Unfortunately, for our LA Galaxy - it was an AWFUL, UGLY first day opening!
LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids @ Dick's Sporting Stadium in Denver...
Clearly, Colorado got the better of us. As I predicted they were successful in frustrating and over-running us! Why? Because, our LA Galaxy was too busy trying to figure what to do... we had HUGE gaps in placement, positioning, ball-control, and experience! This is the HUGE risk that I'm sure Head Coach Ruud took away from today's match. And, Colorado totally capitalized on our inexperience! We tried to play a 4 - 3 - 3. It went horribly wrong! Why? Because our players with the exception of David Beckham, Carlos Ruiz, Alvaro Pires, and Abel Xavier - do NOT have the soccer field vision and memory-burnt in. To play 4 - 3 - 3 takes 3 - 4 years of playing in 4 - 3 - 3. We have too many young players in our team. Having young players is NOT a bad thing. It's NOT! I absolutely like Ely Allen, Sean Franklin, Julian Valentin, Michael Gavin, Brandon McDonald, and Bryan Jordan. But, they have GOT to be played in FIRM, BOUNDARIED 4 - 4 - 2 or 4 - 5 - 1 formation in this stage of their game & development! Head Coach Ruud decided to take a HUGE GAMBLE by trying to test this team. And,, by the outcome - it was clearly evident that it WILL NOT WORK! Please... Please... Please... I am begging you Head Coach Ruud, and LA Galaxy Management... Please REMOVE Peter Vagenas, Alan Gordon, Edson Buddle, and Steve Cronin from our 2008 team. It needs to be done. We have to bring in very good, hungry, fast, skillful/crafty players. We absolutely need an ATTACKING CENTRAL MIDFIELDER, LEFT-WING MIDFIELDER, LEFT-WING BACK DEFENDER, and RIGHT-WING BACK DEFENDER!!! Please get these players from Brazil / Argentina / Ecuador / Colombia. Please do it! Do it before things get any more worse! Stop playing Chris Klein in Right-Wing Back (Defender)... He cannot keep up with the current MLS attackers! Stop playing Landon Donovan on the Left-Wing... He just does not score and get the confidence to attack from LEFT. Landon Donovan should be in CENTER... and maybe on the RIGHT. Sorry, but three years is enough time to prove if you have what it takes to be a good goal keeper. Come on - experimentation OVER!
Here's a formation that will work for our Galaxy in 1st Half (45 - 55 Minutes):
RUIZ
ELY MICHAEL LANDON CHRIS DAVID
ALVARO GREG ABEL TROY
JOSH
Here's the formation to use for our Galaxy in the 2nd Half (55 - 100 Minutes):
RUIZ
MIKE ELY LANDON BRANDON CHRIS
ALVARO GREG JULIAN TROY
JOSH
By the final score of that game (our first away game in 2008) : Colorado Rapids WON (4 - 0).
Saturday, March 29, 2008
2008 MLS Season got underway today!
Some observations on three MLS opening day matches that I got to watch. And, I am so glad that MLS season is finally here. This will be an exciting year for many teams, I imagine!
Match ONE : Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC @ Columbus
Once again, Sigi Schmid showed that he has the "where-with-all" to make good, solid choices when it comes to forming his team. He used steady, solid dependable players. More than that he knows he has players on his team that are FAST, FLANK RUNNERS. And, he will position them wisely to get the most out of "break-out plays". The opposition needs to have pacy defenders to keep up with these fast, flank runners.
John Carver is new to this league - has coaching experience in England... but, still new to this league. I believe that Toronto FC is still not there yet. I believe they need a good five games or so before they find their form. But, Maurice Edu, Marvell Wynne, and Brian Edwards peformed well for this match.
Columbus WON (2 - 0).
Match TWO : Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake @ Rice-Eccles in Salt Lake City
Dennis Hamlett should be happy with his defenders. They showed to be solid and composed. And, they played like they understood where they have to play & hold. But, the Midfielders and Forwards needs more work, I believe. Diego Gutierrez, Bakary Soumare, and Justin Mapp all played well.
Jason Kreis's team looks more potent in offense... but, the key thing that stands out is how good Real Salt Lake's offense is in capitalizing on turn-overs and fast-breaks.
The problem for a lot of MLS teams playing Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles will be the stadium itself. It's artifical turf! This surface is not good for players who are trying to fight off old injuries. Also, it is very hard to control the ball on passes. Typically, the ball rolls off faster than many players can reach or catch up.
Played to a TIE (1 - 1).
Match THREE : Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution
Houston played like they normally do... like what we expect out of a 2-X MLS Cup winning team. The players in Houston Dynamo are experienced, well-positioned, well-controlled, and confident. But, today they found out that this season is NOT going to be as easy as last year. There's a lot more experience and talent in other MLS teams this year!
Steve Nicol and Asst. Coach Mariner should be very proud of their New England team. With just the addition of two or three younger players... it made a HUGE difference in New England's offense! WOW!!! Nyassi & Mansally are FAST!!! And, they play very well with the rest of the New England team. Mauricio Castro is a very good addition to the LEFT-FLANK! Once again, Shalrie Joseph EASILY proved why (in my mind) he is the BEST CENTRAL OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE midfielder in MLS. If New England can continue to play the way they did on opening day... Watch out Houston... Watch out DC-United... Watch out Chivas USA!
New England Revolution WON (3 - 0).
Match ONE : Columbus Crew vs. Toronto FC @ Columbus
Once again, Sigi Schmid showed that he has the "where-with-all" to make good, solid choices when it comes to forming his team. He used steady, solid dependable players. More than that he knows he has players on his team that are FAST, FLANK RUNNERS. And, he will position them wisely to get the most out of "break-out plays". The opposition needs to have pacy defenders to keep up with these fast, flank runners.
John Carver is new to this league - has coaching experience in England... but, still new to this league. I believe that Toronto FC is still not there yet. I believe they need a good five games or so before they find their form. But, Maurice Edu, Marvell Wynne, and Brian Edwards peformed well for this match.
Columbus WON (2 - 0).
Match TWO : Chicago Fire vs. Real Salt Lake @ Rice-Eccles in Salt Lake City
Dennis Hamlett should be happy with his defenders. They showed to be solid and composed. And, they played like they understood where they have to play & hold. But, the Midfielders and Forwards needs more work, I believe. Diego Gutierrez, Bakary Soumare, and Justin Mapp all played well.
Jason Kreis's team looks more potent in offense... but, the key thing that stands out is how good Real Salt Lake's offense is in capitalizing on turn-overs and fast-breaks.
The problem for a lot of MLS teams playing Real Salt Lake at Rice-Eccles will be the stadium itself. It's artifical turf! This surface is not good for players who are trying to fight off old injuries. Also, it is very hard to control the ball on passes. Typically, the ball rolls off faster than many players can reach or catch up.
Played to a TIE (1 - 1).
Match THREE : Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution
Houston played like they normally do... like what we expect out of a 2-X MLS Cup winning team. The players in Houston Dynamo are experienced, well-positioned, well-controlled, and confident. But, today they found out that this season is NOT going to be as easy as last year. There's a lot more experience and talent in other MLS teams this year!
Steve Nicol and Asst. Coach Mariner should be very proud of their New England team. With just the addition of two or three younger players... it made a HUGE difference in New England's offense! WOW!!! Nyassi & Mansally are FAST!!! And, they play very well with the rest of the New England team. Mauricio Castro is a very good addition to the LEFT-FLANK! Once again, Shalrie Joseph EASILY proved why (in my mind) he is the BEST CENTRAL OFFENSIVE/DEFENSIVE midfielder in MLS. If New England can continue to play the way they did on opening day... Watch out Houston... Watch out DC-United... Watch out Chivas USA!
New England Revolution WON (3 - 0).
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Mar. 3rd - Deadline for MLS Teams to be Roster & Salary Compliant
Well, it has been a long while since I posted. And, a LOT has happened with our LA Galaxy. A lot has happened for the GOOD, in my opinion. I believe that Head Coach Ruud Gullit, Asst. Coach Cobi Jones, Director of Soccer Paul Bravo, and, even, David Beckham involved are making good decisions for our LA Galaxy. Way to go, men... Keep it up - Do NOT falter! Ruud Gullit wants ALL of the team members to be very physically fit. He even mandated a more healthier diet for all of the players. I like it! Our LA Galaxy has been involved in spectacular pre-season matches to shape up our guys before the 2008 MLS season starts. So far, our LA Galaxy team has only won one of those pre-season tournament games. However, we have many youngsters in our team, now! I like that, too! Basically, Ruud wants ALL of the players on our LA Galaxy team to be able to play multiple field positions. Excellent! This makes for a better, more adaptive team especially in times of injuries. David Beckham is looking and playing determined, solid soccer. His passes and crosses are excellent. And, he's been playing all 90 minutes for almost all of the pre-season games. He really, really wants Fabio Capello (England National Team's Head Coach) to pick him and play him in an England national match so that he can earn his 100th National Team cap. I hope and pray that he gets that opportunity.
Okay, in my opinion, the following list of players should get WAIVED (let go)... Our LA Galaxy team needs to be salary compliant. Here are the players that have NOT impressed me... and, keep struggling to maintain good performance and distribution in games :
Kelly Gray (Midfielder/Defender/Center-Field) ; $ 88,000
Peter Vagenas (Midfielder/Defender/Center-Field) ; $ 132,000
Alan Gordon (Forward/2nd-Striker/Center-Field) ; $ 33,000
Kyle Martino (Midfielder/Left or Right Winger) ; $ 55,000
Kevin Harmse (Defender/Midfielder/Center-Field) ; $ 42,000
Ante Jazic (Left-Center Defender/Left-Back Defender) ; $ 110,000
Edson Buddle (Forward/1st & 2nd-Striker/Center- & Right-Field) ; $ 144,000
That will make seven (7) players that should be waived. By waiving these players , the LA Galaxy will save (will reduce) $ 604,000 from their salary cap. Now, how many remaining (active & staying) players are the LA Galaxy left with? The answer is : Twenty (20). These twenty (20) LA Galaxy players account for $ 1,811,000 in terms of Salary. That means, our LA Galaxy has $ 389,000 to use for attaining four or five more players that are hungry, eager, and would love to play for the LA Galaxy. These players must be willing to work hard, work together as a team, following strict diet, exercise, drills, and practice regimens, and be willing to play multiple field positions.
As the title of this post states... Mar. 3d is the MLS deadline for ALL MLS teams to have their total roster count under 28 individual players and also be salary compliant (Total <= $ 2,222,000) . Our LA Galaxy needs to bring players that can play these roles/positions:
Central Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder/Passing Midfielder
Left-Midfielder/Left-Winger/Passing Midfielder
Left-Forward/Left-Striker/1st Striker
Center-Fullback & Defender (Good speed, Good Organizer & Communicator)
Center-Forward/1st & 2nd Striker
I am really looking forward to our LA Galaxy play this 2008 season. I want all of the players to stay physically fit, sharp, healthy, and practiced. This year our LA Galaxy has to be top in Conference Table & Standing. Go GALAXY !
Okay, in my opinion, the following list of players should get WAIVED (let go)... Our LA Galaxy team needs to be salary compliant. Here are the players that have NOT impressed me... and, keep struggling to maintain good performance and distribution in games :
Kelly Gray (Midfielder/Defender/Center-Field) ; $ 88,000
Peter Vagenas (Midfielder/Defender/Center-Field) ; $ 132,000
Alan Gordon (Forward/2nd-Striker/Center-Field) ; $ 33,000
Kyle Martino (Midfielder/Left or Right Winger) ; $ 55,000
Kevin Harmse (Defender/Midfielder/Center-Field) ; $ 42,000
Ante Jazic (Left-Center Defender/Left-Back Defender) ; $ 110,000
Edson Buddle (Forward/1st & 2nd-Striker/Center- & Right-Field) ; $ 144,000
That will make seven (7) players that should be waived. By waiving these players , the LA Galaxy will save (will reduce) $ 604,000 from their salary cap. Now, how many remaining (active & staying) players are the LA Galaxy left with? The answer is : Twenty (20). These twenty (20) LA Galaxy players account for $ 1,811,000 in terms of Salary. That means, our LA Galaxy has $ 389,000 to use for attaining four or five more players that are hungry, eager, and would love to play for the LA Galaxy. These players must be willing to work hard, work together as a team, following strict diet, exercise, drills, and practice regimens, and be willing to play multiple field positions.
As the title of this post states... Mar. 3d is the MLS deadline for ALL MLS teams to have their total roster count under 28 individual players and also be salary compliant (Total <= $ 2,222,000) . Our LA Galaxy needs to bring players that can play these roles/positions:
Central Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder/Passing Midfielder
Left-Midfielder/Left-Winger/Passing Midfielder
Left-Forward/Left-Striker/1st Striker
Center-Fullback & Defender (Good speed, Good Organizer & Communicator)
Center-Forward/1st & 2nd Striker
I am really looking forward to our LA Galaxy play this 2008 season. I want all of the players to stay physically fit, sharp, healthy, and practiced. This year our LA Galaxy has to be top in Conference Table & Standing. Go GALAXY !
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