Asking the experts here: Has Bo really messed up the chemistry of your team? I know you've been playing on the road, and you've got a long time to get the formula right and everyone used to each other. But IMHO Bo looks mediocre, unfit and out of place. Worse, he seems to be messing up a good thing: a cohesive LA team that played flexibly and intuitively. Lalas turned out to be a golden addition to your team, on and off the field, yet his position seems less stable as Sigi tries to accomodate Bo. That's not good for locker room morale. Also, last Saturday KC ripped up the middle. Let's say you have a fully fit squad and Bo's playing like this. Do Vagenas, Cien, and/or Elliot sit to make way for the ethnic draw? Am I way off base with this question?
I don't think he's messed up team chemistry. Some of the players who were crucial last year aren't up to par this year. Ezra Hendrickson still lacks fitness after coming back from an injury, Elliott and Vagenas haven't been able to cross to save their lives in 2003, and Jones doesn't look nearly as dangerous as he did before. Hong Myung-Bo is actually our top performer in the midfield so far this season. Not that he's been lighting it up, but the rest of the midfield just plain stinks so far. We just have a lot of players misfiring badly at the same time right now.
It's difficult to tell at this point because, in my opinion, the Gs have yet to play a game with anywhere near the intensity required to win one. When they decide to actually show up to a game, hell bent on victory for a full 90 minutes, then we'll see if Hong is an asset or liability. At this point, I don't favor the Gs against Colorado, even with all the internal woes that club is facing.
Bo was just getting his first taste of what MLS and CONCACAF have been dealing with for the last seven years. Preki's move. He'll be okay.
I think he is one of the better distributors on LA. I don't think he's seeing the ball enough. On the defensive side, it's not just him that has failed to help the defense, it's the entire midfield.
Preki's "move" wasn't involved in that goal...he just took the ball off of his teammate's foot and shot it
To be honest, all I've seen from him are long balls up the middle hoping to find Fish. I'd be hard pressed to rate his distribution so far.
Like when Preki got unmarked (somehow), nutmegged Bo sideways when Bo was rushing to catch up, then cut on Bo twice while Bo found himself still running at his own goal? That was sad.
Personally I think Bo was signed for ethnic draw just like Hermosillo & Hernandez and we all know how that turned out. He plays the same position like Lalas so why did we sign him? He can't be any faster than Lalas or more-skilled, is he? I think he is a wrench thrown into the machine.
I like Bo, but the only time I've seen him be effective is when he played in his natural position, sweeper (or central defender, whichever you prefer). I also get the impression that he's not being aggressive, like in Preki's goal. I feel Bo could have, at least, attempted an sliding tackle to, if nothing else, interfere with Prick's shot.
Agree w/KAESO, I don't think he's being agressive enough. His passing has been very good and accurate, and is good with his feet. But, he seems to be passive with players running through his area and not attacking them. Not playing like a Best VI. But, he's actually been the best midfielder (which isn't saying much.)
Now what's up? I didn't get to see all of that game against Colo Rado, but it looked like Bo was in the back playing well, and Lalas wasn't on the field.
Bo's best position is central back. Ditto Lalas. Experiments with them both on the fireld (moving Bo up to mid-field or playing 4 in back) have not been very pretty. So, we have two central backs sharing time - not wholly satisfactory to either guy. One of many problems this year, and probably not even close to being LAG's biggest problem.
bo is like the best sweeper ever Everyone who thinks Lalas even compares to Bo is a freakin idiot. Bo got the Bronze Boot Award in the World Cup, behind Ronaldo and Kahn. World Cup, Lalas isnt even on the U.S. National team if im correct. None the less hasnt been in a World Cup or prob sat on the bench if he did. Anyway the only reason Bo's not playing as awesome as he usually is, is because he is out of his original position. Bo won the Bronze Boot Award for a reason because he was like the best defender in the World Cup. Anyway the L.A. Coach needs to realize Bo is way better than Lalas at center defender and needs to play in the position which he has played in the many World Cups hes played in and countless other games. Bo was captain and Bronze Boot winner for a reason, not to be insulted by having Lalas even think of taking Bo's Defense position.
I agree that Sigi needs to find a way to play him as central defender or sweeper. His best moments of the KC game occurred when LA had a string of corners in the second half, and Hong dropped back into more of a sweeper position. He seemed much more comfortable on the ball at that point. I understand that playing Lalas, Califf and Hong would be difficult since there is no speed there at all. Plus, with Elliot at the Confed Cup, Hong will probably have to play in the midfield. Still, with someone as good as Hong, I'd tend to think you'd accomodate him, not vice versa.
Re: bo is like the best sweeper ever Welcome to BigSoccer Bo clearly has stellar credentials and comes in with a fine reputation. His play, even as the center back, has NOT been much better than Lalas so far this year. I do not know if it is a communication issue, or learning new teammates, or resettling in a foreign country, but he has not looked as comfortable or self-assured as he did in the WC games. I understand why he was tentative when he was put in mid-field - I will cut him some slack for trying a position which is not his best. In fact, I admire that he did that job without any ego issues. And, I am hopeful we will see better days from him as he gains more comfort with his surroundings. Nevertheless, those of us who have watched the games are a little disappointed that we have not seen better from him as yet. And, by the way, Lalas was the incumbent central defender on a championship team. So its much more a case of Bo taking Lalas's position than the other way around.
Mooniekim Get a Clue! Hey mooniekim, why don't you get your facts straight before posting crap like this? Lalas was on the best 11 last year! He was in the running for defender of the year, which he deserved over Bocanegra. Here are some of his other accomplishments just so you can get a clue: Was a finalist for the Honda Player of the Decade … named to the Gannett United States Soccer "All-Century Team" ... is 6th all-time in appearances (96), 8th in games started (87), tied for 9th in points (29), 11th in goals (9), and tied for 6th in assists (11) entering 2001 ... appeared in 13 games for U.S. Olympic team (in 1992 and '96), scoring three goals ... started six of USA's first nine games in 1998, tallying an assist in a 2-2 tie against Paraguay ... represented the U.S. in the Atlanta Olympic Games as one of three "wild card" players, playing every minute of every match...winner of the 1995 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Award...named to the 1995 All-Copa America Team ... scored a goal in the 3-0 win over Argentina at the Copa America ... one of five players to play every minute of every game during the 1994 World Cup ... scored clinching goal in the USA's historic 2-0 upset over England at the U.S. Cup '93 ... a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team, he played 45 minutes in a 2-2 tie with Poland, despite suffering a broken foot the week before ... competed with the gold-medal winning U.S. team at the Pan American games in 1991 ... captained the West squad to a gold medal at the 1989 U.S. Olympic Festival … Let's not forget he was the second leaading scorer on the Galaxy last year when they won the championship. While Bo is without question a great player, it's a travesty that MLS has to screw up the final years of one of our greatest soccer legends by bringing in a guy to supposedly sell tickets. Lalas should be on the field no matter what!
Re: Mooniekim Get a Clue! Neither Bo nor Lalas will be put on the field because they have great resumes. Sigi will put on the field the one doing the better job, unless he can find a way to get them both on the field at the same time. Love Lexi and respect his accomplishments. I am a big fan. But, NOBODY, Lexi or anyone else, gets "on the field no matter what." They get on the field when they play well enough to be there.
I honestly feel that you can play Bo and Lalas at the same time. Just not Bo, Lalas, and Califf in a three back defense. Too slow. Bo looked very good against Colorado with Califf. I think Califf's call up for the Confed will force Sigi to rethink an either/or senario with Bo and Lalas.
If Sigi stays with a three man back line, and Califf is off with the nats, who do you put at right back? It would almost have to be Bo, I would think, because Lalas does not have the speed to play there. Maybe a 4 man back line and move EZ back to outside right back and have Bo and Lexi in a middle back tandem?
Re: Re: Mooniekim Get a Clue! Respectfully, you're totally deluded. If AEG/Hamilton say play Hong. Sigi plays Hong. The Galaxy has suffered from politics-over-play decisions often throughout its history (usually involving underperforming Mexican forwards). This won't be any different. To his credit, Hong has not been underperforming but he hasn't been outperforming Lalas, et al by any discernable margin. Take a look at your season ticket book - the cover is printed in English, Spanish and Korean. Hong will start. I hope it's as a marking back and we see Lalas on the field as well. It would be a pitiful sight to watch him claim his MLS Cup ring and then sit on the bench.