I'm sure some MLS fans were glad that Houston was in the Pan-Pacific to restore a bit of pride to the local league, because the Galaxy definitely looked rough last night.
Of course, the defending champions aren't trying a bunch of new players, don't have a new coach who has yet decide on a formation, and don't have too many preseason injuries to deal with.
It's small consolation to the Galaxy fans, but I'll go out on a limb and say the club is at least better than they looked last night.
If Houston wins the Pan-Pacific - how appropriate for Hawaii's native son, Brian Ching, to claim the title.
Sadly, if attendance last night is any indication, it maybe the only such competition. With around 15,000 in the stands, that's low for an MLS game, and certainly not worth the long flight out to the island for four teams.
15,000? Yikes.
ReplyDeletePPC may be one-and-done.
Attendance looked pathetic in that 50,000 seat stadium. I wonder if it was bad advertising or not enough people in Hawaii care about pro soccer. Hopefully the 3rd place/final games will have at least twice that attendance.
ReplyDeleteA.C. - I was at the stadium and was a bit disappointed at size of the crowd, but it didn't feel as empty as maybe it looked on t.v. And it certainly didn't look as empty as the Red Bulls vs Chivas game I went to at Giants Stadium in NY last summer...
ReplyDeleteStarting the tournament on a weeknight with a double header probably suppressed attendance - esp. for school-age kids, so Sat. night should be a lot better. Pre-tournament local marketing was weak -- not much of a buzz for this event. I expected more fans from Japan since they like coming to Hawaii for other sports events. Again, maybe the marketing was suspect.
Keith
That turf looked awful - I hear that it's not remotely like the newer FieldTurf, it was old fashioned, rock-hard, Astroturf.
ReplyDeleteI hear you that the Galaxy and Dynamo have different goals - I think that the Galaxy had some decent things happen effort-wise in the 2nd half.
The Dynamo just looked ridiculous - Stuart Holden looked fantastic on the right wing - wonder if he could get a shot on the left wing for the U.S., specifically with Beasley hurt so much.
Of course, the defending champions aren't trying a bunch of new players, don't have a new coach who has yet decide on a formation, and don't have too many preseason injuries to deal with.
ReplyDeleteIt's small consolation to the Galaxy fans, but I'll go out on a limb and say the club is at least better than they looked last night.
Can't disagree with you more, a.c. The Galaxy's problem, ultimately, isn't preseason injuries (so much for Ruud's emphasis on "fitness"), new players (they always seem to have new players, don't they?) or yet-to-be-discovered tactics.
The fundamental problem is a brain trust (read, "brainless trust") that has put so much unrealistic pressure on itself and the players that 1)players don't enjoy playing with the Gals 2)Lalas makes stupid player transaction after stupid player transaction 3)They hire a coach with middling managerial success overseas just to make an impression 4)They sabotage themselves by having three players (Beckham, Donovan, Ruiz) consume half the salary cap 5)They sabotage themselves by having to dump legit players (i.e, Albright) just to fit under the cap.
The Gals will finish dead last in the Western Conference this season, won't win 10 games and will allow a minimum of 60 goals. You heard it here first.