“Send in the reinforcements!!”

That’s right Galaxy fans there is nothing to fear in Lala-Land.  That thundering sound you hear isn’t danger on the horizon, it’s the sound of a super hero coming to save the Galaxy.  Armed with a disposition that Russell Crowe would be envious of and a body more fragile then Glass Joe from Mike Tyson’s Punchout, Joey Franchino has rejoined the Galaxy.  Hmmm Glass Joe sounds like a nice banner for the Riot Squad to hang from 138.  Don’t get me wrong I was a fan of Franchino… and Vanney… and Ruiz… in 2000 when they all were on the right side of thirty, but this “we’re getting the band back together” mentality is starting to get scary.

Why would the Galaxy need another left back when you have Randolph, Jazic and Gavin already on the books?  Maybe he was brought in for the left midfield position.  Franchino has played there in the past, but in him you are getting a defensive minded player.  At least Ely Allen has the ability to go forward.  My guess is that Franchino is filler for a potential move involving one of the aforementioned defenders.

Finally, before my pre-game breakdown, one has to address Franchino’s obvious problems with team chemistry.  He has been in numerous physical altercations with his own teammates and labeled the Revolution’s red headed step child.  In a team that already has a potential locker room cancer in Carlos Ruiz, adding another hot head does not seem wise.

On to the match versus Houston.

If this game sees less than four goals I’ll be surprised.  Here you have two quality offenses vs two poor defenses.  Lets look at the defenses first.  The Galaxy’s is simple.  Keep the slow old men out of the center of defense.  Vanney was at fault in some capacity for all three goals last week.  The unfortunate scenario for LA?  They don’t have much alternative.  Sure you can sit Vanney, but his replacement is Abel Xavier.  I honestly prefer Xavier though, at least when he goes to ground he’s usually getting the ball with him.  Vanney hit the turf twice last week, with each resulting in missing the ball and Cronin picking the ball out of the net.  Sure Xavier is old and slow, but at least he’s wily and passionate.  I don’t see those factors in Vanney’s game any more.

Houston’s defense is in shambles as well.  Unfortunate injury’s to Craig Waibel and Pat Onstad, combined with Eddie Robinson’s suspension and Ryan Cochranes departure, leave Houston with only one of their cup winning defenders in the back for Saturday, Wade Barret.  The captain will have his hands full as I’m sure Landon Donovan will be itching to erase the memories of last week’s missed opportunities.

For Houston the best defense needs to be a good offense.  Unfortunately, the Dynamo have been held scoreless in three of its first four MLS games of the season.  Attractive on paper with names like De Rosario, Ching, Mullan, Davis and Clarke, this team needs to find that returning champion swagger before it digs a hole too deep to get out of. 

My Homer Prediction:  3-2 Galaxy

My Homer Lineup:

GK:  Cronin

Def: Klein, Franklin, X, Randolph

Mid:  Becks, MickeyD, Pires, Allen

Fwd: Donovan, Buddle

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