Now I know how Augustus Gloop felt. That wicked Willy Wonka putting so many tempting treats all around him and expecting him to be able to focus. I mean can you really fault the kid? There was a Chocolate River for god’s sake! Like Augustus, I don’t know where to start, there is just too much to choose from this week.

I know, let’s start with the Classico. I, like the Galaxy supporters groups, was banished to the upper deck for the game. Thankfully it put me farther from that terrible excuse for a pitch the teams played on Thursday night. I know Chivas is probably more at home playing on a dirt lot, but it was an ugly view from up high. The only good thing about my location on the north side’s 18 yard line was that I had a perfect view of the linesman’s terribly missed offside call on Chivas’ second goal. I watched the TV replay and they never gave a good camera angle. Let me tell you how bad it was. Even Alex Prus thought the player was off. He kept looking to the linesman for the sure flag that was coming. It finally took the linesman motioning to Stott before he blew the whistle to signal the goal. The linesman blew that call plain and simple.

My man Cobi needs to be given a little credit, he inserts Michael Randolph and Alan “Look Ma’, No Feet” Gordon into the game late. They both did him proud by hitting the crossbar and scoring the late equalizer respectively. Part of me is glad, however, that that game will be Cobi’s last as head coach for a bit. Now he can “Stay Gold” like Ponyboy. By the way, how pimp was that suit my man was sporting? Showing chest like he was Hasselhoff!!

So on to the big news this week. The Bruce wants to get a tan. Lured by the smell of In-N-Out burgers and the chance to dabble in scientology with Mr. Cruise, Bruce Arena has flipped coasts to become both the GM and Head Coach of the Galaxy. While it is not what I was hoping for, I get it. He will give an air of stability to the team. He’s a players coach. Maybe not to the extent that Yallop was, but Arena has the ego to go with being in LA. He can take the scrutiny. As long as we don’t see any 4-5-1 formations I’ll be a happy man for a bit. Because with The Bruce comes just enough US Soccer goodwill to appease most fans for a short span of time. We are waiting to see which incarnation of Bruce Arena we will see. Will it be the coach that won 5 NCAA titles, 2 MLS Cups, and had that great WC2002 run? Or will it be ineffective one that we saw in New York last season. One thing I do like? Bringing in Dave Sarachan. I always felt that he was all heart when he was in Chicago and that he got a bit of a bum rap there.

Speaking of the Windy City, they are blowing into town Thursday night here in LA. I can smell the Blanco fans already. However, it remains to be seen if he, along with Donovan, will be able to see quality minutes after both being involved in their country’s World Cup Qualifiers Wednesday. My money is on Donovan playing pretty significant minutes Thursday night. I’m happy to report that I will be back in my normal plastic season ticket bucket seat, complete with cup holder and no little red horns. I just hope Brian McBride will look as ineffective in a red Chicago uniform as he did in a white USA one in the Olympics. Sorry McHead, I love ya, but you’re wearing the wrong colors Thursday.

One-Liners:

-Give a raise to Maurice Edu’s agent for getting the kid to a quality team in Rangers FC

-Fire Michael Bradley’s. If he can’t sell a young kid with 15 league goals in the Eredivisie, than he ain’t worth the Bluetooth in his ear.

-Unlike some, I’m liking the potential Eddie Lewis acquisition. Quality service from the left side and someone to teach Mike Randolph and Ely Allen.

-Is it bad that I like that Jesse Marsch felt pain? Not career ending pain, or deathly pain, just enough to make me twirl my handlebar mustache.

-Loving Julian Valentin’s blog. Especially like how you can feel his hunger to get on the pitch. Give the kid a chance. I think Bruce might be the guy to do it. He is much more familiar with his time with the US Youth Teams than Ruud ever was. He’s gotta be better than Vanney right?

-For all the crap that Pete Vagenas catches about back passing and his hair line, you gotta give it up for the only guy in the locker room that you KNOW would bleed for this team. Let’s hope the kids take notice.

-THIS JUST IN: Bob Bradley enters the Betty Ford Clinic for treatment of his certain crack addiction, evidenced by his not calling Kenny Cooper into camp!

My Homer Line-Up:

Cronin

Klein - Franklin - Dominguez - Jazic

Beckham - Vagenas - Pires - Lewis (if Available)

Buddle - Gordon

Yes, to those of you that can deduce it from the title, I enjoy the musical My Fair Lady. What of it? A guy can’t leer at Audrey Hepburn for two straight hours anymore? But that’s beside the point. I’ve been away for two weeks due to my nuptuals and subsequent honeymoon. In that time the Galaxy decided to do me dirty on a few different levels.

First of all I take it of some personal offense that they decided to schedule the rematch of last years 5-4 thriller in the Meadowlands versus New York on my wedding day. My girl understands… but she doesn’t understand enough to push our time back on account of the game. Luckily I was able to watch it the following day, and let me say, the Galaxy don’t really deserve that point. Yes, LA created chances, but so did the Red Bulls. Plus Landon’s goal was a bit of a fluke. One thing I did like was the exciting finish in which we got to see the version of Landon Donovan that is willing to fight for his team’s survival. At least I was able to leave for Mexico on the note that maybe my guys could ride the momentum of those last few minutes in New York and carry it through the All-Star break.

Then Alexi decided to personally attack my post-wedding bliss. As I am packing to leave for Mex I remember I need to check and see that I Tivo my games for the week I’m gone. I knew the All Star Game was Thursday, so I set it up. Then I think, “Is there a Galaxy Game this weekend?” Luckily for me my Season Ticket Holder newsletter endorsed by Big Red himself had arrived that day, complete with the listing of the Galaxy’s remaining games. So I flip it open with pride (the kind of pride $1,800 in tickets buys you in LA), and quickly brush past the oh-so humble full front page over sized picture of Mr. Lalas himself and find the calendar. According to this sacred tomb of Galaxy lore, bearing the six inch stamp of Lalas approval, the next game wasn’t till the San Jose away game Aug. 3rd. Sweet!

Imagine my surprise a week later when I sit down to the computer to not only see the pathetic scoreline of FCD 4- LAG 0, but I don’t even understand it. Did the reserves play or something? Big Red wouldn’t lie to me, would he? He looked so warm and welcoming in his dictatorial pose on the cover of my source material. I must have mis-read it. So I looked again, because it is still hermetically sealed and framed in little twinkle lights on my desk right next to a lock of fire-red chin hair I had braided into a key chain. There it was, clear as day, no game scheduled for Sunday versus Dallas.

So Galaxy fans we really can’t be too mad at our boys for Sundays performance… I mean how could they adequately prepare when obviously the front office didn’t know there was a game.

All poorly conceived satire aside. This month has been abysmal for Galaxy fans. Yes, I know they have only lost 2 of the last four games, but they have won none. Combine that with our dangerous early flirtation with offensive supremacy and our subsequent arid run of goals and it is a tough mix for us fans. In the immortal words of The Dude, “This aggression will not stand, man.”

I have to agree with those saying to withhold much of the criticism of Eduardo Dominguez after only one game. Thank God it looks as if Sean Franklin is on the mend and can be back soon. It is a sad testament to LA’s current state when a rookie can put an entire fan base at ease. I really want to see those two get some quality minutes together, before handing any report cards out on Dominguez.

Luckily the doctor has prescribed the perfect remedy for what ails the Galaxy… A trip to San Jose. Surely LA can get a win against the leagues worst team, right? Well they are 2-0 versus the Smurfs so far on the season so conventional wisdom would say yes. However, these are not the same Little Boy Blues that were run off the field last time LA invaded the north. The addition of Arturo Alvarez, Darren Huckerby and Fransisco Lima make this shakier fixture then earlier this season.

Let’s hope someone told the team there is a game this week, and that they NEED to win.

As first reported on the LA Galaxy Blog, Ante Jazic has obtained a United States green card. By now holding dual citizenship Los Angeles has freed up a Senior International slot on it’s roster. Granted, they have no salary cap space, but the SI slot is not the true worth of this acquisition. Jazic’s league wide trade value is now at an all-time high. Just as he no longer counts as an SI for the Galaxy, he also does not count on any other teams roster. This greatly increases his trade possibilities.

But should he be traded?

LA is looking deep at left back with Mike Randolph and Sean Franklin both excelling at the position. Let’s not also forget that both Greg Vanney and Michael Gavin can play on the left side as well. OK, maybe we can forget that… But it still begs the question, how many left sided defenders does one team need? The answer? Less than this…

Look for the Galaxy to start making phone calls around the league shopping for defensive improvements. Specifically, center back. Perhaps the combination of one of the afore-mentioned defenders and Edson Buddle to a team like Houston who is struggling for goals in exchange for Bobby Boswell. Houston would gain an additional offensive option while still retaining a defender.

No matter who comes calling, the Galaxy just gained a valuable piece of trade bait. And I expect them to use it.

I have to give it up to Alex, the Chivas USA columnist here at American Soccer Reader. He is professional and his writing style could fit seamlessly into any publication. I, however, have no such lofty aspirations. I am a Blogger, plain and simple. I post my opinions and am in no way unbiased. That’s why I can say, I hate Chivas USA. Everything from their fans, to their players, to the fact I have to see their banners in the parking lot. Now that that’s cleared up, lets take a look at tonight’s 5-2 Galaxy win.

You’ll have to excuse Chivas’ early 1-0 deficit, they were still in shock of seeing what a full Home Depot Center looks like. Better take note Goats, because rent is due on the first and you can’t pay it in empty seats. There were no empty seats tonight though. What an atmosphere at the HDC. It must be said that all the supporters groups showed great spirit. Having both the Angel City Brigade and The Riot Squad at separate ends really fills the stadium with sound. In the last 15 minutes even the soccer moms started picking up the chants.

The Super Classico always brings out the best of these two teams and tonight was no different. Every ball was fought over and as usual there was controversy. Landon started it off early with an intentional hand ball to try and create a goal scoring opportunity. He was rightly carded, but what a great way to start the game off… instant animosity. Speaking of Landon, what a great month the Inland Empire native is having. Eight goals in five games is good enough to put him atop the league goal scoring list. Best of all he did it with grit tonight. It was a very Taylor Twellman like effort, scrappy. He fought for every goal and was rewarded with a hat trick.

Another person enjoying a great first month of the season is Sacha Kljestan. His curler into the far 90 was a superb strike. What I didn’t enjoy however was his taunting of the Galaxy supporters groups and fans afterwards. Haven’t players learned yet not to piss of Landon Donovan? Once you do, you bring him into the game. Donovan’s response? Two more goals. It felt so good to see Sacha make the walk of shame past the Riot Squad with the scoreboard reading 5-2 above him.

Not everything was rosy with the Galaxy however. Another defender goes to ground, another goal scored by their opposition. When will the Galaxy backline start staying on their feet? Abel Xavier had no need to go to ground to clear the ball that would eventually result in Chivas’ second goal. The Galaxy insist on playing a crazy style of soccer that is both absolutely infuriating and entertaining as hell.

I guess I owe Alan Gordon a bit of an apology after his two goal performance tonight. But in my defense, tonight, he was playing where he should be, up top as a target man. And credit to him for not giving up on the third goal. His desire to will that ball into the net completely eclipsed Guzan’s routine approach to a very dangerous ball.

In all, the Galaxy sent this fan home happy tonight. My belly is warm with a Bacon Wrapped Hot Dog, my heart is full of pride for my team and my mind is at ease that perhaps my team has turned a corner from the dark memories of last season.

Chivas USA host FC Dallas this Sunday in a rematch.

This may be the shortest roster ever to step on the field. Players not available include Lawson Vaughn, Alex Zotinca, Raphael Wicky, Sacha Kljestan, Pancho Mendoza and Alecko Eskandarian. Maykel Galindo and Ante Razov are still not 100%. Both Jorge Flores and Gerson Mayen are playing in Portugal with the US U-20s.

Sideline Views has an excellent interview with Preki about the situation.

I’ll throw out a possible line up, but Preki has stated that the next few training days will determine who plays on Sunday.

———Razov-Galindo————

-Braun-Nagamura-Marsch-Savage-

-Bornstein-Suarez-Thomas-Pozniak-

———–Guzan—————

Bench. Atiba Harris, Anthony Hamilton, Dan Kennedy, Daniel Paladini, Eric Ebert, and Jim Curtin

The only outfielder not on my roster is Kraig Chiles. For having eight guys out, the side does not look half bad.

The team will have a decent chance of taking three points. The play on the wings will be different, and could affect the flow of the game. Jesse Marsch and Paulo Nagamura will have to step up, and I think they have it in them. Both midfielders have looked exceptionally strong this year. The leadership of Marsch brought the team back into the game against the Crew and Paulo always impresses me. Paulo has a touch with the ball… not too far from Wicky’s.

Other than that expect the play to be raw. The midfield will not be able to dominate in usual fashion. Marsch and Nagamura will have their hands full controlling the game without the play of Kljestan and the pace of Mendoza. Savage and Flores if played will do OK… Flores plays a style very similar to Mendoza and has a very strong work ethic. Savage has surprised the team with his intelligence in the game.

Both teams are promoting the veteran Mexican defenders and their associated rivalry. I think the real fight will be between Kenny Cooper and the back line. The defense will have their hands full dealing with the strong striker. However, with Suarez and Pozniac in the line combining with Bornstein and Thomas, the lone striker should be contained.

Galindo, Razov and Atiba will do fine up front if they get the ball from the midfield. I expect all three to see time. No word on Alecko’s status/surgery.

Dallas have a few people in the injured list, including Alvarez and Toja. However, the team looks pretty strong. Should be a good match.

Always rooting for positive results and the team has the potential to produce, but it will be hard fought. I’ll go along with a 2-1 win for the Red and White.

Leave your prediction!!!

Chivas USA travel to Columbus to take on the Crew Saturday at 4:30.

Team update here.

Chivas USA have been working to get back into form after a rocky preseason plagued with injury. A majority of the starting line up was injured or out due to surgery.

Lets start with the possible line up. Chivas USA have yet to announce the status of Ante Razov, Lawson Vaughn or Alecko Eskandarian (listed as questionable). I’ll update you if I hear anything. All in all, we may see a line up like this…

——Galindo——-Haris——–

Mendoza-Marsch-Nagamura-Kljestan

Bornstein-Suarez-Thomas-Pozniak

———–Guzan——————

Bench: Razov, Wicky, Eskandarian, Ebert, Curtin, and Kennedy

A pregame from a crew supporter here

The opposition.

The Columbus Crew have had their share of tough times. However, they are still a solid team. Key players to look out for.

Schelotto. The Argentine is crafty, and has been known to create plays out of thin air. If Chivas USA can contain Schelotto, Chivas USA can contain Columbus Crew.

Moreno. Alejandro Moreno is good. He positions himself well and can shoot from outside the box. Look for him to clash with Thomas a few times.

Gaven. Eddie Gaven and Sacha Kljestan will match brains and brawn when they meet on Saturday.

Chivas USA.

Raphael Wicky. The talented Swiss International is getting closer to match fitness. As soon as the midfielder learns how to play with his teammates, the better. With his service, any striker will look good.

Shavar Thomas. Thomas spent last game cleaning up after Curtin. he will likely be playing with Suarez this time. If he connects well with the emperor, the defense should be impenetrable.

Maykel Galindo. GOLindo is getting stronger each game, and is expected to start. His talent makes hose around him look better.

I think the Red and White have a good chance of walking away with three points. As for the score, I’ll put the Chivas USA up 2-1.

Whats your prediction? Comment below!

Hello My Name Is: “Insert Random Unknown Player Here”

This is how I felt watching those first pre-season games in Hawaii and Asia. Where were the G’s that I had cheered/jeered all last season? I mean I recognized a few, seeing Xavier’s hair alone invokes a warm comforting feeling that balls will be won in the air this season. But who were these other dudes wearing those sweet Galaxy replicas? Oh wait, those are real… Hmmmm.

So here is a guide to some of the new faces we will be seeing this year. Along with what I think about what I’ve seen so far.

Goalkeeper:
Charles Alamo (UCR): Outside of a pretty shotty youtube video I saw online, I haven’t seen this guy play yet. Reports are good, but he blew out his knee in pre-season. Gotta give it up for the Galaxy though, they still offered him a contract after his injury.
Josh Wicks (Portland Timbers): In limited minutes in the pre-season, Wicks has made quite a name for himself amongst Galaxy supporters. He has looked very cool between the pipes. Even more important is that the defense has looked well composed when he has backed them up. This may be due to his large voice, which often can be heard over the TV broadcast. No official contract with the Galaxy, but that should be just a formality, unless he prefers a starting spot with the Timbers.

Defense:
Julian Valentin (Wake Forest): A product of many of the US youth teams and National Champions Wake Forrest. He has the size and the mind for the professional game, and has looked very well combining in the center of the Galaxy backline, in limited minutes. Many scouts say he dropped in the draft due to his recovery speed. However, that hasn’t stopped us from using either Xavier or Vanney so far this pre-season and they play with lead shoes on.
Sean Franklin (CSUN): If the Galaxy wanted speed, they definitely got it here. Perhaps the heir apparent to Chris Albright’s untimely exit. Franklin seems to have all the raw assets of the outside back that is so essential in the modern game. He may not break in right away, with the Klein-Beckham tandem seeming to be working well on the right, but he is someone to watch.
Michael Gavin (Univ. of Portland): At the risk of sounding harsh, I have to say, I am not at all won over. The defensive miscues at the back, especially distribution, by the rookie have been a huge concern. He seems to know how to go forward, but the final cross or pass doesn’t seem to find its proper destination. He is definitely going to have to mature on the fly if he wants to beat out Michael Randolph for the LB spot.

Midfield:
Ely Allen (Washington): More than any other, this newcomer has impressed me with his ability to instantly adapt to the professional level. Left midfield was a glaring hole by the end of the 2007 season. Allen has shown a comfort on the ball and a technique on the wing that the Galaxy has been sorely missing. Has he missed some simple goal scoring chances? Yes. At this point to you have to be wiling to chalk that up to nerves. Eventually he will have to start finishing those, but his ability to position himself well in the offensive third has to be recognized. Unless Ruud wants to experiment with Randolph in this spot, and with the waiver of Babayaro, the left wing position seems to be Allen’s to lose.
Alvaro Pires (Spartak Nalchik): Over the last two years the Galaxy has been criticized for not having enough Central/South American players on a team that represents a huge Latino market. Alvaro could be a small answer to this. His comfort on the ball is obvious as is his ability to link the defense and offense. His one “Snipah!” dive in Hawaii aside, he has seemed very composed in the middle of the park for LA. Now the question is, who do you pair with him?

Offense:
Bryan Jordan (Portland Timber): Another player from the Portland area, Jordan has been for my money the soccer equivalent of vanilla. For every good thing I see him do, there seems to be an equal and opposite negative. He seems to struggle in finding the proper positioning in the box for crosses and through balls. His appetite is apparent as he never stops working. But tenacity can only take you so far. Sooner or later the mental and technical aspect needs to catch up to his desire. That being said, there are plenty of coaches out there that wish some of there stars even knew the meaning of the word desire. We’ll call this one an interesting work in progress.

In the beginning there was Cobi, Hurtado and… well, Shue. And I was lucky enough to be there in 1996. I still have my program from the LA Galaxy’s opening day with a dread-clad Cobi on the cover. Two years prior to that day, in the summer of my Junior year of High School, I sat in that same Rose Bowl stadium and watched the USA play Colombia. I sat behind the very goal that Balboa’s bike sailed so slightly past. I also, unfortunately, watched a man sign is own death warrant as he put a ball into his own net.

I recall this because those two games would set the foundation of my soccer fan experience. It would also set the bar for what is at stake in the soccer world, the hype, the passion, and the gravity… and it had me right from the start.

Beginnings are on my mind today as I start a new chapter in my fan experience. That chapter is the one I hope to share with all of you every week. I hope to bring you an unashamed fan’s perspective of the game. Don’t get me wrong, I was down-right ashamed of many points of last years season, but I was never ashamed of being a fan.

Since this is my first entry, I will attempt to familiarize myself to you. I am a season ticket holder, and yes I did renew my tickets despite last year’s dismal display. I have played soccer since age 5 all the way through my Senior year of high school. I still play three times a week, despite my body’s urging to take certain days off. I am born and raised in the Inland Empire, and lived four years in San Diego while in college. I hope to use this space to deliver to you recaps, insights, and news from our spot in the Galaxy.

What I expect of a reader is call me out when you don’t agree. I have every intention of allowing this to be a two way street. If you don’t agree, then have the stones to say so in the comments. While I promise to respect your opinions, I make no such promise to agree with them.

With all that said let’s have a fantastic year and hope our boys can bring home some silverware, or at least make the post-season.

Jrodius