Funny how perspective can really change in a moments notice. After practice Thursday, I am standing there talking with defender Greg Vanney, and I ask the same question that is probably on a lot of your minds, " Has there been some talk and some focus on getting revenge on a team (Colorado) which seems to have your number?" Afterall, the Galaxy is winless in two matches against the Rapids and even further has not found the back of the Colorado net in 2008.
I also figure if anybody on the LA roster is going to want to do well against Colorado, and maybe has a chip on his shoulder, it would be Vanney. He played part of 2007 there, before being traded to D.C. United nine games into the season.
I could not have been more wrong, which is not the first time that I've been wrong!
Greg explained that yes, the Galaxy want to play well versus Colorado, specifically because the Rapids have gotten them twice already this year. Sure he wants to show well against a player or two he was once a teammate of. But right now the focus is on the players in his own locker room and how the Galaxy as a team needs to work together to earn the three points.
Right then it occurred to me, Vanney is 100% correct to channel that focus and energy in facets of the game Los Angeles has control of: tactics, attitude, creative ideas in attack, communication, etc. I imagine it is difficult enough to get 11 players thinking the same about how to play 90 minutes of soccer, let alone then try and focus on how to exact revenge on the Rapids. It is a good indication of growth that this team is less concerned with the obstacles in the road, and focusing on what movements it takes to hurdle the danger. Still not an easy task, but welcome to Coach Gullit's world!
Fernando Clavijo has the Rapids looking very dangerous. On the surface one would immediately point to the addition of former league MVP, Christian Gomez as the reason. Certainly, the Argentine has been the catalyst, but the rise of Nick LaBrocca, Colin Clarke and Jacob Peterson has accounted for a large portion of Colorado's success. Plus the play of all four of these midfielders allows Clavijo several quality options when he turns to the bench: Jose Burciaga, a veteran left sided player, former Galaxy striker, Herculez Gomez can always bring an energetic spark, Omar Cummings, watch the tape of the 4-0 loss in Denver to open the season and you can't miss him, his pace makes him one of the fastest frontrunners in the league and lastly you can't forget Terry Cooke, the poor man's Beckham, who can hit a quality ball and must be watched on set pieces. Make no mistake, this is a good side, and they are playing well right now.
By now you are probably asking yourself, how then does the Galaxy get past the current leaders in the Western Conference?
Answer - High pressure defending in the middle of the pitch, creating secondary and sometimes tertiary runs going forward, and taking advantage of set piece chances in the offensive third.
Let me explain...
High pressure defending in the middle of the field will create turnovers and facilitate Los Angeles getting into the attack, possibly with an advantage in numbers from time to time. Extra options on the attacking runs going forward will force Colorado to make decisions with regard to whom they should be marking in a particular space. A good example of this is when Gordon/Buddle make a diagonal run to the corner flag, looking for a ball to run onto from say, David Beckham. While that might seem like the obvious choice to play, it is the space vacated by Gordon/Buddle where a second player can check and ask for the ball, and might be in an even more dangerous position. Set pieces - this one is self explanatory, but for those that are not following, make it difficult on the Rapids' defenders when freekick opportunities are presented. Darting runs to a spot, aggressive physical efforts to get on the end of the service, and keeping the intensity level up.
Remember soccer fans, things can change in a moments notice in this magical game and some of the details I have offered here might prove to be the furthest thing from what LA needs to do in this game. It is just my perspective, and as you have already seen, that can be altered too.
