We're underway at Pizza Hut Park and still scoreless 15 minutes in. (Remember that you can watch live here.)
Ruud has sent the guys out in a 4-5-1 as the Galaxy look to recreate the magic of last season's 6-5 thriller in the final SuperLiga group game.
Cronin is once again in goal with a back four of Gavin, Vanney, Abel and Klein in front of him from left to right. Pires is sitting right in front of the back four with Tudela, Randolph, Donovan and Beckham joining him in midfield and Gordon playing alone up front.
At the half, we are still scoreless on a chilly night in Frisco. Some may remember seeing a story about Frisco getting six inches of snow over a week ago, well, we believe it. As for on the field, the Galaxy have been playing solid possession and looking to get the ball up the wings to Donovan and Beckham with Klein and Randlolph overlaping in behind. We have created a few solid scoring chances with the best of the first half coming off a Donovan long range blast and a Xavier header from close range that were both tipped over the cross bar by Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala.
The entire bench is on the field warming up for the second half, so we expect to see a few changes and will get those to you as soon as the second half kicks off...no changes to start the second half. In the 60th minute, Jordan replaced Randolph. Donovan has moved into the middle of the field with Jordan on the left wing. In the 8oth minute, Vagenas comes on for Tudela.
In the 82nd minute, a cazy sequence that saw Jordon's header of a Donovan cross bounce off the chest of Sala rebound to Beckham, who rolled it back. Gordon's shot was saved then Klein dumped the ball back into Donovan, who stumbled on the ball. Jordan went to recover it was was taken down in the box. Penalty kick....No. Freekick for Dallas. In the 85th minute on the counter, Beckham plays a beautiful cross field pass for Donovan, who attempts to chip the keeper but Sala swats it away.
Overall, it was a good match for the boys, but we probably deserved the win. However, a scoreless draw is not a bad result considering the jetlag the players have had to recover from this week. The season is just around the corner and the team is looking to be on track.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Underway
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12 comments:
Since this is being played as a "non-pressured" game... I can see how the LA Galaxy plays when tey're not pressured. So far, LA Galaxy has maintained a majority of the posession. GOOD! The LA Galaxy also maintained good (composed) control of their passes and crosses. GOOD! Landon is allowed to play many positions up-front giving him flexibility. GOOD! LA Galaxy needs MORE PRACTICE w/ "Shot-On-Goal" accuracy! Again, LA Galaxy needs to play smart and controlled. Avoid injuries!!! Dario Sala for FCD has made some good, solid saves. Cronin has not been challenged as of yet! Come on LA Galaxy - find their holes... find their weaknesses. I know our LA Galaxy will do well! Go GALAXY!
Mike Randolph is quick - but, he's making somne "rushed" careless give-a-aways. More posession practice might be needed for Mike Randolph. FC Dallas is now applying more pressure. LA Galaxy is withstanding it. GOOD! But, LA Galaxy needs to focus on Landon Donovan and Alan Gordon - these two LA Galaxy players work well together - but, they need the right feed at the right time.
The communication between Abel, Vanney, and Klein is improving and getting better. Nice to see! But, keep in mind, Ricardinho of FC Dallas is FAST! And, he can easily out-run Abel & Greg. Cronin has more challenges from Kenny Cooper - who has both spped & physical strength! Landon, Beckham, Alan, Pires, Ely, Michael, Abel, and Cronin stay on in the 2nd Half. Bring in Sean, Julian, and Pete. Allow Chris, Mike, and Greg to rest and watch from the bench to study this FC Dallas team some more!
Any details about Álvaro Pires? Who is he? Where did he come from? etc.
So far, so good! LA Galaxy is keeping the pressure on the FC Dallas as Coach Ruud always & consistently wants! Keep calm - Keep composed! Keep playing SMART! Landon, Alan, and Bryan will field the front to pick up the chances... Keep pressuring... find the weaknesses. Good Job, so far, LA Galaxy! Go GALAXY!
Alvaro Pires is Brazilian and last played in Russia.
Again, I love the way Landon connects with Alan... YES! This what spending time together in playing games will yield... It will yield cohesiveness and trust. Keep pressuring, LA Galaxy! So far, so good! Keep up the runs. Watch out Alvarez - he is a SMART player - he plays on "dead balls"! Alvarez, Dominic Oduro, and Richetti play very well together. I wonder if that's going to be who Steve Morrow from FC Dallas will sub-in???
Excellent opportunity for the Galaxy just now! I LOVE the way that there were enough LA Galaxy players within the main box to snatch up any opportunities. But, again - Dario Sala has much too much experience to lose his composure! Keep at it, LA Galaxy! Keep pressuring & Keep stealing the ball! Ricardinho has left the field... younster Brek Shea has come in. Now, FC Dallas has a bunch of TALL players on the field! Dario Sala again with a beautiful save! I knew it! I knew it - I knew that Steve would bring in Dominic Oduro. Keep sharp, LA Galaxy! Keep sharp!
Kenny Cooper, Arturo Alvarez, Dominic Oduro, Ricardinho, Marcelo Saragosa, Andre Rocha, Dario Sala, and Drew Moor - very good players for FC Dallas. It was good opposition for the LA Galaxy... Coach Ruud got to see a good MLS team in action. A lot to take away from this match! I didn't think that David needed to be that upset over the linesman's call. But, I can feel his frutration. It's alright David; It's alright - the LA Galaxy did very well! Remember, there is no reason to warrant yellow cards (or worse even red cards) from Asst. Refs and Refs! There are always going to be questionable calls! I do admire the competitiveness in David, though! But, seriously - really think about which matches you (David) want to be temperamental with! Good job, LA Galaxy - Good Job!!!
fun match, some good chances for the Galaxy, but didn’t have any luck on their side. Sala, FCD keeper had a great game, he saved some great shots. Donovan had a impressive long range strike on goal, hope to see more of that from him. Ruiz would have added some finishing at goal and I think would have made the difference needed.
does anyone know anything about the argument between beckham and gullit at the end of the match? it was obviously match-related, but interesting to see.
Someone who went to the match with seats on the field answered in another blog; he couldn't hear what they were saying but it didn't sound like Gullit and Beckham were arguing. It looked to him, from where they were pointing and looking, as if Beckham was talking to Gullit about whatever had upset him so much during the match.
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