The All Things MLS, NWSL, USMNT/USWNT et al Thread

[Moog]

Man that pitch was baaaaad!

No way the World Cup pitches can have that be acceptable. US grass over turf has got to be better. Playing on top of carpet sucks!

US got hemmed in too many times and played too deep. They were missing quality 8’s and 10’s. Striker was lacking as well.

If the US had their full quality first team, combined with this B team’s drive and desire to play for the crest we might not get grouped at the World Cup.


Hats off to Mexico. They were the better team today.

 

[ucsdguy1]

Yeah Mexico far outplayed us. No possession and no attack. Luna and Berhalter had to pretty much play as extra defensemen.

Definite home game for Mexico, to be expected.

I hope Poch can get this fire out of some of our regulars. Not much time to do it

 

[Moog]

What was the AEG one?

 

[What party?]

View attachment 12444

Daaannng, Moog, pulling no punches today.

Agreed about the pitch being trash it also looked muggy af. Hats off to Mexico indeed. The stats said it all --possession, shots, defensive blocks--all Mexico.That header by Alvarez was the dagger tho. I feel like even after 70+ minutes of the match you could still smell a faint hint of his cologne. =)Those guys looked great, in all the ways that matter and don't.

Hey, you need to beat the best to be the best. Rivals are a good thing and Mexico having our number is fueling our fire. Hopefully.

 

[Moog]

So "if" Kuntz makes moves during the summer transfer window what moves for the G's what would you like to see?

IMHO (my "reasonable" list - assumes they can be done considering the Galaxy cap restraints)

1) I would like the G's to get a CB (young(er) who can compliment Garces, and one who has some height)
How this gets done I dunno. Clearly the G's need help at CB....so this one is an easy one.

2) I think the G's clearly lack an 8. Sanabria and Cerrillo tend to occupy the same 6 spot.
Sanabria never looks comfortable as a box to box guy as he is very defensive.
As much as I like Cerrillo, if the G's could make a inter-league trade Cerrillo for a strong MLS 8, and move Sanabria to the 6......would you do it?

It just seems quite a bit of the G's issues are that nobody can move the ball up the field.
There is a big gap from Cerrillo and Sanabria to Reus. It's a deadzone. When Sanabria is out, the team appears to play better, but the G's have invested a lot into Sanabria, so he's not going anywhere. I'd like to see him as a 6 ...very curious to see how he does.

3) Short term Striker?
Clearly Ramirez is not "it". Nasci may well be the future....sorta reminds me of Dejan's early days in terms of getting reps and getting into the groove of things. .....but he has quite a bit of time still needed to be "that" guy. Perhaps a solid veteran striker to sub on would be nice.

Then again I would not be surprised if Kuntz does nothing.

 

[ucsdguy1]

All the above?

Need a clinical striker. I'd say midfielder who can move the ball but that's Puig. CB. Everything now is pretty much about next year though. I don't think he's pressured to do anything major now.

Since it's Robbie Keane's birthday today, here's a throwback to him getting fouled but getting a yellow for diving, then sent off for complaining about the ref



2:18

Legend.

 

[Moog]

Tom Bogert:

How much GAM do they need in 2026? Who will fit with Puig? Is Lucas Sanabria a long-term fit in the midfield? What about Elijah Wynder? Will the Galaxy trigger the purchase option on Matheus Nascimento? Is there a contract extension for Christian Ramirez? Does Greg Vanney trust Novak Micovic to be the starter? What is the market for Julian Aude? Is there a way out of some bad deals?

Checking off a few of those boxes this summer will go a long way to contending again in 2026.

https://www.givemesport.com/summer-transfer-needs-for-each-mls-western-conference-team/

 

[Moog]

 

[ucsdguy1]

Like I love to see it, but at the same time...this season is a wash. I assume this is just general movement and really hope they have no need to rush him. Lets be 100% certain before letting him do anything strenuous.

 

[Moog]

Like I love to see it, but at the same time...this season is a wash. I assume this is just general movement and really hope they have no need to rush him. Lets be 100% certain before letting him do anything strenuous.

Agreed. Just because he is back in "training" does not mean he is training "with" the squad.
He is probably training off to the side, and this will be for a good amount of time.

IMHO if he has zero setbacks, he could be match ready in September........maybe.
I would be shocked (and concerned) at anything sooner.

 

[ucsdguy1]

Agreed. Just because he is back in "training" does not mean he is training "with" the squad.
He is probably training off to the side, and this will be for a good amount of time.

IMHO if he has zero setbacks, he could be match ready in September........maybe.
I would be shocked (and concerned) at anything sooner.

I mean if it's September, why even bother? Just get the guy right for next year. Unless we suddenly make a magical run but come on

That said, if we don't beat DC saturday I'll scream.

 

[Moog]

I mean if it's September, why even bother? Just get the guy right for next year. Unless we suddenly make a magical run but come on

That said, if we don't beat DC saturday I'll scream.

Puig is not going to be playing for anything at all. That ship has sailed.

I understand why some might want him to remain in bubble-wrap for this entire season, however with this kind of an injury......when he is ready, he should get minutes in real matches.

He has got to get over his fears, and get used to the knee, and trust it.
Shake off the rust, get used to the new knee, see if there is "any" chemistry with this roster.

I'm sure Kuntz will want to see what he has in "re-furbished" Puig, and how he works with this current roster as we get to the winter transfer window.

...and yes...more wins at home, please!

 

[Moog]

Per COG Podcast:

INJURY UPDATE: When asked about Riqui Puig's return timeline, Vanney mentions it's not weeks, but months. How many months depends on how Riqui handles his different levels of activity.

 

[Moog]

View attachment 12444

….and then the club banned him for it.



Sure AEG can make the rules and do whatever they want. They are the owners.

However if you want a straight up, classic case of how to drive away the most dedicated core of your fan base, this is pretty much how to do it.

 

[ucsdguy1]

Someone in ACB’s section was holding a banner tonight that ended with “free Nestor”. Is that the photographer?

Regardless, eerie quiet in the stadium when the game started tonight. Of course that does allow more to hear some vociferous outlandish chants for fun

Why was the field so water logged tonight on one side? Weird it was like puddles bouncing and the ball dying for awhile, at least that’s how it appeared in person.

DC is terrible and the G’s probably should have put a couple more up to not let it get so close. Especially with seemingly almost all possession in the first half. Nevertheless, a win is a win is a win. Keep the train rolling!

 

[Moog]

Pics of Saturday match banners.

First match I attended this year. Nice to see the win.
Boy, DC is TRAAAASH!!!....but leave it to the Galaxy to almost squander a win for a draw.
It really should not be this hard.

Why does Vanney leave Reus on for so long?!?! 2-0 lead...sub that guy off so much sooner.
Dude's legs are gonna fall off!

My thoughts on Nascimento:
I paid close attention to him to watch him off the ball.
In short, no need to keep him after his loan expires. He has very little movement off the ball.
He does not drag defenders much, he rarely makes dangerous runs, let alone any runs.
He is not dangerous in the box. Looks like he would rather lay it off than go for goal.
He is basically a hold-up striker, and an adequate one at best. He is a far cry from Dejan.
I think the only reason he looks "good" versus Ramirez is that Reus is back in "form" and he is playing a bit of a false 9, so that helps with the offense.

G's offseason need will be a new striker.


Sad that the stadium was soooo quiet. No supporters really kills the vibe.
Sucks that the Galaxy organization can't see the forest for the trees when it comes to their fans and supporters. All it would take is the smallest, most vanilla of PR statements....but nope.

Meanwhile, fellow G's: Support your local hot dog vendors on the way out!!!

 

[ucsdguy1]

I was there too! Getting over sickness so probably heard me coughing from 109 since it was so quiet to start!

I watched Paintsill. The guy has speed and gets possession but still seems a bit late in figuring out where to pass or where he's going to go with the ball. Pec got open quite a bit on the right where a cross would've seen him open but never got there. nevertheless, Paintstill can still blow by guys and is a threat. And after this abuse I am 100% Team Joseph. We tried yelling we love you to him in warmups but didn't hear

Agree on Reus. There's a story going around of a massive fan of his that came in from Germany and got to meet him on the field after the game and went nuts. It's really great. I gotta find the video.

edit: hopefully this link will work:

you gotta love it

 

[Moog]

Agreed about Joseph. His strength is on a counter and using his speed to get behind defenders.
Then after that it's either straight to goal or a simple pass. Anything other than that (one on one, or playmaking) he's not the guy.

That being said, if he is tactically used and played to his strengths he is fantastic!
Last year we had Puig who could find him, and send him on his way behind defenders.
This year, not so much.

 

[ucsdguy1]

Agreed about Joseph. His strength is on a counter and using his speed to get behind defenders.
Then after that it's either straight to goal or a simple pass. Anything other than that (one on one, or playmaking) he's not the guy.

That being said, if he is tactically used and played to his strengths he is fantastic!
Last year we had Puig who could find him, and send him on his way behind defenders.
This year, not so much.

Agreed. It's better though than at the beginning of the season.

Reus has been a breath of fresh air the past few games, I'll admit. Stamina may not be the best but he can find his spots.

DC really is terrible. I'm curious how they look Wednesday with a short turnaround and Austin being an actual playoff team.

 

[Moog]

Agreed. It's better though than at the beginning of the season.

Reus has been a breath of fresh air the past few games, I'll admit. Stamina may not be the best but he can find his spots.

DC really is terrible. I'm curious how they look Wednesday with a short turnaround and Austin being an actual playoff team.

Hence why Vanney's substitutions are head scratchers to put it kindly.

Reus was subbed off in the 84th minute.
Vanney's first group of subs were in 78th minute.

DC united scored their lone goal to make it 2-1 in the 77th minute.


ONE: Why is Reus out there for additional 6 minutes?

TWO: Why isn't Reus in the first group of subs at the 78th minute.
These guys were all lined up for substitutions when DC scored.

.....so you're telling me when Vanney makes his first sub selections..........with the score line at 2-0.......with an upcoming midweek match.........Vanney thought keeping Reus on the pitch was a good idea?!?!?!?

Add to that....why is Vanney making subs so late in the match with a 2-0 lead at home?!?!
78th minute?!?!? I dunno.

I have a bad feeling about the match against Austin.