Sunday, October 5, 2008

Changing of the guard

Remember when DC United and the LA Galaxy would have solid arguments in either camp for ultimate MLS supremacy?

As recently as 2004 and 2005, both claimed the MLS title. This past weekend, losses for both sides leave them close to missing the playoffs. The Open Cup title might provide some consolation for DC United, but coming against a USL team in a year when so many shiny new trophies with international prestige attached were available, it doesn't have as much luster.

As for Los Angeles, well, it would be the third year in a row they've missed the playoffs. Thing is, in terms of roster moves, no two teams tried harder to succeed by making numerous changes this year. How's that working out for them? Not so well.

The trend seems to show that changing by tweaking things rather than tossing them out wholesale is more successful.

5 comments:

Joseph D'Hippolito said...

Soccer, more than any other sport, relies on on-the-field relationships because of the relatively sophisticated techniques of ball control and shooting. You just can't make wholesale changes every year (right, Alexi?) and expect, let alone demand, success.

The fact that the Galaxy and D.C. United don't seem to realize this speaks very poorly about the people in charge of personnel decisions -- and their knowledge of the sport.

Joseph D'Hippolito said...

BTW, Justin, that was superb marking by Klein on Moreno's goal. Yesiree, that trade with Real Salt Lake has really been a boon for the Galaxy! How many times has Klein led them to the playoffs, now?

Frank Macomber said...

At this point, I'd like to see a complete fire sale of the Galaxy team. Anyone over 30 not from England should be cut loose.

nothingtoseehere said...

After almost 3.5 years of a rigorous college education, I've come to the conclusion the 90s really were better.

Anonymous said...

how long was DC out of the playoffs before coming back strong? An ill wind blows clean, and LA needs to get some new blow hards in there.