Let's here it for the great attacking style of that vaunted attacking club, LA Galaxy. What an ambitious club you have. When did they start mailing it in? The 63rd minute? Is this what Landon Donovan came back for? So he could get pissy with the ref and drag Clint Dempsey down without having to worry about getting called for anything? What a disgrace. Why the heck did Sampson pull off Albright? He was probably your most consistently energetic player? Even the normally irrepressible Ngwenya looked like he was flat-footing it. LAGs - destined to never win another MLS Cup unless it can be played at their home ground.
LA really didn't push foward at all during the final quarter of the match; it seems they were content to come out with one point, and with their road form I can understand why. Getting a point away against a team who is arguably the best in the league is a pretty good day for most people. LA really was unlucky though to give up the PK. It looked like it was a good call, since Ugo needlessly put up his hand, but NE never truly challened Kevin throughout the match. Real big positive though on the play of Herculez. If he and Landon can start to get some chemistry, they could become a pretty dangerous duo. Maybe put Jovan in the attacking midfielder role (which I think he's better at anyway), put Pete on the right and Cobi on the left. Sit Pando. Also, it looks like Steve might have FINALLY sat Naldo for good. We can only hope. All in all, not a terrible result for LA. I hope I didn't bore you guys with my play-by-play too badly.
What? I'm only gone for 3 weeks and they start letting anyone in here... Anyways, coming back I have fresh perspective. Plus, I have brand new high-speed internet, so I watched the game streaming. SO: 1. Mr. Blueballs above is right on one thing. Sampson threw in the towel at halftime. Is it to preserve our 1st place standing? (no). keep players fresh? (no). Protect his own ass from getting fired? (yes) 2. From an offensive point, I saw our problem. (fresh view and all) If we were a country, say the USA, invading, let's say... Canada (why not?), we are playing the ball from Florida down the side line to New York. We have a player in Ohio, but nobody in Virginia! We need someone in freakin Virginia! Northern Virginia! Or else, Canada just places their mounties on the Ohio border with hockey pucks and a keg, and we are screwed. (note: if you went to public school, use "drummer to lead guitar and we are lacking a rhythm guitar to get the ball to lead singer") This position belongs to Mr. peter vagenas. If he doesn't get involved we are sunk. This point is illustrated below: Don't let them win. Get involved Peter!! 3. Gomez. Where did he come from?? Goodgoodgood. He must have rather dissapeared than play for the tie, cuz that's what he did. 4. I have some good things to say about NE, so I won't. Instead, how cheezy to steal the LARS " you suck" thing. What is this? the "tea party" thing all over again. Hey, we don't tax you ok?
Well the Galaxy didn't lose, the formation I take it was mostly defensive. LSC, thanks for trolling, at least we can beat Dallas . . . Sorry if I missed it, but why did Marshall go out in the 5th minute? Well Herc is proving to be the real deal, maybe when Aug. 15 comes Steve and Co. should look for a left sided midfielder instead of a forward.
Anyone notice that after Donovan's tackle on Clint in stoppage time, Clint got up and started cursing at Donovan -- who just walked away. Thought it was interesting. LD certainly could have picked up a second yellow for that tackle but I thought it was rather interesting that Clint would go after a player he has just spent the last month with as a teammate like that -- kinda comical moment as well.
That was a horrible tackle by Donovan. Not malicious, but flagrant as hell. He was nowhere near that ball and should never have seen the end of that match. Dempsey -- who I could care less about -- had every right to lay into Lando. But Great Odin's Raven, what a freakin pass to Herculez. I don't know whether to shout with joy at the play or cry that we are so unbelievably indebted to a single player for any semblance of creative attack. Although the interplay btw Donovan and Herculez is definitely promising. Final note: I gave Ugo a pass on his red card earlier this year, but that penalty he gave up was straight up wicked retahded. What the hong kong phooey was he thinkin?
Actually, we only win hardware when the final isn't being played on our home ground. And after getting bit in the a$$ by the ref, I think our team was fine with taking a point on the road from the team currently tops in the league and getting a chance to recuperate, rest, and get our guys healthy again. So thanks for your scintillating comments. Don't you have a baseball field to get back to? Anyway, I said I was looking forward to seeing how Herc and Donovan played together, and I think we can all agree it was a great success. Add my vote to putting Kirovski in Vagenas' spot. Pete's been on a downward spiral now for about 6 or 7 games, and I don't think you can break up the Herc-Donovan combo. And Nagamura has become a destroyer out there, consistently breaking up plays in the midfield, so I'd love to see our other central midfielder be a little more offensive. We definitely need another link in the midfield and Kirovski has the quality of play to provide that. And, hey, Umana didn't totally suck this time. Just trying to take whatever positives I can....
Yeah, I was worried when Ty went down, but Michael stepped up. I just like how Nagamura works out there. Bless my soul, Herc is on a roll! Landon just got in sync with the new guy already - that was nice to see. We took from the Revs the same point they took from us on our field. And Dempsey is two-faced for being mad about Landon's tackle right after the one he launched on Pando. then again - isn't this the same player that once tried to fight a teammate?
Ugo has been a massive "defensive" liability the entire month. Working backwards: v. NE 7/27: handball in the box that leads to PK (equalizer) v. DC 7/23: completely botches shutting down Adu at the top of the box, leaving Adu wide open for a shot on goal in the final minutes (winning goal) v. Metros 7/09: knocks down Razov in the box, leading to a PK for the Metros (not the winning goal or equalizer, but match still ended up as a loss) v. NE 7/04: commits an unnecessary foul against Latham in the final two seconds of stoppage time that results in a free kick that leads to a goal (equalizer) Ugo often makes great plays during the course of a match, but he's made way too many huge mistakes that have had serious consequences on our results. Two fouls in the box leading to PKs is too much. This just proves that he has a long, long way to go to mature as a player, and the decision to make him a starter may have been premature.
yeah, against Avery John, who hacked down Donovan. As if our national team isn't depleted enough, we've got a guy who plays for T&T hacking down one of our best players. I'm pretty sure he's thinking about Aug. 17.
It seems that Ugo has a lapse just for a minute every game. I guess this is being a rookie. My guess is he gets frustrated and just gives up. I am sure this will improve. I still think he is worth having there... of course I don't know who I'd put in his place either. Umana or Chinchilla or I guess Troy Roberts.. but I think you'd get more of the same from him. The real problem is still offence and it's the only reason were talking about the defense (our defense isn't bad). A once in a while from Ugo would go largely unnoticed if we scored some goals.
Yeah, Ugo is definitely going through the middle of the season rookie slump. I don't think he's physically worn out, but mentally he's struggling - just not used to this many high-pressure games week after week. But when I compare where he is to where Danny Califf was at the same point - no comparison. And like someone else posted, we're only letting in on average about one game per game. The problem is we're only scoring a little less than one goal per game. The only thing that makes me optomistic about our future offense is how well Donovan and Herc combined up top. And since I'm pretty sure that Donovan doesn't play in any reserve games and Herc didn't get any playing time until Donovan left for the Gold Cup, I think that was the first time ever that those two have played on the field together...
Ugo is a rookie. We will live or die with those kind of mistakes. On the other hand, we were also all over Sigi's back for NOT playing the kids - so we have to grin and bear it when the coach decides to play a rookie, particularly in a key position like central D. This season looks like is going down the tubes anyway, so we might as well invest the time to bring Ugo and Herc along. They will be solid players for our next coach. And if Landon's super pass has saved Sampson's job....Its only another reason for me to hate Landon.
Completely agree. I forget which of our stalwart regulars here has said this repeatedly, but I am also of the opinion that Sampson's going nowhere this season as long as we make the playoffs. If we're lucky we'll get a change after the season's over. But I'm betting that such a high-profile coaching move means the throbbing itching brain trust won't admit their mistake until post-season. Doesn't mean we can't keep calling for his head, though.
WTF is with teh fire Sampson NOW crowd? Anotehr coach won't help us much at this point anyway. Fire Sampson after the season.
I didnt think it was a legit call for the pk. It just looked like Twellman chest trapped it and it dropped to his feet. (or is it that i didnt see enough replays?)
Sorry if my spleen-venting annoyed you. But that was a horrible display by your team. I don't blame your players as much as your coach - I thnk he was the one issueing the orders. As far as playing the "at least we can . . . " card - we could go back and forth with that for a few rounds. We played terribly against Dallas. Every team has bad games. But your team is making a habit of playing like stiffs every time they leave the friendly confines. And even at home ya'll don't play like offensive juggernauts. I just don't understand why your coach doesn't have the guts to try and take it to a team. You won't get a much better chance to beat NE then you had last night. The lacked two of their best players (Ralston and Noonan). They were struggling to supply Twellman with the good service he needed. Their defense was looking weaker than usual (even Reis was not in his best form) and you had a goalscorer with a hot, er, foot (Herculeeeez). So why did Sampson roll over after half time? I would think it would drive the team crazy. Like subbing out Chris Albright. He sure didn't look to happy about being on the bench with cruddy Jason Roberts staying in the game. Your team has so much talent that just doesn't seem to gel into a total package that is equal to the sum of the parts. I can't stand your team, to be sure, but the reason I was complaining was not because of their lack of quality - but their lack of initiative. That stat about winning only 3 of the last 30+ on the road is scandalous for a team that has had the caliber of players that you have had over that span of time. Especially when one of those "road" wins came at the HDC. I know that Landon has not been with the team for that many road games due to his nat commitments. But shouldn't the league's best and most expensive player be able to take a game by the scruff of the net and grab a win (a la Freddy)? In a league going through expansion and with your team playing in a truly deplorable division, Sampson's feet need to be held very close to the fire for being so negative on the road.
Apart from that incredible pass, Donovan seemed lacking in the composure department. Not only was the tackle against Dempsey petty, stupid and flagrant - but his complaining to the referee on the Nakamura handball was ridiculous as well. He ought to cut that garbage out - especially as much as he is protected by the refs. And Ugo's PK handball just made no sense. The Rev player was not even facing the goal - it would have been a tough ball to receive, turn and place solidly on net. The pass might have even missed him entirely. So I just don't understand why he went sticking his hand so far out in front of his body. It was so obviously intentional that a ref would be inclined to call him for it even if he had whiffed on the ball with his arm.
Dude....you're barking up the wrong tree. Email Sampson and let him know. I doubt your arguments will get much rebuttal from G's fans. Most of us are fed up with Sampson and can't wait for his departure. When the petition is created we'll be sure you get a chance to sign. Since you can't stand our team...it's nice to know you still care. Oh yea...given the way you played earlier in the year you don't have much to stand on when talking about how poor we are playing. Both Moreno and Escandarian are a shadow of their former selves and you needed a 16 year old to bail your arses out last week...otherwise you didn't look much better than us and we were missing Donovan. Given that I grew up in MD as a Diplomat fan I am still a casual fan of DC and hope you guys do well tonight. I don't see you repeating this year however...I doubt you will even be in the final.
We were the first team to beat you at home in donkey years. We were also coming off a tough midweek game against KC (very hot weather), hence slightly lower output then usual. It is not how you begin the season, but how you end it that matters. We are doing no worse - actually some better - than we were this time last season. Eskandarian is definitely snake-bit this season. But the improvement of Quaranta and Adu will help us fill in the gap left by his non-impact. Moreno already has scored more goals than last season, when he had a great claim to be MVP of the league. Not bad for being only a shadow of his former self. Christian Gomez is probably the most productive midfielder in the league, barring maybe Ronnie O'Brien or Clint Dempsey. We have played the most difficult schedule so far in MLS. Just wait until we get to play you at home, play our two games against the Crapids, play our two games against RSL and play our home game against Chivas. We really have played a meaty schedule in the first half of the season. Besides, my post about LAGs pertains to a lack of ambition, NOT A LACK OF QUALITY. Where is the pride in your players? Why don't they play like they care? It is one thing to lose a game. It is another thing to not even try to win. Say what you want about Freddy - he showed passion and our team erupted when he won the game. We may lose games, but we very rarely bag it. I would rather lose while trying to win than go through the motions like your sonombulistic squad did last night. Apart from Herculeeeez (first half) and Chris Albright, your boys looked like they were mailing it in.