AC, the FF Fone-in guys are saying a couple things: 1) Ruud and Lalas are already going at it and not agreeing. 2) Ruud was shocked by the lack of talent at the MLS combine. Any insight into these points? Thanks, great article!
It wasn't a great combine - a lot of coaches were probably disappointed by what was on offer. That said, Ruud certainly is showing a willingness to use the players the team picked up in the combine, so it's not as if he doesn't believe in young MLS players. I can't speak to what goes on behind closed doors, but Lalas is at almost every practice and he and Ruud talk and seem fine. I've never seen either of the FFF guys at practice, though.
The FFF guys like to run their mouths, they're the TV version of MLSrumors. I don't even bother with the lot anymore.
I like your preview, but my player to watch is Bryan Jordan. The kid is absolutely insane, you should have seen him take a header at about 2 feet off the ground on Saturday [... wait, I'm sure you were there].
With a little MLS experience, he may be a one man band later in the season if Landon, Becks, and Ruiz are gone on FIFA dates.
He has the technical ability to be a player who brings the ball up from midfield, he has the positioning to get himself in dangerous places in front of goal, and he's missing enough brain cells to try something completely ridiculous when nothing else would work.
I think Donovan will be the key player on this team. Iveryone is talking about Becks and Ruiz, but I think that's mainly because LD is so steady and predictable.
If he can adapt to playing with Ruiz and/or Becks (even if one or ther other are out with injuries on-and-off) and maintain the quiet leadership that he showed in 2005, I think the Galaxy will do well.
If he is less assertive and cedes leadership to others (as he did in his last Euro stint and WC2006), I think the Gals are in trouble.
AC, what effect do you think Gullit will have on Landon? Just want to hear your opinion on the pairing. Do you think LD is the type to take away a lot from the opportunity or is he pretty much set in his way? He's never really had a coach who was quite the star player Ruud was. I, for one, hopes it makes him a bit more assertive in demanding more from those around him. He seemed a bit resigned to accept the incompetence that surrounded him on last year's squad.
Landon's dealt with coaches with big egos before - or did you think Bruce Arena was humble? Ruud is a big deal, but it's mostly the overseas media that recognizes this. Many of the U.S. press are clueless. I was at one practice recently where one guy said, "What's with the coach's funny accent?" Ruud is a demanding coach - I'm not sure Landon will have time to worry about the incompetence of others. He'll have to worry about getting the job done on his end.
13 comments:
What, no love for Michael Gavin? ;)
AC, the FF Fone-in guys are saying a couple things: 1) Ruud and Lalas are already going at it and not agreeing. 2) Ruud was shocked by the lack of talent at the MLS combine. Any insight into these points? Thanks, great article!
It wasn't a great combine - a lot of coaches were probably disappointed by what was on offer. That said, Ruud certainly is showing a willingness to use the players the team picked up in the combine, so it's not as if he doesn't believe in young MLS players. I can't speak to what goes on behind closed doors, but Lalas is at almost every practice and he and Ruud talk and seem fine.
I've never seen either of the FFF guys at practice, though.
Gavin has looked better since he came back from the tour, actually. Ruud is always on his case, and it might be paying off.
Nice observations AC.
I love Wynalda's comments in the piece. They are so...classic Wynalda.
It's definitely a season with some interesting subplots...
The FFF guys like to run their mouths, they're the TV version of MLSrumors. I don't even bother with the lot anymore.
I like your preview, but my player to watch is Bryan Jordan. The kid is absolutely insane, you should have seen him take a header at about 2 feet off the ground on Saturday [... wait, I'm sure you were there].
With a little MLS experience, he may be a one man band later in the season if Landon, Becks, and Ruiz are gone on FIFA dates.
He has the technical ability to be a player who brings the ball up from midfield, he has the positioning to get himself in dangerous places in front of goal, and he's missing enough brain cells to try something completely ridiculous when nothing else would work.
I can't wait till Gullit gets his first experience of MLS refereeing.
Interesting...
I think Donovan will be the key player on this team. Iveryone is talking about Becks and Ruiz, but I think that's mainly because LD is so steady and predictable.
If he can adapt to playing with Ruiz and/or Becks (even if one or ther other are out with injuries on-and-off) and maintain the quiet leadership that he showed in 2005, I think the Galaxy will do well.
If he is less assertive and cedes leadership to others (as he did in his last Euro stint and WC2006), I think the Gals are in trouble.
Off topic question... Is there any update on Kyle Martino and Kelly Gray?
AC, what effect do you think Gullit will have on Landon? Just want to hear your opinion on the pairing. Do you think LD is the type to take away a lot from the opportunity or is he pretty much set in his way? He's never really had a coach who was quite the star player Ruud was. I, for one, hopes it makes him a bit more assertive in demanding more from those around him. He seemed a bit resigned to accept the incompetence that surrounded him on last year's squad.
oh and great job evaluating the team and avoiding all the off field nonsense that saturates most of the Galaxy coverage.
Landon's dealt with coaches with big egos before - or did you think Bruce Arena was humble?
Ruud is a big deal, but it's mostly the overseas media that recognizes this. Many of the U.S. press are clueless. I was at one practice recently where one guy said, "What's with the coach's funny accent?"
Ruud is a demanding coach - I'm not sure Landon will have time to worry about the incompetence of others. He'll have to worry about getting the job done on his end.
BTW AC... Your review is great (as ussual). I kinda launched into a discussion of LD without telling you how much I appreciate your work.
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