It’s a chance for redemption. The 4-0 thrashing by Colorado on opening day must still be lingering on the collective minds of the LA Galaxy. They were embarrassed that day and subsequently torched in the the media world wide. There is no altitude to use as a crutch Saturday night, so the Galaxy need to show the West why they deserve to be the #1 team.

Back from international duty will be David Beckham, Carlos Ruiz and Ante Jazic. Of those three, only Beckham’s absence played any role in LA’s loss in Toronto. With Landon Donovan away with the USA in New York, this needs to be the game where Ruiz shows the league he is back. He went the full 90 minutes for Guatemala midweek, so we know he is back to near full fitness. What remains to be seen, however, is if he still has his scorers touch. To make the storyline even better, Ruiz could get his first start since returning from injury against the very team that blew out his knee with a terrible tackle. I suspect that El Pescadito will have no problem finding motivation for this game.

Colorado are not without their own player absences. With Mike Petke out through injury, and both Bouna Coundoul and Pablo Mastroeni away with their respective national teams, the leagues most potent offense is going up against a defense with large holes in it. Mastroeni’s absence denies Christian Gomez every attacking midfielder’s greatest asset, an enforcer doing the dirty work in midfield. Gomez will have a difficult time getting free to press forward if his defensive duties are increased.

My most exciting matchup to watch Saturday night? Herculez Gomez vs everyone. The Galaxy faithful have not forgotten what Herc meant to us in 2005. He took a lot of pride in that season, and he will be keen to show the Galaxy what they lost by trading him. If you go by stats, the Galaxy haven’t missed much, but every team would love to have a passionate player such as Herculez in their clubhouse. My bet is that Fernando Clavijo will find some way to get Gomez on the field Saturday night, whether as a sub or starter.

From a fan’s perspective, another interesting sub-plot Saturday night will be the “official” return of the Bacon Wrapped Hotdog. A Galaxy street vendor staple since the days of the Rose Bowl, and banned in LA County. The Galaxy Front Office has arranged for the sale of these illustrious items at two grill locations inside the HDC. My hope is that the concession stands can make them with the same taste as those wonderful people in the parking lots on shopping carts. Full report to follow on this breaking news…

Also, on the rumor front… Clint Mathis was seen on the sidelines of the Galaxy practices this week. Rumor has it that Ergotelis, his Greek club, has not renewed his contract. I believe the Galaxy still own his MLS rights. Could Cletus be looking for both a teammate and drinking partner in Joey Fanchino? We’ll see. I, for one, hope he comes back.

My Homer Prediction: 2-1 Galaxy

My Homer Lineup:

Cronin

Klein - X - Franklin - Vanney

Beckham - Pires - MickeyD - Randolph

Ruiz - Buddle

The San Jose Earthquakes are on the brink of officially signing ex- Red Bull Jean-Philippe Peguero, according to several MLS sources. The 26 year old Haitian Striker has played for both Colorado and New York in MLS, and most recently playing with Brondby IF of Denmark. Peguero has 10 caps for Haiti and should go a long way towards bolstering the SJ attack. Expect an official announcement later today or tommorow.

You know that scene in Fever Pitch, where Jimmy Fallon’s character goes on about how he can always count on the Red Sox to let him down every year?  That’s how I feel right now.  

I had a great day today.  I watched four soccer games while getting in a few hours of Warcraft (or as my fiancé calls it: Nerdcraft).  It was all a Saturday should be.   Then my favorite team decided to remind me that pre-season optimism is reserved solely for the other teams in MLS. 

4-0?

Is that really necessary?  I mean I would’ve gotten the point just fine with a 2-0 loss, at least then I would still have my self-respect.  But no, we had to do it up Galaxy Style.  Just like In-N-Out has Animal Style, we have Galaxy Style.  Where your team comes with apathy, a side of lethargy, and a heaping pile of suckiness.  Where was the passion?  Where was the heart?  For that matter, where was the midfield?  

Do you hear that sound?  It’s the sound of a million little keyboards, in twenty different languages all typing how the Galaxy is a pub team.  Are they right?  Let’s analyze what went wrong.

 The first half was not an attractive game, but it was definitely winnable. Short of a poor clearance and lucky rebound off a post, the Galaxy were in it.  One has to put some blame on Steve Cronin for not locking down his near post.  That is keeper positioning 101, never get beat near post.  Give it up to Terry Cooke though, that was a hell of a strike.  The Galaxy had opportunities as well, but it looked every bit that this was the first time Ruiz, Donovan and Beckham were on the pitch together.  No one was on the same page yet.

 The second half?  Well that was just comical.  As much as I, as a fan, want to blame all the rookies on the field, for every poor touch and every bad pass, you can’t.  There was no leader out there today, no one picking these kids up and calming them down.  You could see the fear in them.  They were not ready for this kind of pressure.  For that I fault Donovan and Beckham.  One of them needed to step up and put their mark on the game.  All those guys look to them as an example.  Ruiz, despite his lack of production, was at least Charlie Hustle out there, running down 50 yard long balls as a lone striker. 

The penalty call on Abel Xavier was absolutely horrible.  Yet I know, as every other person that has played central defense knows, that if you go to ground in the box you are putting the game in the ref’s hands.  So as hard done as he may have felt, he knows he took a risk.  Once this penalty happened, the game shifted. 

Pressing hard for goals, LA left gaping holes in midfield and defense.  This allowed Colorado to play into their strength and LA’s weakness, speed.  The last two goals were a product of just that.  You saw slow defenders playing on their heels and getting turned.  What’s the solution to this problem?  In my opinion, you have to find a place for the recovery speed of Michael Randolph in that back line.  He is the only hope for Xavier and Vanney’s partnership. 

So my team is losing 4-0 and I actually accidently hit myself in the groin while throwing down my Galaxy scarf.  What could make my night worse?  How about seeing about 20% of our salary cap being stretchered off the field in the dying minutes.  Awesome.  It’s a great time to be a soccer fan in LA.  I can’t wait to see all this in person, Thursday night, from my most expensive season ticket seat in the league.