That's right. It's a Pre-Game thread. Not an "all-purpose" thread. Ya know why? Because some people like things organized into nice little threads. That's why. And I like Pre-Game threads and Post-Game threads because I don't wanna read about the pre-game crap after the game is over. Got that? Anyway, here is my lazy cut-n-paste pre-game piece from MLSnet.com. "GALAXY TO BATTLE FOR FIRST IN WEST SATURDAY IN KANSAS CITY: The Los Angeles Galaxy (9-5-5, 32 pts. - 1st West) look to maintain their grip on first place in MLS' Western Conference entering the All-Star break as they play the Kansas City Wizards (9-4-4, 31 pts) at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, July 24 at 5 pm (PT). The match will be the second between the teams this season, with Kansas City winning the first by a 2-1 margin on June 5 at The Home Depot Center. It also marks the last match for both clubs before the 2004 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, to be held in Washington, D.C. on July 31 (see details below). The Galaxy lead the all-time series with the Wizards by a 16-14-3 margin and have a 5-10-0 in games played in Kansas City. The match will televised tape delayed to 8:00 pm to viewers throughout Southern California on KWHY Channel 22 (Spanish), but will be available live on radio in both English (KMPC 1540 AM) and Spanish (KMXE 830 AM)." You're welcome, Topper
How did Knave get Topper's password?? Wang. I have nothing to add. Just a question. Is Tyrone gonna be playing? I hope so. The prospect of Bo having to take on Wolff, Arnaud and company is not a pleasing thought.
Oh my-that is a scary, scary thought! Who will be playing in back? Albright, Suarez, Marshall, Broome ? Anecdote- I have those silly Galaxy bobbleheads from last season sittng on the window sill in my office. Over the weekend, I guess the cleaning crew or someone bumped them. Predictably, I found the Ruiz doll lying on it's side. The Bo doll didn't move...
Topper's cat makes me want to become an alcoholic. Which reminds me, Meola has been looking good in goal. We'll need to step it up a little if we want to put the ball in the net. The last two game's performances ain't gonna cut it.
What do you mean "say" he is a diver?? That's like saying people "say" Sigi is fat. But yes, there other large men in the world.
Once again I can't predict a win here. I think the roles are reversed though over Wednesday's game and we are actually the underdogs with the current roster. Prediction: Galaxy 1 : Wizards 1
I'll Say Angered after our defeat in the player haters cup by those punk b!tches from Minnesota. The Galaxy will show those hoes from kansas city how real tricks should work when their pimp is in town. Get some of those Rib-eyed tricks, and some of those fillet-min-hoes out on the stroll so we can get piz-aid!! take that b!tches....
[pessimist hat]you, know we haven't looked good for a while, like before the last time we played kansas city and the last 10 minutes of the home game against the fire. we look lost going forward and for a team that has 4 of the top 20 points leaders and a shaky, constantly shifting defense, we're relying on them way too much (thankfully they seem to be getting their act together). if we could get the O and the D firing at the same time we'd be unstoppable. unfortunately we haven't and i don't see us doing it in this game; we're tired, we're on the road, we're playing a 4th game in 7 days against a team that is just en fuego and, for me, the team to beat in MLS right now[/pessimist hat] having said that i didn't think we'd beat chicago or san jose either. perhaps this is the galaxy team of 2002 where by hook or by crook they manage to win.
I sure hope so. What is the stat on allowing the 1st goal but still winning come the end of regulation? For some reason this makes me think LA will win it all. In 2002 I was late to every game at the Rose Bowl (arrived 5 minutes before game time entered RB around 25th minute) and we would be down 0-1 in so many games. But we would wind up winning those games. It came to the point where it became a good omen to be down a goal. And I award 65k internet repuatation points to dashiel for using 'by hook or by crook'.........one of my fav sayings.
The bounce back theory would be better if it weren't a bounce back from a midweek game. If the Galaxy comes away with a draw from this one, they will really have confidence for the distance.
A draw or hopefully a win 'cause that will put us in a good position- first place with two weeks to rest and heal, and then a nice, balanced schedule the rest of the way without all the craziness. I'm going to think happy thoughts and hope that the stinker they laid on Tues., combined with the injection of all the starters that rested up back here in LA, can combine to create a good, solid 90 minutes for our guys. 2-1 LA
These teams will both be missing key defensive players. That could either a) tighten the game up and make it a boring, midfield kick around or b) a goalfest. For entertainment value B is what people will want from this "Biggest game of the season to this point", but for results I think KC will take some air out of the ball in this one. KC will have a makeshift defense, missing starters Thomas (red last week) and Garcia (points accumulation). That could make for a leaky defense. No Garcia means no getting to watch him and Ruiz go at each other's throats. Bummer, thats always fun. Big game, should be fun to watch. The winner starts to take a bit of the drivers seat.
well i guess that gives us a sporting chance at least. still this is going to be san jose (away) all over again. just one too many things working against us. i hope to at least see the same passion and committment that i saw against sojo.
Don't see us winning in KC. The Wizards are on fire right now and the Galaxy are too Jekyll and Hyde for comfort. I would love to predict a victory, but the realist / pessimist in me ain't letting go.
Yeah, I was feeling really good about this game until I heard Garcia was out. On the right side of our defense will be Alex Zotinca who Im still not sure is even a defender and was playing indoor soccer last year with the Comets. He's been good going forward, but is shaky defensively. Taylor Graham is likely to get the start as the right center back. He's a rookie and has seen little playing time due to Conrad and Thomas being so solid. I can only imagine what Ruiz is going to try on him. He has been impressive for the most part, but is still untested. The only other forward he has faced this year that has Ruiz' quickness of thought is Jason Kreis, and he scored a goal on Graham before getting tossed a few minutes later. The only way I see KC getting just out and out 3 points is if the Galaxy get caught on at least 2 counters. We'll probably try to sit back a bit and try to cover our weaknesses.
As of now, this is our injury list: OUT: Califf QUESTIONABLE: Vagenas, Albright, Marshall, Bo PROBABLE: Jones, Herzog, Saragosa, Suarez In addition to Garcia and Thomas, KC is also missing Preki and Simutenkov, so some scoring threat is gone. We might see Albright and/or Marshall sub so look for Aloisi to start. This game is either going to be a gurdge match where neither side will play near the goal lines or one with many counters and scoring chances. I've got that feeling, but unfortunately, I also feel we may only come away with a draw at best.
Hopefully, Grabavoy will not once again be rewarded for his good play as of late having to sit on hte bench, having to watch Victorine S**K up the joint again. But that is all just wishful thinking. With all the injuries to the back 4... I wonder if they may try the 2 - 6 - 2 alignment. At this point with the way the Galaxy have been playing as of late and all the injuries, I would be satisfied with a draw. At least they would go into the All-Star break in first.
otice ow the only ones out or questionable are deffenders. That's not good. I think a key to any success in this game is Herzog playing, its a idfferent team with him in there. And I hope at east one of eithe ralbirhgt or Marshall play, cuz our defense is more then leaky.
hasn't really affected us so far this year. We're playing as a team. I don't see that with you guys. However, this is a huge game. Should be outstanding. Hope it doesn't pour as it always seems to when you guys come to town. 3-1 KC.
About all I can conclude from these posts, the season thus far, and insane parity in MLS: Not a flippin' clue what's going to happen! Any better advertisement for watching a sporting event than that???