I dont get the feeling that he is as negative on the whole situation as he makes it out to be...
and BTW, the Franchino signing sounds like it was a good decision-the Galaxy really needed an enforcer type like that (think Dunga, Materazzi, Robbie Savage, etc)
I didn't think he sounded negative, just practical. He said he was going to work within the constraints now and try to change them for the future. That doesn't sound like he's looking to jump ship, just coming to terms with the realities of the job. For some guys who have already done what they wanted at top flight, I do believe that new and challenging in different ways can be interesting. Everything he said was certainly quite interesting to me anyway!
I'd place Gullit's problems more at the feet of the Galaxy front office than anything inherent in MLS. Two roster spots taken up by guys who are essentially Portland Timbers players (trained with Portland all preseason, Gullit never saw or heard about them), and a strange reluctance to fill the developmental roster that we saw last year as well (remember the game where the Galaxy only had 3 players on the bench?)...
I'm also not convinced that Gullit is making use of all the avenues for acquiring players that are open to a MLS team - for one, as far as I can tell we're sitting on a lot of allocation money, and secondly, surely we could be doing more to actively pursue some of the players Paul Bravo may have seen on his recent South American scounting trip? I read reports from other MLS teams (especially FC Dallas, mostly because Buzz Carrick does such a good job of reporting), and it seems like they tend to have a player or two on trial at any given time, as well as two or three college players training with them for part of the summer. Seems to me like a far cry from how the Galaxy is run.
a.c., you do realize that it was the Los Angeles Times that criticized the Franchino acquisition and that Gullit was talking to the Times of London?
Gullit gives great insights as to how the Galaxy is run -- like a freaking joke. I'm sure that USL clubs are run better. If Lalas and Bravo are the immediate causes of this catastrophe in the making, the underlying cause is Leiweke and the atmosphere of pressure, intimidation and yes-man-ism he and Anschutz encourage.
Of course, any soccer writer who equates Xavier with Beckham and Donovan doesn't know what he's talking about. Xavier is so finished as a player. As a fashion model, he might have a chance...
Re: Franchino: The jury is still out on him. Yes, he's performed well to date but remember that he hasn't had a lot of games under his belt, so fitness might be a problem. Second, given his off-the-field antics, how is the Galaxy keeping him accountable -- if the club is keeping him accountable?
joe, I do realize that the Times was quoting the LA Times - but the fact that they chose to quote the section on Franchino's negatives makes it clear that the author thought the signing was a bad idea.
Even Joe himself has said that his fitness is an issue - he's working to improve that.
Whether or not the deal for Franchino turns out badly if any of his problems crop up again, there's no denying the move has had positives so far, positives neither Times predicted.
I'm not sure Gullit would be able to implement 'sexy football' at but a handful of clubs in the world, much less an MLS team.
ReplyDeleteThe article highlighted his role in player development, which might end up being his largest contribution to the Galaxy and MLS.
I'm excited not for just this season, but the next two also if Gullit is able to coach out his contract.
that was an interesting read, thanks for the link. i have to say, though, mls sounds pretty bush league in the write-up.
ReplyDeleteregards, d
So whose fault is it if we can't field a reserve league team? Is it the league rules? Is it Lalas or Bravo? ...
ReplyDeleteI dont get the feeling that he is as negative on the whole situation as he makes it out to be...
ReplyDeleteand BTW, the Franchino signing sounds like it was a good decision-the Galaxy really needed an enforcer type like that (think Dunga, Materazzi, Robbie Savage, etc)
^
ReplyDeleteWow...
Dunga and Materazzi then Robbie Savage?
Serious?
I didn't think he sounded negative, just practical. He said he was going to work within the constraints now and try to change them for the future. That doesn't sound like he's looking to jump ship, just coming to terms with the realities of the job. For some guys who have already done what they wanted at top flight, I do believe that new and challenging in different ways can be interesting. Everything he said was certainly quite interesting to me anyway!
ReplyDeleteI'd place Gullit's problems more at the feet of the Galaxy front office than anything inherent in MLS. Two roster spots taken up by guys who are essentially Portland Timbers players (trained with Portland all preseason, Gullit never saw or heard about them), and a strange reluctance to fill the developmental roster that we saw last year as well (remember the game where the Galaxy only had 3 players on the bench?)...
ReplyDeleteI'm also not convinced that Gullit is making use of all the avenues for acquiring players that are open to a MLS team - for one, as far as I can tell we're sitting on a lot of allocation money, and secondly, surely we could be doing more to actively pursue some of the players Paul Bravo may have seen on his recent South American scounting trip? I read reports from other MLS teams (especially FC Dallas, mostly because Buzz Carrick does such a good job of reporting), and it seems like they tend to have a player or two on trial at any given time, as well as two or three college players training with them for part of the summer. Seems to me like a far cry from how the Galaxy is run.
a.c., you do realize that it was the Los Angeles Times that criticized the Franchino acquisition and that Gullit was talking to the Times of London?
ReplyDeleteGullit gives great insights as to how the Galaxy is run -- like a freaking joke. I'm sure that USL clubs are run better. If Lalas and Bravo are the immediate causes of this catastrophe in the making, the underlying cause is Leiweke and the atmosphere of pressure, intimidation and yes-man-ism he and Anschutz encourage.
Of course, any soccer writer who equates Xavier with Beckham and Donovan doesn't know what he's talking about. Xavier is so finished as a player. As a fashion model, he might have a chance...
Re: Franchino: The jury is still out on him. Yes, he's performed well to date but remember that he hasn't had a lot of games under his belt, so fitness might be a problem. Second, given his off-the-field antics, how is the Galaxy keeping him accountable -- if the club is keeping him accountable?
joe, I do realize that the Times was quoting the LA Times - but the fact that they chose to quote the section on Franchino's negatives makes it clear that the author thought the signing was a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteEven Joe himself has said that his fitness is an issue - he's working to improve that.
Whether or not the deal for Franchino turns out badly if any of his problems crop up again, there's no denying the move has had positives so far, positives neither Times predicted.