the list of LA Galaxy All-time greats? 1) Ezra Hendrickson 2) Mauricio Cienfuegos 3) The Fish 4) Kevin Hartman 5) Cobi He's been the best at his position for several years, played in a ton of games, scored a lot of important goals or set them up and is a former New Orleans Riverboat Gambler.
I only saw a bit of his games, and you are right he didn't look up to par. I think he's known as a slow starter, as the weather warms up, so does he.
I sure hope you are right. When he is "on" his game, a lot of the LAG attack hinges on his runs up the wing. I have met they guy and he is incredibly personable. You couldn't ask for a nicer guy to cheer for. But his play has been brutal so far this year.
EZ is getting old. If we don't trade or let his contract run out, we'll end up retiring him in LA 10 years from now. I don't think I can stand anymore Cienfuegos-like career's, you know, players way past their prime that take up a valuable slot on the roster. But, me thinks we are due for at least one more [Cobi]. ... Or it could just be a slow start.
He had the opportunity to leave LA a few years back, but Oz wouldn't let him go. Now he is a staple, but at 30 he is nearing the down side of his career - but a great career he has had. Of course, when it warms up he'll be fine and dandy, plus I think he was getting over an injury as well.
Please allow me the opportunity to "adjust" your list. 1) COBI 2) Cienfuegos 3) Pescadito 4) Gato (Hartman) 5) Easy E I don't want to minimize Ezra's contributions to our Galaxy over the years (I'm a HUGE fan of his, as well), but to choose him over Cobi & Cien is a bit of a stretch IMHO. Even Ruiz should be ahead of Ezra (Fish is a BIG reason for our MLS Cup). However, Ezra is a BIG part of the Galaxy & I just hope his play improves over the season. I have NO doubt that it will.
Re: Re: Where does Ezra fit in... As a non-Galaxy fan I can accept your changes, but as a former New Orleans Gambler fan he's tops. Cobi...I just don't like him, the runs to the corner, the crappy passing, the stupid fouls...I just can't help it. Plus we expect him to deliver the goods, and he does to some extent. Cien: No arguments, super talent. One of the best assist makers in the league's short history. The Fish: He's going to be one of the best ever. I think he'll break Stern John's (another former New Orleans Gambler) record for most goals in back to back seasons. (I think he has the record with 44) Gato: Capable of greatness, capable of a bone head mistake. EZ: Game winning goals from a defender, recorded 17 goals and 26 assists for 60 points in six seasons … was named Galaxy's Most Valuable Player in 2001 … helped the Galaxy capture its first championship in history, winning the U.S. Open Cup and F.C. Champions' Cup in 2001 … made two MLS Cup final appearances in 1999 and 2001...The guy is a stud. Hard to believe the Mstars cut him. Pretty impressive stuff for a defender.
...bench. Then again, if I had my way, Ezra, Victorine, Elliot, and maybe Allbright (keep in mind break-out year) would all be on the bench, leaving the Galaxy severely undermanned on the field. Good thing I'm not the coach.
If only MLS teams had a few million to buy talent. Yeah, a few guys aren't playing up to their potential but honestly, there isn't a ton of other options out there.
You guys are being too critical of Ez's current performance. Over the course of history he had made many valuable contributions. This is a case of what have you done for me lately, which really isn't fair 4 games into the season is it?
We know its only 4 games, and no one (well, maybe Dawgpound2) is saying EZ should be shipped back to St. Vincent & The Grenadines. The fact is, we are comparing his recent form to his historical form. He doesn't look good in that comparison. History only goes so far. If historical contributions were the only yardstick for a starting spot, Cantona would still be at Man.U. If EZ comes back into form, that's great. But right now, he's not performing at the level we need.
My biggest complaint about Ezra is that he appears slow. Before, during his better days, he appeared deceptively slow; now he's just slow - slow accleration, slow in stride, and slow to close down opposition. Options are not abundant at this point. Perhaps a consideration in face of the ever increasing demand for expansion.