklin, Saunders[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
The main questions are: 1) Who plays Sarvas' role in CCL? 2) That lovely giant "TBD" 3) Who's Keane's backup while he's out at the Euros? 4) Who's Beckham's backup while he's out at the Olympics? And...no one get injured please. Thx.
Stephens and Nakazawa are likely the answers to questions #1 and 4 and Barrett better be the answer to #3 for what we are paying him. #2 is the $64,000 question (adjusted for inflation).
Looks like all our problems just got solved. Leonardo at CB and Juninho Cmid. Sarvas on the other wing maybe?
We better sort out our defense before we start patting ourselves in the back. Portland has already put 2 goals in against us.
I don't put much stock in preseason matches. Whether they be winning 6-2 or losing 2-0 in the rain. Especially missing several of our best players. Let's face it. Bruce will figure out the defense. He always does. It's early in preseason.
My prediction for the MLS opener. Of course, we are insanely deep right now, especially when Leonardo and Omar return from injury. Magee, Barrett, Stephens, Nakazawa, and either Boyens or Meyer all coming off the bench. All those guys would start for Chivas or REV. [LINEUP-4-4-2]Buddle, Keane, Donovan, Juninho, Beckham, Sarvas, Dunivant, Meyer/Boyens, AJDLG, Franklin, Saunders[/LINEUP-4-4-2]
Totally agree, but before we start crowning ourselves champions of the world, we should take a step back and see how things come together. Otherwise, we do well, but we don't meet people's unrealistically lofty expectations and come on here to complain instead of rejoice.
Now it will never get the fanfare of Juni but signing Leo on a free is a big deal I think. It tells me that Arena likes what he sees from him as far as his recovery. It's one thing to take him back on a loan but we are signing him to a contract. That says a lot.
Good point. In addition, if we build him up and he becomes a top prospect with opportunities to transfer elsewhere, the Galaxy will be the team to profit.
It's crazy to look at the evolution of the Galaxy since Bruce's arrival. Before he came there was a giant rift in the locker room, defensively we were laughable, offensively we were subpar at best, and the whole club was a mess. Within a season of Bruce's arrival, the locker room became close again, our offense was still nothing special, but he focused a lot on our backline and turned it into a powerhouse. Fast forward to today and now Bruce is taking the Galaxy even further. Our offense on paper is probably the scariest attack this league has ever seen. Omar's injury will probably effect us negatively at times like Vidic has for United, but I think it means we may need Becks and Juninho to drop back a little deeper at times too help our back line out. Basically in short, ******** props to Bruce Arena. I hope he stays here awhile
Great post, Arena deserves TONS of credit and he doesn't get enough for what he's done. Leiweke too, as a Galaxy fan I'm so grateful to have them running our team. The players that have left on loan have become almost spies and ambassadors for the Galaxy, this will reap benefits in the future. It starts at the top though, Arena sets the positive climate and the players just echo their feelings about playing under him and the club. As good as he is managing players off the field, he's equally adept at coaching them on it.
Great point. Especially since the press/analysts are essentially saying we are now the team to beat. And saying that it's CCL or bust for us. Expectation is now out there guys - we have to live up to it. And I just laugh in the face of the conspiracy theorists. Business manager at the LAG. I bow down to you man. Bruce, wow. Just wow. Oh, and AEG is living up to it's promise of wanting us to be an MLS global brand. You bet your butt that they are telling Bruce Arena - WE WANT THAT CCL CROWN. FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP, we are coming for you. Also explains those shirts that everyone was wearing during the Asia tour.
I actually sort of wonder if AEG was very clear with Bruce on this year's priorities: 1. CCL title/participation in FIFA Club World Cup 2. MLS Cup/Supporter's Shield 88. Open Cup (yes, that number is on purpose) I wonder if for the first time this year due to the win in 2011, if the order of #1 is changed. I'm sure AEG wants LA to be the first MLS team there and are thankful RSL struck out.
Seriously wondering if Sarvas is going to beat Magee out for a spot in regular season play. I think we have our line-up (minus CB) now set for CCL for sure with Juninho's return. Can Sarvas play out left or right? Also, we can now give serious consideration to a 4-3-3 (or a 4-1-2-3 if you prefer): Keane - Buddle - LD Sarvas - Juninho - Beckham Dunivant - CB - AJ - Franklin Saunders Do you guys think Bruce would give any consideration to going outside of a 4-4-2? Another way to accomplish that is to play those players above in a 4-4-2 and just tell LD he's got freedom to roam and get closer to the top. That's what he's been doing with Everton in all honesty, there have been times they look closer to a 4-3-3. Holy smokes, we have depth you guys. I'm not crowning us tomorrow either, but..... HURRY UP MARCH 7TH.
Last year, because of our scoring deficiency, LD would typically roam to the center and play more up top, he never was glued to the right flank or side. Beckham naturally drifts to right and never has played like a true center attacking midfielder, even when Juninho was dropping back to help the defense. It wasn't conventional but these guys knew how to weave with each other, and anticipate. It'll only get better this year, which will be scary for the rest of the league. Because Donovan is so amazing going forward and linking with both Buddle and Keane (recently), I think on paper it might be listed as a 4-4-2, but it'll more like a 4-1-2-3. I think because of Sarvas' passing ability, I think he's better suited for our line up, but Magee is a great trailing striker coming from the left side. Sarvas is right-footed, but he scored a great equalizing goal left-footed in December for Alajuelense in the Invierno Championship game, which they went on to eventually win. [LINEUP-4-3-3]Buddle, Donovan, Keane, Sarvas, Juninho, Beckham, Dunivant, CB (Gonzo), AJ, Franklin, Saunders[/LINEUP-4-3-3]