Top XI
G: Kevin Hartman Brad Guzan
D: Hunter Freeman Tony Beltran
D: Claudio Suarez
D: Gonzalo Martinez
M: Carlos Mendes
M: Clyde Simms
M: Sacha Kljestan
M: Marcelo Gallardo
M: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
F: Ante Razov
F: Landon Donovan Edson Buddle
Coach: Sigi Schmid. Between switching formations and subbing in Stephen Lenhart, Schmid pulled all the right strings to get his Crew side back from a pair of deficits.
Top goal: Gonzalo Martinez's powerful blast against San Jose on Sunday was the best in a week of decent-to-average goals.
Edson Buddle's move past Danny O'Rourke, his control in the box and clinical angle on the far-post finish was top shelf.
Top save: Kevin Hartman turned away a point-blank shot from Amado Guevara that kept Toronto from scoring late in the second half.
LOWLIGHTS
Even in a week that saw eight shutouts, ghastly defensive performances were rather abundant.
Consider:
Chris Klein had his worst night as a member of the Galaxy. He tripped up Robbie Rogers inside the box that led to an equalizer and was just slow defensively overall.
Nat Borchers and Nick Rimando made a mess of a long kick from New England goalkeeper Matt Reis and Adam Cristman capitalized. It was only offset by...
Jay Heaps' lousy clearance attempt. On a set piece, Heaps rose and headed the ball right into his own net.
Zach Wells has been the league's worst goalkeeper this season. Yes, Tony Caig has been gawdawful but Wells has played in all but one game this year, and allowed 21 goals in 13 games. His attempt, or whatever you call it, to parry a cross away that led to John Cunliffe's goal is typical of his effort this season.
William Hesmer also had a head-scratching moment. What exactly was he trying to do on the play that led to the Galaxy's first goal?
Adam Smarte also had a brief momentary lapse of judgement late in San Jose's 3-1 loss to DC as he gave away to Marcelo Gallardo inside his own penalty area. Needless to say, it wasn't a very smart move.
No defensive gaffe could compare to the shock and horror of some offensive misses this week.
Consider: Chad Barrett heading wide right in front of goal, missing wide on what should have been a straightforward kick, missing an empty net with an angled shot, and blocking a teammate's shot on goal by getting in the way of the ball.
Honorable mention: David Beckham missing the goal by miles while only a few feet in front of the goal.
Not sure about the wisdom of Becks bringing up his slip against Portugal ;-). There you saw a few pounds of turf fly up and the home countries are still incensed.
ReplyDeleteUnless hit by a meteor its probably best just to say something to the effect of, yeah that was rubbish, if asked.
You're right about the offensive gaffs in general, compounded for me by quite a few stunners in the EURO quarters.
It's funny though, on the topic of offensive gaffes. the two forwards picked for the weeks XI both missed absolute sitters. Edson headed wide of an open goal and LD missed an absolute sitter from 10ft and they are strikers and this is at the heart of their game...
ReplyDeletei love how LB always has chivas represented and AC always throws in a galaxy player or two.
ReplyDelete