Printable View
Or at least play a competitive pre-season match.
Galaxy open the Pan-whatever-they-want-to-call-it Tournament tonight against Gamba Osaka of Japan in Hawaii. (8:00 p.m. - ESPN Classic)
- Hard to get much of a read as neither Donovan nor Ruiz will play due to injury.
- Can't figure out why Vagenas is still on the team
- Martino left out of squad
- Cronin gets first real start in goal
another year..
BTW Gamba is also missing SEVEN player due to Int'l call ups and injuries.
The Galaxy SHOULD be better this year, no question. But they have alot of Friendlies throughout the season and it will wear down the team as the better players are all older.
Does Ruiz still have to sit the first 6 games of the regular season due to suspension? I read that somewhere.
BTW Chivas USA, The DEFENDING WESTERN CONF CHAMPS, will still finish ahead of the Gals in the West.
Not to mention the lack of room for injuries on the defensive line with Jazic already out and Harden leaving MLS. More or less have Babayaro, Franklin and Xavier to key the back line, with Vanney as a sub or a 4th if Ruud plays a 4 man back line. Not exactly the deepest position. any injruies to that line will hurt.
Interesting question on Ruiz. I haven't read anything of that nature. Not sure.
Quote from Sydney's coach, saying "We're here to win this tournament, not get a sun tan"
Also note - some galaxy fans I've talked to were very much wishing Guzan would get his work permit in England and leave chivas :)
Gals look bad so far 1st 20 minutes. should be 3-0 field turf made two saves adn the crossbar got one. Cronin doesn't look like starter material so far. I don't like the guy one bit the more he struggles the better.
I felt real bad for Guzan, hes earned his shot and deserves the HUGE payday, at the same time I am glad he'll be around at least until the summer window opens.
They seem to be relying on Beckham to do the simple tasks. Everytime a player doesn't know what to do with the ball he gives it to Beckham regardless of how many players are marking him.
Also the artificial turf looks like it's giving the Galaxy problems.
The team is completely different from last season and they have no clue what Beckham is going to do.
I didn't realize how much of a "scrimmage" it was going to be. I'd say half the guys who played last night probably won't be starters for LA come opening game.
Gullit appears to be using these games to determine which young guys will get a shot.
Some good crosses from Beckham, but terrible touches from other players. He looked quite frustrated. Will be a different story when donovan and ruiz are up front. But looks like the G's will be counting on 3 players to carry a large portion of the load.
Thought Beckham and Franklin hooked up well in the 2nd half.
Valentin didn't look too bad in back. Some well timed tackles and seemed to keep his position well.
Vanney looked awful slow.
Roberts looked awful.
Cronin looked shaky. Wicks looked better in 2nd half, but wasn't tested all that much. Seemed to get the ball back in play a lot quicker than cronin.
Too bad the permit process is rough overseas. If Guzan plays well he'll probably get some more looks from Europe down the line.
BTW I was wrong about Ruiz he has no pending suspension. Its ricardo Clark who does, Hes the guy who hit Carlos, I assume Carlos was guilty becuase of his Forberg like diving, sorry.
I would say half those guys wont even be on the roster X, Landon Martino and ruiz weren't there, you know they'll make the squad
ah yes. that kick:Quote:
Originally Posted by SuxBeingU
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA_c1FClBMo]YouTube - Ricardo Clark kicks Carlos Ruiz (Larger Version)[/ame]
Regarding Martino - I'm hearing he's healthy, but Gullit decided to leave him out of the squad.
The defense was brutal, and the midfield outside of Beckham wasn't a whole lot better.
No Xavier and no Babyaro, so it's not time to run up the white flag yet... but yikes.
lets not forget they were missing half of their starters as well. It shhould have been an even match. The team they play for thrid beat them 2-0 a couple of months ago. As much as I hate the Galaxy I do wish they would prove to the world that MLS is better than everyone thinks, sadly they are reinforcing the stereotype.
