Okay. With the all-star break upon us, time to fill in the time until the next real game with some mindless speculation and un-informed opinions. Specifically, when Danny Califf comes back and is match fit, who heads to the bench? I hope I speak for the majority when I say that Paul Broome has definitely earned his position ahead of Ricky Lewis in the depth chart. And Albright and Marshall are locks to be in the starting back four. So, it seems that when Califf comes back, we have two options for our starting back four that will anchor our team to the double: Albright-Califf-Marshall-Broome or Albright-Suarez-Califf-Marshall Should Califf and Suarez be a straight-up swap? Or should Marshall slide back out to his left position and Suarez be rewarded for his stronger play of late by staying in the middle with Califf, thereby sending Broome to the bench? The first option keeps more pure speed on the field and ability to push up quickly. The second option more tackling skill, aerial superiority and funky head gear. One way I think Sigi might handle this is to use Califf's first couple of games back as a chance to experiment. I would assume that after his long lay-off, Thug Life won't be ready to go a full 90 right away, so subbing him into a game might be a good option. And depending on how the back-four are playing, he could come in for either of the two guys on the bubble. And then we here on Bigsoccer can analysis and argue over the results ad nauseum... Let the debate begin...
Interesting problem .... until the next injury. Sigi has two weeks to experiment in practice. Its time to settle on a back line and start one combination more than one game in a row! I'm not sure how I would come out, but I think Broome is the most likely to be on the bench and sub in as Danny works out the kinks and dusts off the rust.
It's a tricky situation. They both have been playing well. I would keep Broome in the lineup, primarily for his speed at the back, which I feel we're lacking in.
Option #3: Califf sits. If it aint broke, don't mess up something that already works. No reason for Suarez to head to the bench just because Danny is back. Suarez has legitimately earned his center back position in my mind. I'm not sure we're better by making Broome, Marshall, or Suarez sit.
I agree to a point. If the defense keeps improving like it has, then keep Califf waiting. But somehow, I don't think our defense is that solid just yet. Of course, only time will tell...
Or, to further muddle it up. How about: Aloisi-Bo-Victorine-Lewis Just to totally throw the opposition. They would never expect it... Then we bring in our starters for the playoffs, completely rested and ready to kiss a$$...
There wouldn't be a playoffs for us, then. I don't know. I like Suarez. He is a bit crazy, and he pushes forward. He seems to work well with Saragosa on distributing the ball. He does a good job of being a sort of one-calorie Thug-life. He does seem to make some mistakes, though. The kind of mistakes that go away with starting all the time. When we had Albright and Marshall on the sides, we get forward so fast and so powerfully, that I would say "keep Suarez and Califf in the middle". Marshall can make people bounce off of him when he makes his winding runs (4th of July game), plus he can come out of nowhere to score the equaliser. Let him and Albright cover the sides, keep Califf and Suarez in the middle to distribute the punishment. And get Bo the hell out of here.
I for one have finally become somewhat impressed with Broome's developement with the Galaxy. When he first came, I thought he was worthless, but I think he's come around a great deal. In all honesty, it's a great problem to have. Who would have ever thought that our biggest defensive line signing ever in Hong Myung Bo would not even be brought up in the discussion of our best backline. Think of how much salary it's going to free up when he retires at the end of this season. All things being equal though, it's at least good to have someone with Bo's experience on the bench. And that's what I mean about us having great defensive options. I think it's safe to say that our best backline, considering all being healthy, is: --- Albright --- Califf --- Suarez --- Marshall --- agreed? Broome has become solid, as has Aloisi with his time. Bo is Bo and Ricky Lewis, although not exactly lighting it up, is a reliable backup. So as far as the question goes, I think you have to take Suarez over Broome, but I like having them both in the green and gold.
Whose a$$? I'd rather we'd kick a$$ (I'm sure you have seen the error of your ways by now). That works, if everyone is 100%. Right now, I'm with others in favor of sitting Califf until he's healthy and going with a backline of Albright--Suarez--Marshall--Broome.
My apologies for that last post. I had just started to write it up, and it was going to lead into a serious discussion of our options on the backline and which positions we have some depth at, when THE WIFE came into the room and demanded that I get off the computer and go interract with her and the kids. Sheesh... So, no time to proof read, no time to actually get to the point of the post, etc. And, actually, with the light of a new day, I don't even remember exactly what the point is... Much like the All-Star Game.
From over here in DC, where our defense is in shambles when Nelsen is out and is still an adventure when he plays, it's hard not to be envious of the defensive depth the Galaxy have when healthy. Hell, Lewis and Bo would start at United, and in a lot of other MLS teams, too.
We'll trade you Lewis and Bo for Gros and Adu, straight up. And don't worry about the decrease in Adu attendence, because Bo will bring 5,000 Korean fans to every game. Topper
Yeah, but it's in his contract that the team for which he plays must have a "Korean Cultural Night" to celebrate his arrival. In attendance will be 10,000 confused whites and Latinos eating Kimchi.