What Do You Think About Sigi Now?

You are correct to note that they have one more game played, and I would add that they have had more home games, too. IMO, taking four points from the two away games coming up will be a real deal-sealer. I am still concerned how well they can do on the road, because they haven't had many away games yet. Also, I think the draw with D.C. United at home is a disappointment, given United's performances against other teams.

 

I like this question/thread. For me the jury is still out, b/c we've played mre games and home games. Three of the next 4 are on the road, so we'll see how we stand. But I think the jury is leaning towards a "forgiven" verdict.

It will take a LOT for me to forgive Sigi for not mixing up the line-up more last year. It was his responsibility and he failed.

This team IS much more entertaining and it's starting to have a bit of a "gel" to it. I like the future of this squad as well. This year's rookie class shows potential and in future seasons I believe mid-field will be our strength, believe it or not.

 

As long as Sigi keep that midfield. we'll be ok. Maybe add Cobi in for Graboski every so often.

 

Is no one bothered watching Gaven mature into one of the most promising players in the league while Memo, more highly touted a year and a half ago, still sits on the bench for Sigi?

 

Uh, I sure as hell am. Whereas I see Sigi's justification (he's still not ready for primetime and his position is one that takes a long time to master), I'm not sure that the Galaxy/MLS is the best route for this youngster. He needs pt. Yeah, it's great to practice daily w/ a really strong roster of players, game situations are fundamental in the development of elite athletes.

 

Who is Graboski? Did Sigi merge Jovan Kirovski and Ned Grabavoy into one player? Awesome!!! Not only does LA get an excellent players, but it also helps w/ salary cap issues

 

I liked what I saw.

It will be interesting to see what happens when injuries do not force Sigi's hand on midfield substitutions.

I'm not ready to rush to judgment and declare all is well.

However, Sigi has one advocate here as long as he keep's Bo's posterior nailed firmly to the bench.

 

We have yet to win on the road. I am happy so far but until we can win a game or two on the road I will not be convinced he has changed his ways. Next two on the road we need at LEAST one win. a Win and draw would be good two wins would be great but I fear near impossible.

 

I credit Klinsman for any improvement in style we are showing.

 

What these guys said.

Just way too early to pass any verdict on the Sigster. It's a crapshoot right about now with regard to what team is going to show up on any particular day. For all we know, the Crew may end up in MLS Cup 2004...doubt it...but you never can tell with this league. Things do look better than last year at this point.

 

If I may make one comment. There is one thing in particular that stuck out to me, and is the reason why LA has been so successful. It is the very same thing that has made New Jersey so good and to a lesser extent, D.C. This thing that I'm referring to is, of course, roster depth. Roster depth not only makes line-ups unpredictable (as the Crew found out on Saturday) but it ensures that those in the starting eleven not only deserve to be there by fighting for their roster spot all week in practice, but they want to be there.

In New Jersey, Bob Bradley brought in three skilfull, strong forwards, in addition to Wolyniec and Magee. The midfield has also improved by the improved play and maturity of Gaven, Clark, and Lisi. Even "Mr. Irrelevant" Jeff Parke has pushed Bonseu to the bench and earned himself a starting spot alongside Eddie Pope. The new additions and strong roster has made New Jersey a better more unpredictable team.

Sigi Schmid has, in my opinion, done the same thing in LA. You brought in Herzog, Kirovski, and Saragosa, and added a few strong players via draft, including Ngwenya and Grabavoy. With these additions, LA can switch between a more attack oriented lineup and a more defensively minded eleven. This not only gives Sigi more options, but keeps opponents guessing, and can only make the team stronger. Victorine and Vagenas played their way to the bench (Victorine no doubt because he couldn't finish) and Bo and Cobi seem unable to work their way off of it.

Regardless of how this season pans out, Sigi has made this team better by making it stronger and deeper. A team full of players fighting for starting spots is a much better predicament than the one in which San Jose currently find themselves. Not only do they have players who are assured spots in the starting eleven and are therefore not being pushed for significant playing time, but they also are weak in a number of positions, particularly on the wings. If Kinnear had eighteen players all fighting for eleven spots, San Jose would not currently find themselves in last place in the West. It would make them more unpredictable and thus a more daunting opponent.

 

I still think that the man must wear a steel girder for a belt just to keep that belly from tipping him over when he walks. He would be like a turtle, just on his stomach as opposed to his back.


I dunno. He benched a bunch of his darlings against Columbus, which I guess is cool. I'm not sure how different the score would have been, though.

I agree with Via_Chicago, though. I think our more creative players, both new and from last year, are beginning to take hold. I love the look of a team with Ngwenya, Marshall, Kirovski, and Saragosa than Victorine, Bo, and Moreno.

 

Bo lost his job when he was injured and has been unable to regain it. Jones has been injured and unavailable for most of the first 4 games. I believe that even Victorine and Vagenas were listed as injured for Saturday's game which is why they did not even take part in warmups.

I for one will be interested to see if Victorine will be FORCED back into the lineup when he returns from injury as he was last year. If Victorine remains on the bench, than I might start believing that Sigi is capable of making changes that are not due to injuries.

 

Like others, a little early to tell. I'll wait after the next four games to make an assessment.

 

Anyone else think it possible Sigi would start a mid-field totally comprised of new players? Kiro, Ned, Joe and Saragossa. Gotta give him credit, I never saw that one coming and still didn't believe it when the starters were announced.

 

Sasha's bad ankle explains part of it.

Slight correction: Kiro was up top and Herzog was in the mid-field. But your point is still good - a complete turnover of personel. On the other hand, after last year's experiment with the donut formation (Big hole in the middle) its not that surprising.

 

These "injuries" are BOGUS.

Remember when Agoos sucked it up at the WC and then was benched with an "injury?"

I think this is a way for coaches to let the players to keep face when they are playing bad and the coach benches them. Not that it's bad thing, it's actually a good way to go about things...

These guys are PROfessionals, they are always injured a little. Pete and Sasha could have gone last week.....with the same injuries, Ruiz would have been on the field NO DOUBT.

 

Sasha went into the hospital for an MRI Monday. Results later today. Don't be too quick to discount this.

 

I think you are picking on the wrong midfielder. Victorine's performance in the home opener was superior to Grabavoy's performance on Saturday. Ngwenya has seemed superior to Torres. But the most drastic difference was Saragosa over Vagenas. Victorine can come back into the lineup but if Vagenas does for any reason other than an injury or poor performance for Saragosa then Sigi is back to his old tricks.

 

Frankly,

Our midfield still sucks. Everyone is glowing a bit too much from us defeating the Columus Crew this past weekend. Columbus had a midfield of Elliot, Mas, Oughton and an underachieving Martino. If we couldn't dictate play against a team that has mas and Ougton on the wings then we were truely hopeless.

And, honestly, we still didn't look that supperior this past weekend. We'd have flashes of quality and looooooonngggg stretches of nothing.

We are still a team that will starve our quality forwards of service and it's not that entertaining to watch.

I'm happy about the current standings but i'm more then a little suspicious about this team's potential to deliver this year.

Mike

 

i don't disagree, but keep in mind this was the first competitive match that these guys lined up in. it was gwen, grabby and saragosa first pro start and despite columbus sucking ass they played better than the line-up with victorine and vagenas in it.

give these guys three or four games together and it'll be easier to make an honest assessment. if nothing else, and it's been said a lot this season, there is genuine competition for every spot. bar ruiz and hartman there are no "automatic" starters for me this year.

 

My point on Victorine being FORCED into the lineup is in reference to 2003 when he was forced into the lineup at the expense of Albright who I thought was playing quite well at the time.

As far as Victorine in 2004, I thought the Revolution was quite pedestrian, with the exception of the work he did against Jay Heaps setting up the 3rd goal. But than again it was only Jay Heaps. His play against DC and Colorado were very 2003 like performanaces.

The bottom line is, from what I saw of Grabavoy I think his upside is much greater than Victorine and I think he showed that he deserves more playing time.

 

What is Victorine's natural position anyway?

Correct me if I'm wrong by=ut he came into the league as a forward right? Didn't he score on his debut as a forward up top against DC on opening day several years ago? Hasn't he also played right midfield and even right back for the Bruce on the National team? Nowe he's being asked to play wide left.

Which is his preferred position? Which is his preferred foot?

Mike