Galaxy fans you need not worry. Yes, there is reason for some concern, but unlike the events that happened last year, the players and coaching staff have the opportunity to "mold" the 2008 MLS season. It is early in the year, and this team is still learning about their identity. As Coach Gullit has said "there will be some mistakes", and he will allow them to learn from those. If we are having this discussion come the end of August, well than that is another story.
There is little doubt that the Dynamo' roster has some of the more talented players in Major League Soccer, but have yet to find the chemistry that led them to raise the MLS Cup trophy each of the past two years. Ricardo Clark, arguably the best defensive center midfielder in the league, has just returned from the long suspension dating back to last season, and will likely make his second straight start along side the very attack-minded Dwayne De Rosario. Clark has been able to play in other competitions outside of MLS play, but made his first league start this past Saturday. Defensively, the Dynamo have a new face in the back line after the off-season trade that brought Bobby Boswell from DC United to partner with Eddie Robinson, who is now suspended for this one, meaning that Boswell will likely be playing beside Patrick Ianni. But the big question in the defense right now is whether goalkeeper Tony Caig can fill in for the veteran Pat Onstad. Onstad suffered a shoulder injury early in the 3-3 draw with FC Dallas and does not appear to be coming back soon. Onstad has been one of the consistent figures in the Dynamo defense the past couple of years, having played all but three games for the Dynamo during their back-to-back championship seasons. Caig seemed to struggle at first, but he kept the powerful Wizards attack scoreless last weekend and looks like he might be turning a corner.
Los Angeles has to be thinking of" the one that got away" this past Sunday at the HDC. Squandering several quality chances in the opening quarter of an hour, indeed did come back to "bite" the Galaxy in the end. The Galaxy showed moments of good collective soccer in the first half, but twice found themselves chasing an equalizer... both came through Landon Donovan (one in each half), but there was not a third in the cards. What did look good was the relationship between both sets of outside backs and outside midfielders. Specifically, David Beckham and Chris Klein on the right side, with David tucking in centrally to create room for Klein to make the overlapping runs down the right side. The insertion of Edson Buddle in the second half created some chances, and it might be nice to see what he can produce from the first whistle.
Remember Galaxy' fans, "one or two losses in the beginning, a season does not make." After all, it was not until mid June that the Galaxy earned their second win of the campaign in 2007. With that said, here are a couple of match-ups to keep an eye on for Saturday's Western Conference Showdown:
Dwayne de Rosario vs Brandon McDonald - De Rosario is the player that gets the Dynamo going forward. His ability to pass and shoot with either foot makes him very dangerous, and is something McDonald will have to keep close tabs on. The Galaxy rookie will have the advantage in physicality, something that can take De Rosario out of his rhythm.
Alan Gordon vs Bobby Boswell - Normally this would be a match up against Eddie Robinson, but with the recent suspension, the newest member of the Dynamo defense will have his hands full. Boswell can be vulnerable at times due to his positioning. When you throw the physical play of Gordon in the mix, it becomes a task to keep one eye on the ball, and the other on Gordo! Landon Donovan might benefit from this exchange of big bodies, by finding a loose ball or two in the box.
Finally, one of the things that made it so hard in the past for teams to come to Southern California and leave with any points in the standings was the Galaxy's form in front of their fan base. With the results, or lack there of over the past two years, some may be questioning if it is indeed still tough to come play LA on their home turf. So, I urge you to show them that it is still every bit as tough to come into the HDC and earn a positive result. Show up in numbers, chant at the top of your lungs, and enjoy one of the best venues in Major League Soccer!
See you at the HDC Galaxy fans,
Mark Rogondino
