The Nats and Colorado

The USMNT lost an opportunity to put a strangle hold on the hexagonal round of world cup qualifying. In what most pundits have referred to as a sub-par outing, the Nats were forced to claw their way to a tie with undoubtedly the worst team remaining in the CONCACAF region. With no Tim Howard in goal or Oguchi Onyewa in the central defense the team allowed two goals before finally realizing they were in a World Cup qualifier. Two goals in the final 13 minutes saved what could have been and still may be the biggest embarrassment of the Bob Bradley era as National team manager. The team looked completely unprepared as the Salvadorian wingers exploited the clearly out of form U.S. midfield. Bradley’s choice to start Brian Ching, Demarcus Beasly and Sacha Kjlestian smells of old club and country team loyalties as opposed to proper coaching decisions. It was not until the insertion of J.F. Torres and Jozy Altidore that the offense took off and scored twice as the match came to a close. It makes one wonder what would happen if Bradley would field a team based on who was playing well at the time of the match.

Maybe it is time to look at how National teams are selected in other sports. With the exception of soccer most teams are run with the same model as a professional franchise, meaning there is a coach who coaches (novel concept) and a management team that decides who will be on the team. This has worked well for other sports in international competitions such as ice hockey and the Olympics. Seven years ago Wayne Gretzky was charged with putting together a team that was coached by Pat Quin that led Canada back to the top of the ice hockey world. It has also worked for Basketball as we have recently seen similar results with team USA following the model to win the gold in Beijing. Perhaps if we made coaches coach and left player selection up to a national team GM we could eliminate or at the very least cut down on foolish loyalties that weaken the team. And perhaps that would not only bring out the best in the player knowing that they must impress more than one man to remain on the team, but also bring out the best in the head coach knowing that he must produce because he has the best his nation has to offer.

On Saturday the Galaxy host Colorado in the first of three meetings between the two sides in April, and the first of two matches in four days as they also play in Open Cup competition on Tuesday the 7th. The Rapids are led out of the back with a strong combo at central defense of Corey Gibbs and former Galaxy stud who was traded by the idiot Lalas, Ugo Ihemelu. The midfield is solid with former National team player Pablo Mastroeni and free kick specialist Terry Cooke. Omar Cummings leads the strike force with two goals, one in each match this season. The Galaxy are still without left back Todd Dunivant, and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is questionable as are Eddie Lewis and Edson Buddle. Basically the entire left side of the field for the Galaxy will once again be a huge question mark. And once again as goes Landon Donovan so will go the fate of the Galaxy, should he be able to out pace the defense and put a few quality shots on Matt Pickens the home side will celebrate it’s first victory of the new campaign. But remember he will be coming off two tough World Cup qualifiers. My take is that I just hope Gordon doesn’t suck!!!!!

Game Recap and Looking Forward

On Sunday the Galaxy once again proved the old saying, “As goes Landon Donovan, so goes the LA Galaxy.” His brace lifted the hopes of a city from the depths of darkness that most thought would be a bleak and trophy-less year for the Galaxy. While the season may indeed prove to be trophy-less, this once proud soccer mecca now has the hope it has been longing for after the dramatic comeback finish on a blustery early spring afternoon. The tie almost felt like a win, and judging by the reaction of the 18 thousand or so in attendance, I was not alone in feeling that way. Donovan was clearly heads and shoulders above all competition on the field, from out pacing the D.C. United defenders at will to toying with players on runs with the ball at his feet. He beat multiple defenders at a time on a few different occasions. I think it is safe to assume that Donovan is playing with a chip on his shoulder, like he has something to prove to the continent where soccer is king.

Possession is key in soccer and the rest of the Galaxy team played like they were afraid to give it up, passing backwards as if Pete Vagenas were their lord and master. They managed to hold the ball and mount very little offense through the buildup. The left flank consisting of AJ DeLaGarza and Mike Magee was so terrible that United didn’t even bother to send the defensive midfielder to that side for large chunks of the first half. The bulk of the first half chances came off of crosses sent in by Chris Klein or Sean Franklin, who despite still learning to play together were more than serviceable on the right side. Neither Dema Kovalenko nor Josh Tudela got enough touches on the ball to make a difference. And Omar Gonzales lived up to the hype as he very nearly put away a corner kick served in by Donovan. Tony Sennah is no Troy Roberts but at least he is not as bad as Abel Xavier.

The bottom line is that the Galaxy didn’t lose. The lineup that opened the new season is wrought with reserve players, from Steve Saunders in goal to both DeLaGarza and Magee on the left. There was no question the home side was sorely missing the veteran presence of Eddie Lewis and Todd Dunivant. The team played timid at times and it was clear that there was a void of leadership on the defensive end of the pitch. With two weeks between games the Galaxy should be fully fit in time for Colorado on April 4th. Meanwhile you can catch Landon and the U.S. Men’s National Team take on El Salvador on March 28th in the final round of World Cup qualifying. The match airs on ESPN2 at 8pm (PDT).

The David Beckham Nightmare

In the immortal words of former President Gerald Ford, "Our long National nightmare is over." Okay maybe that is a little too sarcastic, but the David Beckham situation has finally been resolved. Becks the golden ball bender will remain with AC Milan through the end of the European campaign and then return to the Galaxy when the July MLS international transfer window opens. It looks like his first game will be in New York versus the Red Bulls in Giants Stadium, always the most attended game of the year, on the 16th of July. And they tell us that MLS didn't foresee this coming up when they loaned Becks out to AC Milan five months ago. In the official press release (see below) Becks said all the right things and thanked all the right people and restated his commitment to "building soccer in the U.S.". I think what he meant to say was to "re-build bridges to soccer sponsors and fans in the U.S." after the way he went about trashing the League when he first stated his desire to stay at the San Siro.

Look, we all know that Beckham or at least his representatives, that of Simon Olivares creator of American Idol, are smart guys. He inked his MLS contract when he was no longer included in the England national team and had very few offers to stay in Europe and none that would pay as much as the LA Galaxy and MLS. It was a no brainer at the time, prolong your career in a second tier league and make up to a $250 million (including sponsorship deals) in the process. Name any aging player at the end of his prime who doesn't take that deal. Then, like any good storybook, fortunes change for our ball bending hero; the English national side starts to suck, Becks starts to produce in year two, and the Galaxy start scoring so much that Edson Buddle finishes forth in MLS goal scoring. Next our hero is gloriously recalled to the England side and looking for a loan deal on the continent. This current deal just announced is nothing more than a covering all the bases deal, if he continues to do well and it looks like he has a realistic chance to make the 2010 World Cup side then he opts out of his lucrative MLS deal at the end of the season and returns to AC Milan, or if Milan continues to struggle and at seasons end is no longer interested and English national team coach Fabio Cappello decides to go with the faster and younger Theo Walcott (Arsnal) or David Bentley (Tottingham Hotspur) then Becks continues to get rich in LA.

So how will Beckham be received when he returns? Well the main supporters group for the LA Galaxy is known as "The Riot Squad", and that can't bode well for the Englishman. At the Pan Pacific Championship tournament held recently at the Home Depot Center fans were seen holding anti-Becks shirts and signs. It seems as though the bright lights of the Beckham Circus have shone through the glitz and glamour of Hollywood and exposed David Beckham for being the classic Englishman who thinks he is too good for the U.S. game and MLS. And who knows maybe he is, but there is a right way and a wrong way to go about your business and he has shown poor judgement in getting all that he wanted. I think that U.S. soccer fans, who tend to be die-hards, will certainly remember this episode. But we also know that U.S. fans love to win and if Becks comes back and leads the long suffering Galaxy to the MLS crown we shall see how long our memories actually are.

The Official press release:

The LA Galaxy today announced that the club has reached an innovative agreement with AC Milan and David Beckham that would allow the midfielder to remain on loan with Milan through the end of the 2008-09 Serie A season. That season culminates on May 31, after which Beckham would re-join the Galaxy. Beckham will then become eligible to play in MLS games for the Galaxy when the international transfer window re-opens on July 15, 2009.
The multi-million dollar deal compensates the LA Galaxy for the extended loan of Beckham at the start of the new MLS season and has been funded jointly by Milan and the player himself.
"Much has been written and said but, all along it has been our intention to keep David Beckham as a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy," said Tim Leiweke , President & CEO, AEG, investor-operators of the MLS club. "We are pleased he is returning and at the same time, we feel it is important to allow him to finish his run in Milan , as it has been a remarkable run. David continues to re-invent himself as he had done with Milan and we are hoping he comes back to help Bruce and his team win the MLS Championship."
"We are excited that we will host AC Milan for our fans and look forward to entertaining them at The Home Depot Center on July 19th," Leiweke added. "This certainly sets the stage for a great season for our fans and we truly appreciate their patience as we have worked through all of our issues."
As part of the agreement to extend the loan, AC Milan will participate in an exhibition game against the LA Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on July 19th. This game will necessitate the re-scheduling of the Galaxy's MLS regular-season match against Red Bull New York two days earlier to July 16th at Giants Stadium.
Beckham, originally scheduled to return to the team on March 9th, will not count against the Galaxy's 20-man senior roster until he returns to the club in July, nor will he count against the club's salary budget until his return.
"I'm really grateful to the LA Galaxy and AC Milan for making this dream deal happen," said Beckham. "It allows me to play for AC Milan and the LA Galaxy in the same year, and also to continue my commitment to develop soccer in the United States , which is something I am passionate about. My family is happy and settled and will remain in LA. The perfect result for 2009 would be for me to help Milan to reach the Champions League and for the LA Galaxy to make the playoffs and win the MLS Cup Playoffs."
The Galaxy has also announced a rollback (10% on average) on ticket prices for the upcoming season. The team will be issuing refunds, in the amount of the rollback, for fans that have already purchased individual and season tickets, according to President of Business Operations Tom Payne.
Since joining Milan on loan, Beckham has played and started in nine league games, leading the Italian side to a 4-2-3 record in those contests. The 33-year-old has scored two goals and added two assists in 810 minutes played. He's also appeared in two UEFA Cup games, one as a starter. Milan, which is currently in third place in the Serie A standings, hosts Atalanta in a crucial league game on Sunday.
In the last two seasons Beckham has had a clear impact on the game in the States, specifically through MLS attendances. LA Galaxy average home attendance in 2008 rose by 24.9% since 2006. As a whole, MLS attendance went up 6.9% during the same period. His impact on TV ratings is also marked with average ratings on ESPN increasing by 23% in games when Beckham participated. Evidenced by a massive hike in global media interest in the MLS and increases in sponsorship and merchandise revenue, there is clear evidence that Beckham has made a significant impact in the sport in North America.
"With this agreement being reached, we can continue to move forward with our final preparations for the 2009 MLS season which opens with our first game on March 22 against D.C. United at The Home Depot Center," said Galaxy General Manger and Head Coach Bruce Arena . "During the off season, we began the process of improving our roster and the moves that we have made so far place us in a position to be more successful this season. David is truly an outstanding player and I am confident that his presence will strengthen our roster in the last half of the season as we push for a playoff position."
With the LA Galaxy, Beckham has appeared in 30 games with 27 starts and registered five goals and 12 assists. In 2007, he was limited by ankle and knee injuries, but came back in 2008 with a team-best 10 assists and five goals in 25 games played only missing action with the club due to national team duty. The Galaxy captain saw a lot of firsts in his first full season in MLS, including his first MLS career goal nine minutes into the home opener against San Jose on April 3 and his first multi-goal game a month later in a 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake on May 3. Additionally, Beckham was selected for the MLS All-Start game for the first time, setting up the All-Stars first goal in the 3-2 win over West Ham.

A New Hope... I Hope

As training camp starts to wind down and the rosters are trimmed to fit the minuscule cap it is that glorious time of year. A time for hope. Gone are the days of Chris Klein trying to play defense, Alvaro Pires trying to run down an opponent who had just disposessd him, and the days of Ely Allen making a good run only to miss the open goal completely. Bruce Arena has indeed begun to put his stamp on the team. Mike Randolph, Brandon McDonald, and Troy Roberts all serviceable MLS pros were let go for various reasons (I hope one of those reasons was not Tony Sennah). In comes rookie hopefuls like Omar Gonzales and AJ Delagarza the Maryland pair that lead their squad in the College Cup. And Yohance Marshall, who before a horrific MLS combine was expected to a first round draft choice, who the Galaxy signed as an undrafted free agent. And it looks like through no fault of his own Landon will be back. It should be a glorious new year for the LA Galaxy.

Oh... Umm... Wait... We still have Alan Gordon trying to play target man. And Klein may not be on the backline but Eddie Lewis, another natural midfield player is (I know he has played on the back before). A pair of cast offs will be holding down the center of the midfield in Miglioranzi and Magee, or we may be lucky to see to creative genius that is Josh Tudela. And we still have Gordon, did I say that already.

So it looks as though hope is a good word to describe this time of year, let's hope that the rookies play like the future stars we are told they will be. And let's hope Jovan Kirovski can find some good form or at least something that looks like four years ago. And let's hope that Landon is not too disgruntled and looking for a summer transfer back to Europe. Let's hope it's not "wait until next year" or "we are on the right track... it just takes time." Let's hope AEG realizes this is L.A. and we are the GALAXY.