So the shutout streak is over. The winning streak ended a week earlier. The unbeaten streak continues at six games. So why do I get the feeling the season is slipping away?
I guess it's good to have higher expectations again. Earlier in the season a tie would be a wonderful thing. But 20 games are now done and the Galaxy has 20 points to show for them out of a possibility of 60. If the playoffs were to begin today this would be the first Galaxy side in the club's history not to qualify for postseason play. Their 20 points have them six points out of the final spot in the West.
The Galaxy sit in decent position to make a run at the postseason, but it is now at the point where even ties are hurting the Galaxy. July 22nd at Columbus, leaving two points on the pitch hurt in a big way as the Galaxy and Crew played to a 1-1 tie.
"I think we've come to a point now where we're kind of disappointed if we can only get a point, says Coach Frank Yallop. We are sort of building, but we feel we can win every game. We know that we're pretty close to scoring more goals than just one a game."
And more goals are in order - fast.
It is not too farfetched to think the goals will come. This club should be as healthy as opening day once they return to work August 9 at Houston. I know Landon Donovan pulled a hamstring warming up for the Cruz Azul match, but as coach Frank Yallop put it, the kid's injury should be taken care of by the time the Galaxy return to the pitch. Oh, and don't forget about Cornell Glen. He should be ready to go soon as well.
So, let's take a look at what the Galaxy needs to do to advance to the postseason.
As of the All-Star break, the Galaxy had 20 points, tied with Real Salt Lake at the bottom of the Western Conference and the month of August could be the make or break month for the club.
The Galaxy has five games and all but one against Western Conference foes. That is points for the taking. Four of the games are on the road which won't be an easy task, but it is August, and the Galaxy is always on the road in August.
August 9, at Houston - it is going to be brutal. Lovely Houston will be nice and toasty for this one. This time around, the Galaxy will have Landon Donovan on the field. Cobi Jones should be closer to full match fitness. Pete Vagenas should be available. The Galaxy defense is much better than the first meeting in H-town. It won't be easy, but it's not impossible to take three points there.
August 12, at Colorado - Cobi Jones has terrorized the Rapids throughout his career. Does number 13 have some magic left in those legs? I have to think he does. There's just too much pride there. Again, a tough match, but somebody has to step up and take the points and ties are beginning to become a problem for the defending champs. They need max points right now. It will be a very physical affair.
August 20, vs. Dallas at the HDC - Break out your programs and get reacquainted with the club. They will be the home team for the first time in six weeks and they will need you behind them. Carlos Ruiz and friends will be in town. A sellout crowd would be nice, Galaxy faithful. 877-3-GALAXY. A win here and the Galaxy might be thinking about more than just the playoffs.
August 26, at DC United - The clubs played to a 1-1 tie in their first meeting June 11 at the HDC. Cobi Jones was the super sub and netted the tying goal. The Galaxy came close to taking all the points in that match. A year ago, their win at RFK turned their season around. It's possible this time too.
August 30, at RSL - The road warriors will be a bit on the tired side coming in to this one, but they took care of business the first time they went in to Rice-Eccles this season and if they are hitting on all cylinders, this might be a match they are looking forward to.
August is a big month for the Galaxy. Fifteen points are available to them. Take them all and they should be able to control their own destiny the rest of the way. Leaving points on the pitch is not an option right now.
Yes, one small problem, their opponents want the points as well, but as I look at it, the defending champs have been so gracious with the points available to this point, maybe it's time they become a little selfish with them.
HOW FAR WILL YOU TRAVEL TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE TEAM? How about from Columbia, S.C., to Columbus, Ohio, to see the Galaxy take on the Columbus Crew? That's what a youngster and his father did for this game. It happens much more than you would think. In Richmond, where the Galaxy dodged lightning and faced Crystal Palace earlier in the week, there were more than a handful of Galaxy jerseys in the stands. One fan even had the old school teal stripes. This team is the Yankees of MLS.
BRUCE IS BACK ... He's with the New York Red Bulls. Bruce Arena becomes the Sporting Director and Head Coach for the notoriously bad Red Bulls/Metrostars. I think this is the place for Arena. If he's given the freedom to bring in the talent necessary, he and Claudio Reyna will be together again soon. Wow, did I say that out loud? Guess I did, in cyber print that is. I'm serious, why not? The league needs that team to be competitive and if Captain Kangaroo can help out without pulling a hamstring walking on to the park, bring him in.
THE NEXT MLS CALENDAR ... Ok, we've gone through another World Cup and MLS is the only top flight which actually played league games while the rest of the world was glued to the tube watching an amazing month of matches. Come to think of it, according to the ratings, we Yanks were glued to the tube also. Anyway, first off, in four years we should pause for the Cup.
Here is how I think the MLS and soccer calendar should go in the States: MLS should open the season the first week in March, ahead of March Madness and a full month before baseball. The regular season runs through the first week in August. The MLS Cup is played Labor Day Sunday, one full week prior to the opening of the NFL season.
Wait, I'm not done. The U.S. Open Cup should be played in October, thus giving that tournament its own spotlight.
I haven't forgotten the friendlies. There is no reason why MLS clubs cannot do their tours in January and other club teams can make their way here during their break in that time as well. It can be done. It should be looked at. And, if most of Europe can play in the snow, why can't we? At the very least it will garner headlines and coverage.
WHO WATCHED THE DREW CAREY WORLD CUP SHOWS? They were on the Travel Channel. It was good stuff. I loved the shots of the Brazilian women - Ahem, I mean the loyal fans.
This was really good stuff. No X's and O's. There was nothing about Bruce Arena or any other Arena for that matter. It was just about the experience of the Cup. And it is great to see people who can make things happen, such as Drew Carey actually do it. We must embrace those efforts and nurture them.
Joe Tutino is in his eighth season as the English radio voice of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He can be reached at jtutino@aol.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of the Los Angeles Galaxy or Major League Soccer.
