Wow...... I've come to the conclusion that you will always find a negative thing to say when the Galaxy are involved (and it may not be about the Galaxy, but whom they play) in the topic, and thats quite alright, I can accept this. When I was an Admin on this sight the far majority always saw the glass 'half empty, not half full', and if it was a team they were not fond of, they responded in a negative manner. This was a problem I always had, people posted with there heart, not there head. Like I said, I do realize thats the way it is, so while I think its a shame because there is so much people can 'add', but choose to 'subtract' and I have come to accept it.

And you are correct, Chivas first goal was a great shot, but very poor defending by Xavier. You never allow a player to dribble uncontested in the 18 yard box, which he did. Gullitt made mention of this after the game in an interview, and took exception to the second goal which Xavier failed to clear as the ball squirted through his legs.

For a team (LA) trying to figure it out as we go, I saw positive things out there. I said in my previous postings that the back line leaves much to be desired, still the case, but this again was the first time Gullitt had lined the back four up in those specific positions.

I don't mean to be harsh with my statements, you are correct about the shabby defense played, but I saw more good things in that game then bad and I'm one that likes to dwell on the positives. And finally, I can turn on my TV on any given game day and see poor defense no matter what league we are speaking of, most goals are scored because of poor defense or a breakdown, not because of a great shot.

Well there's only two of us chatting it up in here. If I agreed with you on everything, it wouldn't be much fun now would it? You're a Galaxy supporter, so you're bound to see the glass half full (and you should). While I on the other hand, can give you a different perspective from someone outside the box with the glass half empty towards the Galaxy.

Maybe I should start a D.C. United thread so you can post from outside the box with the glass half empty.

Thanks for not taking it personally, it was never meant to be. I would like to think I don't see the glass half empty of full, but just report on the facts. I'll be the first to tell you when they perform terribly, as they have, and as I have reported, But I will tell you when they do good as well. Thats where I have a tough time, it's not such a hard thing to do, that is report without being bias, all that is required is to see things for what they are.

This is off topic here, but I am a bigger Gunners fan, they are my team and for me there is nobody even close as far as my supporting. But if they play poorly, I will say so. Why? Because simply put, they played poorly. when I posted regularly, then became a Mod, then became a Admin I would be upfront and honest. I did get rather tired of those who posted either so against them that all they did was post to wind people up, they became rude and totally biased one way or the other that I realized I was wasting my time. And I had some other obligations that caused me to step aside. But my point is, this football forum could be so good (it's already good, but i mean so much better) if people would 'talk about the game', not try to be antagonistic and rude. Anyway, enough, I've gone on way to long. Finally, I'g love to get back to posting about the EPL, thats where my love is, and like I said, about Arsenal. But, like I also said, I'm not willing to put up with all the rubbish that goes on when someone is trying to make a sensible point....

Good thing you weren't here when we lost to Tottenham 5-1. It went on for good 2-3 weeks. People came out of the woodworks, new people joined the forum, only to say ... 5-1.

Well, they had a right to be happy when you consider they are always looking up to Arsenal in the tables. It's a sad story when one game makes your season........

Uh oh ... This doesn't sound good.




On a brighter note. You could get picked out to play on the reserves squad. How awesome would that be?

Interesting stuff, to say the least. It's good that he mentioned he hasn't tried to change things 'YET'..... I think that may come in due time, but I may also venture to say that this might be the occurrence with other MLS teams as well and is just accepted, in other words, this is how it's done here.

While I for one minute do not agree with how things are run if that is so, and I see no reason for Ruud to fabricate here, I still think he must realize that this is the MLS, still an infatile of a league when compared to not only what he's familiar with but to every major league in the world.....

In due time......

Do the Galaxy have a youth program? (excluding Beckham's football school)

Yes, they have just started a youth system this season. We here in Southern California are a hotbed for youth soccer teams, we are known for our youth players and the clubs they play for. As more and more MLS teams are wanting to capture the youth players while at the same time not stepping on the existing clubs toes it is something that will be interesting to see pan out.

I coach and have coached for a number of years, and for todays serious soccer player to be able to say I am associated with 'you insert the MLS team' youth team is great.......

Another change in the back for Gullitt's Galaxy saw them go behind 2-0 before Beckham scored from outside the 18 bending a shot in the upper left hand top corner. He would later curl a free kick in the the same spot to tie the game at 2-2 where it eventually would end. The first 25 minutes LA was outplayed by Real before they started to come to life. They have yet to play a full 90 minutes where they are the better team. All in all, a point the road is gladly taken.

Edson Buddle was injured very early in the game and Gordon replaced him. Gullitt would not sub for the rest of the game, which would indicate he doesn't have much depth on his bench and he'll go with who he thinks are his best until they beg to come out. Not sure how long that will last, at some point his younger players are going to have to get 'baptized by fire'.......

It's only 1 point, but it's better than none.............

Two good goals from Golden balls there. How many games have been played so far this season?

Galaxy have played 6 games in total. 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.

And yes, both of Beck's goals were very nice, absolutely nothing the keeper could do on either of them.....

I didn't watch this game so have nothing to say really about it. The two Beckham goals were world class. His first goal was pretty much a free kick. No one closed down on him, he just teed it up and placed it into the top corner. It was brilliant.

Pretty strange night............. Either of the teams impressed, and the Galaxy played like they were in a funk. Beckham couldn't make a pass, complete a cross and just seemed frustrated and Donovan did one of his disappearing acts and overall they were totally out of sync and one never felt they were in the match, even when they tied the score at 1-1. NY wasn't much better, Altidore didn't work off the ball, Angel never got the ball in position to do something with it, but the one time he did he made LA pay and it ended up being the winning goal. It was a totally frustrating night.....

Overall this has been a strange start to the MLS season. The perennial strong teams are struggling and the teams everyone really didn't favor to do well are doing well. Still, it's early on and there is still away's to go...

Can someone tell me why the Galaxy are having friendly matches with their core players in the middle of the season? They played the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday and lost 2-1. I'm not sure how many of the first squad played, but I do know that Beckham played in the match. But for a club that can't field a full squad for a reserves match (previously), I'm sure quite a few of the core players played in this friendly.

You may want to ask the MLS that question, but the obvious answer is $$$. They drew a large crowd the last the two teams met. The MLS have a skewered way of operating sometimes. A meaningless game that only bad could come from, like a major injury. I myself didn't even watch it or read about if. Foolish.......

A trip to Frisco Texas to play FC Dallas in the heat and on turf (don't get me started about playing on this stuff....). Final score was 5-1 Galaxy as LA's play seemed a bit more intense and with some direction. Edson Buddle finished with a hatrick, Klien and a Dallas OG accounted for the remaining two. Things got a bit interesting when late in the game Beckham was blasted from behind on a late tackle by Adrian Serioux, who then had the nerve to get up a chatter over Beckham and still barking as he walked away. Beckham got up a pushed him and was quickly steered away. Serioux was rightly shown a red card, Beckham a yellow. These teams are not fond of one another and it showed.

A nice win on the road in front of a sellout crowd. Next Saturday, home against the KC Wizard......

50 minutes of ho-hum soccer while watching Argentinean striker Claudio Lopez weave his way in the 18 yd box to slot home a goal and KC was up 1-0. It appeared that LA is still struggling with Gullitt's 4-3-2-1 concept and getting back in coverage, to the point where Franchino was subbed out before the half for not doing so.

Finally it was some short passing ending with a Donovan pass to Buddle who slotted it home to tie it up at 1-1. Donovan was later to get knocked down in the box and converted the penalty to give LA a 2-1 lead. LA keeper Cronin made things very interesting with his kamikaze style of keeping and KC came close to tying it but for a last minute clearance off the line. Then in injury time, KC with a corner, they brought everyone into the box including keeper Hartman. LA cleared the corner and it fell to Beckham who pushed the ball away from the goal and launched a 70 yd shot that found an empty net to make it 3-1, the final score.

A good win while there is still work to be done in figuring out Ruud's system. Ruiz subbed in for Donovan and looked good for being away for awhile. The win took LA to the top of the Western Division.

Next up, home against Colorado in the US Open Cup............

Just saw the goal on Youtube.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=a7k2L6c7XXk

Lol at Xavier - how's he going, OP?

Xavier is cool on the ball sometimes, but bottom line is he's a disaster waiting to happen.......

No Beckham and Donovan (in England for US - England friendly tomorrow). Still controlled 90% of the game, missed to many opportunities and Cronin made one mistake in the goal and Connor Casey made him and the Galaxy pay for it. Final score, Colorado 1 Galaxy 0........ A frustrating game to watch......

Good things from the game, Carlos Ruiz started and played 60 + minutes, had numerous chances but couldn't convert, Ante Jazic returned to the back line after a long injury layoff and some playing time for 18 year old striker Israel Sesay.

I didn't see the game, so I can't comment on the in's and out's. Again, the Galaxy were without Beckham (with England National side) and Donovan (injured), but at the same time Toronto was missing 3 players on call for international duty, 2 players injured and a player missing due to suspension, all starters. This has to be of great concern for Gullitt who will need to find a way to win when he 's forced to play without Landon and David. I'm sure this will not be the last time he is faced with this. LA struggled and Toronto came out on top with a 2-0 win.

To Toronto's credit, they have yet to lose a home game this year and continue to show they are not doormat's as some skeptic's labeled them before the season started.

Next up for the Galaxy is a home game to Colorado who they have yet to beat this season in two games.......

Another opportunity to deal Colorado with a loss, and LA finally did it. While it was a shaky ending, never the less it was a 3-2 victory. Again Donovan was away for todays US - Argentina game but Beckham was back and played very well. What was once a 3-0 lead turned out to be a nail biter as Colorado drew 2 back late in the game and was all over LA's goal at the final whistle. A couple of LA injuries, a red card to a player on each team, an out of shape Carlos Ruiz made it and eventful evening.

LA is now in first place, but for how long is the question. Will they continue on there one step forward and two steps back or continue to make progress? Barring an injury to Donovan in todays friendly, he will be back for the next game.

1st in the West. 5th overall. The west is very subpar and give you guys an advantage as you play everyone in your division 3 times.

Agree.... But we got verbally hammered last season when we were well down in the table, so obviously it appears to be a 'no win' situation. I don't think a team controls how good or bad the teams in there division are, all they are able to do is play the game when the whistle blows.

I think every LA team is used to it though, they are either loved or hated. And, I will say that while I mentioned the standings, the only thing that matters is where you are when the MLS Cup is lifted.......