Chris Klein is not exactly the most well known player on the Galaxy. But, when you have the most well known player in the galaxy on the Galaxy, it’s tough to compete for attention.
Klein does have one thing Becks should value though – a complete and utter lack of fragility. This weekend, Klein will start his 94th consecutive MLS game, a span lasting approximately three years. Despite suffering severe injuries early in his career, Klein has enjoyed an oasis of health throughout the streak.
So, if you’re Alexi Lalas and you are desperately trying to save your job, what do you do now? Your team just lost to the lowly Reds, and they didn’t just lose, they gave up three goals to MLS’s most anemic offense. (sans SJE, who are so bad, if you’ve noticed, they are the only team without its own category @ STO!)
The Galaxy defense is bad. Sure, they shut out the Quakes, but I have a feeling that is going to be happening quite a few times this season.
Cronin is not a strong keeper. Vanney looks past his prime to be your shut down guy.
I think once Julian Valentin is fully healed, Gullit should just throw his ass in there. He is one tough S.O.B. and while some criticize his speed, you can’t underestimate his talent. You also can’t underestimate his leadership. Despite his tender years, Valentin has two commodities that should be valued by any MLS GM: experience and determination.
The Three Second Summary:
(1) Donovan to Beckham; (2) Beckham to Donovan; (3) Hey, there’s Kobe Bryant!
Put it on the board. Yes!
The Galaxy are .500 my friends, which is a good thing for Alexi Lalas, David Beckham and pretty much all of the MLS. Well, other than the Quakes. The Gals reached 1-1 on the season Thursday night by beating the newest addition to MLS 2-0 in front of a sold out crowd at the HDC.
The Colorado Rapids had just about the worst offense in the league last season. They finished dead last in the West in goals scored. They also averaged less than one goal a game, a feat matched only by newbie Toronto FC.
It wasn’t just last year either.
The Rapids have played great D for years, but they’ve been plagued by a perpetual inability to score. No goals meant no success. All they needed was a playmaker.
2007 Record: 9-14-7 (5th in West)
Coach: Ruud Gullit (1st Year)
Key Players: Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Carlos Ruiz, Abel Xavier, Chris Klein
Key Pickups: Carlos Ruiz (from Dallas); Sean Franklin (Drafted 4th Overall)
Key Losses: Cobi Jones (Ret.), Chris Albright (to N.E. Revs), Joe Cannon (to San Jose)
2008 Outlook: Average
Lord. I have been dreading drafting this preview, and not because I don’t like David Beckham. I am just so sick of hearing about him.
The Galaxy are the most talked about team in all of MLS, and not because of their stellar play. In fact, last season was the worst in franchise history.
The inaugural Pan-Pacific Championship is currently being held in Hawaii, and the MLS have sent its best team and most famous player to the islands to mark the occasion. Of course, the most famous player did not fare as well as the nation’s best club.
On Wednesday, the Dynamo thoroughly dominated Australia’s Sydney FC, while Japan’s Gamba Osaka dispatched the Galaxy in a yawner.
The Galaxy game would have been nearly unrecognizable as professional soccer if not for Becks. Granted, Donovan was unavailable, but Gullit’s bunch looked absolutely anemic offensively. Defensively, the young back line actually held pretty firm, but overall the Galaxy looked overmatched. It took one score from the Brazillian Bare in the third minute to put the game away.
I am not an executive with a soccer club. Heck, I have no management experience at all. Yet, sometimes I have to think I could do a better job than some of the people managing teams in the MLS. Exhibit A? Alexi Lalas.
Seriously, Galaxy fans have to be wondering what Lalas is thinking these days. On Friday, Lalas traded midfielder Quavas Kirk to DC United in exchange for defender Greg Vanney.
LA Galaxy recently announced that they will play FC Seoul on March 1 before heading to Shanghai four days later as part of the club’s Asian tour. The Galaxy re looking to capitalize on David Beckham’s huge popularity in the Far East and are likely to add another Chinese date as well as games in Japan.
“FC Seoul will entertain LA Galaxy on March 1 at Seoul World Cup Stadium,” the Korean club announced on its homepage on Thursday.
The K-League team are expecting a full house to see the former England captain . LA Galaxy will then travel to Shanghai for a March 5 exhibition match against Chinese Division One club East Asia.
The British tabloids are full of rumors of David Beckham going to Newcastle United on loan. Sorry Geordies but it will not happen. Beckham is the face of MLS. They are not going to let him go and play somewhere else and potential get hurt.
Beckham’s injury from Real Madrid last season carried over to his brief MLS season and had a major impact on the Galaxy’s season. They are not going to run the risk of Beckham getting a season ended injury while playing in the Premiership every week. Can you imagine what that will do for ticket sales to MLS games if Becks is out for the season?