In A Galaxy Not So Far, Far Away

IN A GALAXY NOT SO FAR, FAR AWAY

Let me start this Blog by saying I predicted the Galaxy would reach the MLS Finals this year. Needless to say I got hundreds of comments instantly, with people criticizing my pick. The majority saying the L.A. squad was very FAR AWAY from even the Playoffs. Now I know we are just over the halfway point on the season, but let’s remember how the year started for the team from the City of Angels. The Galaxy all but laid down and got routed by Colorado 4-0. However fifteen games later, and constantly more than 20,000 fans showing up to cheer at the Home Depot center, the Galaxy have rebounded nicely and have led the Western Conference standings for much of the season.

"ABEL" TO DEFEND

The biggest key for the Galaxy the rest of the way is to somehow be able to defend. Although they have scored 34 goals, which by far leads the league, Ruud Gullit’s team can’t stop anyone.  They have given up a league worst 31 goals after 16 games. I have been preaching all along that what the team needs to do is never again play Abel Xavier again. Nothing personal, but if you watched just the opener, Xavier was directly responsible on nearly every single goal the Rapids scored.  The 35 year old defender looked about 55 during that game, and he hasn’t looked much better ever since. Maybe it’s the Galaxy’s PR department that wants the poor defense since that way their celebrity fans that show up won’t be victim’s to nil-nil results. 

THE THREE AMIGOS

If the Galaxy is going to give up a large number of goals, they must continue to outscore the league to have a shot for the MLS Cup this season. Luckily for the team they are getting stellar goal scoring seasons from Landon Donovan and surprise sensation Edson Buddle.  Everyone pretty much expected Captain America to find the back of the net plenty this season, specially getting pin-point passes from Becks. In 13 games Donovan has scored 11 goals, leading the league, and has added 7 assists. That success was expected, but no one thought that Buddle would join Landon at the top of the goal scoring list. With Carlos Ruiz disappointing, Buddle came through to add possibly another star to the Galaxy’s roster. Buddle has played in 13 games and has knocked in an impressive 11 goals. But we can’t leave out Beckham. The Spice boy has added another ingredient this season in the MLS. Along with his 7 assists, he has also scored 5 goals.

REALITY CHECK

 Before we get carried away, there are still 14 games left for the Galaxy in the regular season. So which team will the Galaxy be the rest of the year? Will they be the confused, slow, old, team that played the Rapids and got trounced 4-0 in the opener? Or the sold out stadium, celebrities in the stands, Beckham, Landon and Buddle scoring team, that is battling for first place in the west? Probably somewhere in the middle, which should be good enough for the playoffs. Then maybe just maybe they get on a playoff roll, and they will reach the Final. Originally most of my readers laughed but more than half a season later, my preseason prediction doesn’t look so silly after all.

 Pablo Alsina

Play-by-play announcer/Goltv News host.