P/I/P: #23 - L.A. Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders FC; 8/5/12; 6:00 P.M. PDT

Bring it on.

 

Thank you Ms. Bubble you rock .

 

“He was remarkable,” Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said of Gonzalez’s performance. “I don’t think we thought he’d make the full 90 minutes tonight, after playing 65 minutes on Tuesday against Tottenham. We had two big centerbacks and a big goalkeeper in there together for the first time tonight, so it makes things a little bit easier.” - MLSsoccer.com

I think this means we aren't seeing the benching of Lopes anytime soon. Wonder what that means for Sean.

 

We're going to be platooning a lot of guys over the next three months. There's going to be plenty of playing time for everyone. This was our strength last year... we had guys who could step in when other guys were injured, suspended, or just plain tired. I don't know that we have starting 11 at this point.

 

Fair point, just curious, and hope no one's feelings get hurt. We keep winning, think the guys will be a-ok.

 

Too true... winning solves most problems

EDIT: With all of that said, if everyone is healthy for the Seattle match, I'd like to see something like the following lineup:

-----------Keane --- LD----------
Magee -- Sarvas -- Juni -- Becks
Gaul -- Gomez -- AJ -- Franklin
------------Saunders------------

I think against Seattle, AJ's speed and smarts is a better tactical matchup than Lopes' power and athleticism (Gonzo can take care of EJ, while AJ takes care of Montero). If we're playing someone like SJ or Colorado, I think Lopes gives us a tactical advantage.

 

Well, David did the sacrifice himself on his tash before you can do anything, anyway.

 

I would imagine it means he moves back to RB and AJ to the bench.

 

Who is Gomez ?

This is a huge game if we wish to finish in the top three which is very important. That said, I'm not convinced that we'll see Gonzales on field turf yet.

We need him though so who knows.

I would do a version of your line up but keep Jimenez in the squad and drop Magee to the bench.

 

When Omar is playing and Landon and Becks are back and no need for Franklin in midfield then Lopes needs to go to the bench. No way Franklin or AJ sit on the bench for Lopes.

A backline of Franklin+ Gonzo + AJ + Duni ( or Gaul for now) works. We know that because we've seen it. For an entire season. Best defense in MLS.

While Omar was injured there were some arguments for Lopes because we were sorely needing some height back there. But Omar is back and he and AJ complement each other synergistically . Godzilla controls the airways and AJ snuffs out any quick threats on the ground.

Also if we play game after game with an Omar-Lopes combo the possibility that Lopes will sometime blindly come crashing into Omar and re-injure him is not nil.

 

JINX!

 

I am just amazed how Gonzalez made Lopes look good. I forgot how good Omar was and he still isn't back at 100%

 

Hey, Herc's back! Nice!

 

Yeah... I um... thought he'd be a good central defender

 

Ya think so? Heh...

 

Not saying it's what I'd do. I just think that it's what Arena will do. He seems to really want two big CB's in there. It's what he wanted last season before Leo got hurt and it's what he seems to want now that Omar is back. AJ or Lopes, as long as we continue to get results I'm good with either. Given we have CCL to deal with I imagine we'll see a fair amount of both.

 

While Omar did 90 in Dallas, that was natural grass. How long does he go on turf?

 

I agree that Arena may stick with the twin towers approach. I was just saying if I were coach no way either AJ or Franklin ride the pine with Lopes on the field. Only exception would be if either AJ or Franklin needed a physical break due to a congested schedule.

 

Can we really have Magee and Becks out wide vs Seattle whom could start rosales and zakuani?
i like
keane/LD
Sarvas/Juninho/Beckham/Franklin
Gaul/ Omar /Lopes / AJ


I think Gaul would need someone in front of him whom could help slow down Rosales a bit... maybe stephens?

 

One could argue this is our first serious opponent since the San Jose game and a great litmus test for just how legitimate this turnaround is. I concur with those suggesting Bruce will rest Omar. I think the '09 (or was it '10) play-off strategy against Seattle and playing both full backs and wing backs in a 4-2-2-2 formation. Nullify their speed and utilize Donovan & Keane on fast counters. I guess thinking about it not that different to the Dallas game.