Week Three Rankings

Lots of movement in this week's rankings, but how far did top-ranked RSL slide after losing at Rio Tinto? And how far up did the bottom-feeding Revs move after picking up their first win of the year?

1. Seattle Sounders: Another convincing victory
2. Sporting KC: Flying high after another high-flying win
3. LA Galaxy: A badly-needed week off should bode well for Revs' visit
4. Real Salt Lake: Choke job? Wake up call? Whatever it was, loss to Chivas was not good
5. Chicago: The Birdman flyeth once more
6. FC Dallas: Villar has discovered his scoring touch
7. Houston: Success in Seattle was always going to be difficult
8. Vancouver: Should have done better against weak DC side
9. San Jose: A veritable goal explosion for the 'Quakes
10. Columbus: Solid, tidy victory
11. New York: Cooper playing like the FC Dallas version
12. Colorado: Where was that jogo bonito versus the Red Bulls?
13. Portland: Lots of supposed attacking prowess but failed to score on hapless Revs
14. Chivas USA: Stunning result; perhaps this is start of something good
15. New England: Early goal led to confidence, three points; something to build on
16. Montreal: Road goals - let alone points - will be tough to come by
17. Toronto FC. So much promise, so horrid a start
18. DC United. Clean sheet, but that's about the only good thing that happened on weekend
19. Philadelphia. No Doop in Doopville tonight

Frings Injury No Death Blow For Toronto FC

Throughout Toronto FC's CONCACAF Champions League series with the LA Galaxy, I was most impressed with two playres - Ryan Johnson and Torsten Frings. Johnson needs no explanation - his goals were clutch and well-taken. He nearly scored the dagger with a rocket from outside the box late in the second leg but still had a tremendous series overall.

Frings meanwhile was the architect to the defense. Normally a central midfielder, Frings was always a step ahead, a thought ahead of the Galaxy. Playing primarily a three-man backline, Frings was able to help keep both Robbie Keane and Edson Buddle off the score sheet as the Galaxy could only score two goals (from their own players' feet anyway) in 180 minutes. I told some colleagues that if Frings were to play the entire MLS season at defender, he'd be a strong candidate for Defender of the Year.

Now word comes out that Frings is injured. A hamstring injury will sideline him for 4-6 weeks according to Toronto FC. That means he will miss both legs of Toronto's CONCACAF Champions League series against Santos Laguna and may not return until May.

A death blow for Toronto, right?

Well, in Champions League it may be. Toronto will be massive underdogs against Santos Laguna, who polished off Seattle with a 6-1 drubbing in Torreon a week ago. Toronto need to head to Mexico with at least a two-goal edge in order to have a chance but a home win of any kind seems difficult against the Mexicans. With Frings, perhaps. Without Frings... massively challenging.

In league, though, their chances may not be as bleak. Consider this: Toronto FC will play four of their next five matches at home. Their upcoming schedule:

March 24: San Jose

March 31: Columbus

April 7:  at Montreal

April 14: Chivas USA

April 21: Chicago

Four matches at home, the fifth away to the expansion Impact in what could be a charged bit of a rivalry match.

The next four games are also favorable... well, aside from the first one...

April 28: at Real Salt Lake

May 5: DC United

May 19: at DC United

May 26: Philadelphia

It seems what could save Toronto during this time is that they play in the Eastern Conference. Their toughest match is the away fixture to Real Salt Lake. Aside from Chivas and San Jose, not exactly Western powers, the rest of the schedule is filled with Eastern clubs.

Losing Frings may have killed Toronto FC's CCL hopes but their league campaign should be strong. And if it doesn't, it won't be something their fans aren't used to.

Week Two Rankings

After Week Two, here's how the teams stand in my eyes:

1. Real Salt Lake: Strong, convincing victory; Espindola and Velasquez each off to tremendous starts.

2. Seatte: Who needs Fucito (or EJ for that matter) when you've got Estrada?

3. LA Galaxy: Keane finally finds his confidence, Galaxy reap rewards.

4. Sporting KC: SKC's attack just gets scarier and scarier every game.

5. FC Dallas: Perez with the first of his double-digit goal total this year.

6. Portland: Showed grit to overcome road deficit

7. Houston: A pair of 1-0 road wins to open season; not bad.

8. Colorado: Surprising 2-0 start? Playing a bad Philly team helped.

9. Vancouver: If Whitecaps can score consistently on set pieces, watch out.

10. Chicago: Weathered Montreal's impressive crowd and tough team for a valuable road point.

11. Columbus: Week off for the Crew, but still move up because they're not as bad as others.

12. San Jose: Offense can't be just a one-man show.

13. New York: Defense/goalkeeping has been abysmal so far.

14. Toronto FC: Backline was in shambles throughout the loss in Seattle but Johnson's a star.

15. Montreal: Deserved to win the match, but nobody is feeling down about their crowd.

16. Chivas USA: Something has to start happening up top; no difference makers in there now.

17. Philadelphia: MacMath has some maturing to do, and needs to do it quickly.

18. DC United: Pitiful showing; DeLeon helps save some face.

19. New England: Don't worry Revs, you probably would have lost 3-0 with 11 men.

Galaxy Lineup Difficulties

Among the many reasons you can point blame to for the Galaxy's CCL debacle is the lineup choices. Bruce Arena sent out nearly the same lineup for the Galaxy's three games of the year. The following players have started every game: Josh Saunders, Todd Dunivant, AJ De La Garza, Sean Franklin, Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Mike Magee, Edson Buddle and Robbie Keane. In case you're keeping track, that's nine players. All but Magee and Franklin played every minute of the first three games.

Under those circumstances, it's difficult to win games, particularly when the opponent has had more time to rest, which was the case against Toronto FC on Wednesday.

Anyway, despite what Bruce Arena has said about players needing rest, he has shown the opposite. No rest for the weary.

DC United will be the Galaxy's last game until March 31 - they will have a bye week next week. Since they won't be playing on the weekend, the Galaxy will have ample enough time to rest up. Plus, since the Galaxy have not been able to win yet this year, the match against DC will be a bit of a must-win.

Therefore, I don't expect to see much change in the lineup. My guess: Saunders, Dunivant, Meyer, De La Garza, Keat; Magee, Sarvas, Beckham, Donovan; Buddle, Keane.

It's certainly great to have players like Keane and Beckham, but it's also a bit of a curse. You almost have to start them every game. It's tempting to let them sit and rest and get their confidence back but at the same time no matter who else you turn to, you're not going to find a better option on the bench. Additionally, those players handcuff Arena because if the Galaxy are trailing, there's no way Keane or Beckham sit. If the Galaxy are winning, that's fine but if they're not those players will keep playing 90 minutes over and over again

Friday Fuming

Horrors! The Galaxy bounced from the CCL while the defending champions of MLS? It's so 2006. That was a bad year for the team due partly to scheduling, but also partly due to the lack of coaching foresight to cope with the scheduling and either be creative with the lineup or kick up a bigger fuss to get games moved. The Ghost of Galaxy Coaches Past, Frank Yallop, is visiting Bruce Arena right now to say, "Whatever you do, don't miss the playoffs." Actually, it was MLS Cup-winning coach Steve Sampson who lost the CCL game in Costa Rica, then was fired midway through that debacle of a season, but it was Yallop who got saddled with a crazy Beckham-fueled schedule in 2007 that helped hobble the Galaxy to yet another playoff-missing season. Ah, memories. 

I'm taking a break from grading essay  papers to post here on the revamped Sideline Views, where I will pretty much be cheering Luis on, but probably not posting a lot of original news myself. For those who care to know, I've returned to teaching (morning and evening classes which pretty much wipe out time for reporting anything). I've also bought a fixer-upper property. It turns out that transformations are not as easy as the DIY Channel makes things look, so that's a lot of ongoing work.

I always wanted to write about topics that tended to be overlooked and bring new and different stories to readers, so I haven't taken down my freelance badge. I still write for Futbol Mundial on occasion. I still get a happy thrill when a player I picked out early for stardom has a good game. It's always fun to see a quote from a player I personally know is a great interview, kind and fair to reporters. If I recognize a byline from a writer who was friendly in the pressbox, I'll still feel collegial camaraderie. I'm always proud to see bylines of writers I personally worked with and tried to help. Life goes on though, and my spot on the sideline these days is closer to the couch. 

Of course, that doesn't mean I can't snark from there about how the Galaxy should have done better against TFC.  Luis covered the details of that, already, though. I'll just add that those who thought an MLS Cup win bought Bruce Arena a lifetime appointment as Galaxy coach, think again. Every coach before him who won the Cup (Schmid and Sampson) was fired by the organization. The AEG shakeup of the Galaxy admin staff (where they let Galaxy president Tom Payne go, among others) also reveals an impatience for any results deemed poor. Losing to TFC in the CCL, and starting the season with a losing record at home won't get Arena fired, but those are definitely poor results for the Galaxy.

CCL Debacle

Nearly 24 hours have passed since the LA Galaxy were bounced prematurely from the CONCACAF Champions League, and I've decided that it is indeed a debacle.

This was something the Galaxy had invested heavily in, this tournament. The Galaxy fancy themselves a global club, a brand, an identity that goes beyond your average MLS club. Their brand transcends borders - they're quick to point out that no other MLS club could stage an Asian tour like the Galaxy can. Theirs is the big club, the super club, the jewel of the league, right?

And yet, there goes the Galaxy, out in the quarterfinal phase of the CONCACAF Champions League, ousted by a team that's never made the MLS playoffs, that is an afterthought in the league. An also ran. Supposedly, right?

What went wrong is up for debate. You can blame the defense. Tommy Meyer was not as solid as he could have been and neither was AJ De La Garza. Todd Dunivant drew the ire of David Beckham while Bruce Arena said afterward that Sean Franklin was gassed.

You can also blame the offense. Robbie Keane looked timid and hesitant inside the box and saw one excellent opportunity turned away. Landon Donovan also had a chance inside the area but saw the ball get away from him, then could not get the official to bite on a dive.

You might even blame the officiating. Mike Magee was incorrectly ruled offside on a play that saw him find the back of the net. Who knows how that would have affected the outcome, though?

You can definitely blame Bruce Arena. He said he mishandled the lineup on Saturday vs. RSL, then turned around and sent nearly the same lineup out against Toronto FC.

Wherever you place the blame, though, this is a debacle. Absolutely without question. Had the Galaxy gone out in the semifinal round, then perhaps it wouldn't be so much. If they had gone out against a Mexican club in the quarterfinals, it is understandable.

But against Toronto FC? That's just unacceptable.

Now, this is not an anti-Toronto FC post. Like a lot of others, I quickly have become a believer in Toronto FC. Danny Koevermans is the real deal and if Torsten Frings plays the entire season on defense, he's definitely a Defender of the Year candidate... frontrunner even.

But Toronto FC aren't heavy favorites to win MLS Cup. The Galaxy, with all their glitz and glamor, are. That the Galaxy failed to win under those circumstances screams debacle.

Collective Failure For Galaxy

The LA Galaxy's CONCACAF Champions League run ended prematurely.

No battles with Santos Laguna or any other Mexican club. No deep run into this tournament. No captivating series of games coming up. Nothing now but league play.

The Galaxy lost to Toronto FC by 2-1 on Wednesday in Carson and dropped the series by a 4-3 aggregate. Toronto FC moves on while the Galaxy now must sift through the mess left behind by this unexpected defeat.

What went wrong? Plenty. The defense failed to execute. Robbie Keane was unable to put away one of two clear chances he had inside the penalty area. Other players were unable to generate their own scoring chances. In fact, if it wasn't for former Galaxy defender Ty Harden sliding and knocking a ball in the back of his own net, Toronto FC may have walked away with a clean sheet.


A team with David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and Robbie Keane is not supposed to get shut out, right? At least, isn't that expected, that that quartet will score goals by the boatload?


Goals of any kind did not happen Wednesday and frankly haven't happened enough in the early going. The Galaxy have scored four goals in three games, a decent output, but clearly more is expected from the attack. The punchless attack, particularly on Wednesday, has now cost the Galaxy a semifinals berth.


Defensively the team has confirmed its worst fears - Omar Gonzalez's loss will be devastating. The MLS Defender of the Year left a huge hole in defense and so far, the team has not come close to filling it. Seven goals allowed in three games is nowhere near the level of stinginess the Galaxy enjoyed a year ago. There were no three-game stretches that saw the Galaxy allow seven goals in 2011.


This Galaxy team was not just built to win trophies but rather to do so in style. These are attention-grabbing players who put fans in the seat just as much as they put balls in the back of the net. For them to go out in the quarterfinal round, to an MLS club who has never made the playoffs no doubt, is a major disappointment.


And just as they all trumpeted after MLS Cup 2011 that everyone was responsible for that triumph, everyone is responsible for this failure, from the coaching staff down to the last player on the field.

Galaxy-TFC: We Got Links

In case you haven't read them, here are the links to the stories I've written ahead of the LA Galaxy's game tonight versus Toronto FC.

Galaxy eager for first win of 2012

Galaxy want to win CCL to raise global profile

Toronto-Galaxy preview story (more nuts-and-bolts type stuff)

Tired legs no excuse

Lineup changes coming vs Toronto (even though we all know they're not)

And here's something I wrote up for The Press-Enterprise on Landon Donovan and his chance to make history with the Galaxy here in the CCL.

Galaxy-Toronto FC: Leftover Items

Some notes and loose ends from the Galaxy's critical CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Toronto FC.

SCHEDULING DEBATE

The Galaxy were the only CCL entrant to play in the league's opening weekend. Seattle and Toronto FC each had the weekend off, but the Galaxy played against one of the league's best teams, hosting Real Salt Lake.

Now, let me say this real quickly - the Galaxy do not have a match the weekend of March 24-25, which would mean should the Galaxy advance to the semifinals, they will have gone from March 18 until March 28 without a game. Both Toronto and Seattle have games that weekend. Take that for what you will.

Also, the league moved RSL's league match scheduled between the first and second legs of the final, and I would absolutely fully expect that whether it's Toronto, Seattle or the Galaxy in the final.

Anyway, here's what Bruce Arena had to say on Tuesday about the scheduling portion of this whole thing.

"It is what it is. There’s nothing we can do about it. In the future, I’m going to make much more responsibility in the scheduling and we as an organization, we have a protocol in place to where we’re not going to put ourselves in this position again. That’s that. It’s over with. I accept the responsibility for the scheduling the way it is. We’re moving forward. What’s done is done. We’re going to do everything we can to get out of this leg and then get ready for Sunday. That’s what we’re dealing with now and that’s the way it is."

ATTENDANCE CAP

Another quirky thing from this game is the attendance cap of 7500. Because of some lame agreement between the club and Cal State Dominguez Hills, there is a cap in place. It's ridiculous but for now, it stands. I do hope it's abolished in the future, as soon as possible.

Anyway, the crowd then could drop about 40,000 from last week to this week. A week ago, more than 47,000 crammed into the cavernous Rogers Centre, and now there will be an intimate gathering at Home Depot Center.

The crowd had an effect on the match in Canada - at least the start of it - but that's not to say that a smaller crowd won't do the same for the Galaxy.

"They certainly started well and you can at least partially attribute that to the crowd," Landon Donovan said. "(Wednesday) night it will be loud. It won’t be the same type of environment but it will be loud. Our fans will be loud. It will be a good night, not quite the same, but we need to make sure we use that to our advantage this time."

LOOSE ENDS

Todd Dunivant on playing a massive series so early in the year: It’s different coming straight out of preseason. Edson and Robbie had their first game together last Wednesday in Champions League. They’re still getting to know each other and the team is still gelling but there’s no excuse. This is the hand we’re dealt and we’ve got to deal with it. It’s not easy but it’s what we’ve got to do to advance and we’re not going to make any excuses.

Donovan on leaving Saturday's loss behind and focusing on Toronto FC: "Bruce is very good with that. Had we won the game on Saturday it would have been the same mentality but I think everyone is chomping at the bit because we’re a little frustrated with how the game ended the other night."

Dunivant on the backline's performance (five goals allowed in two games): "We’re aware that we want to tighten it up. We had a similar issue last year, we started off kind of slow and gave up a big game against Salt Lake at their place. It’s not new to us and coming out of preseason we have been a little bit not as sharp as we need to be. Getting those zeroes was a big source of pride for us last year and we have to get that back and we know that as a backline."

Galaxy-Santos? Epic Storylines

We're not daydreaming here at all. Well, maybe a little but we're looking ahead at the potential Galaxy-Santos matchup and, well, we like what we see.

That's not to say a Galaxy/Toronto-Seattle series wouldn't be grand. It would mean a lot to MLS to have another Champions League finalist, but the possible series between the Galaxy and Santos Laguna is brimming with storylines, possibly the grandest storylines of any potential matchup anywhere down the road in this tournament.

Consider...

* Herculez Gomez vs. LA Galaxy - The legend of Herculez was created at Home Depot Center. Gomez was one of the bright spots in a successful 2005 season, and the breakthrough kid won over hearts while consistently filling the back of the net. Gomez was dealt away a year later and after mixed success in MLS found his form in Mexico.

* Landon Donovan vs. Oswaldo Sanchez - Do we really need to say more? Well, okay. Donovan and Sanchez had some epic battles in previous US-Mexico games. A lot of back-and-forth and trash-talking has gone on, with Donovan usually having had the last laugh. Donovan scored on Sanchez in a friendly in 2007, afterward Sanchez slid into Eddie Johnson; later that year, Donovan buried a penalty kick past Sanchez in the Gold Cup final.

* Landon Donovan vs. Mexico - Santos is not representative of Mexico but anytime Donovan steps on Mexican soil (in a soccer capacity anyway) he instantly becomes Public Enemy No. 1. His reception in Morelia last year was hostile, and Torreon should be equally as inviting.

* David Beckham's first trip to Mexico - That was supposed to have happened when the Galaxy played in Morelia but Beckham was left behind in order to give him some extra rest - three games in eight days was too much for Becks in 2011. Beckham would presumably visit Santos and touch off a frenzy, as he did in Costa Rica and Honduras a year ago.

* MLS vs. Mexico - This is an ever-present storyline and one that will not cease to exist. How do MLS clubs fare against their Mexican counterparts? In this case, the question will be how does the top team in MLS, the one with the high-priced big-name stars, fare against a solid Mexican club.

I may have missed a storyline there somewhere but I think those would be plenty to grab attention on both sides of the border to begin with.

Of course, I'm not necessarily hoping this happens. In all honesty, I'd like to see another MLS team in the final, and an LA/Toronto vs Seattle series would guarantee that, but the games will have to be played before we can really start hammering out story ideas.

Changes? Don't Expect Any

After Saturday's loss to Real Salt Lake, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he would "have to make changes against Toronto."

He made two changes to the lineup from Wednesday's game in Toronto, and apparently fatigue forced the Galaxy to crash and burn in the end. Changes then seemed not only likely but necessary.

Except when you actually look at what Arena is dealing with.

The Galaxy's game against Toronto FC is not a win-or-else match; they can tie 0-0 or 1-1 and go through. But the series is an advance-or-else series. Not getting past Toronto FC would be a catastrophe and would be well short of where the Galaxy figured they'd advance.

With that scenario then, who does Arena rest? David Beckham? Landon Donovan? Robbie Keane? Absolutely no chance any of them rest.

Todd Dunivant? AJ De La Garza? Sean Franklin? No, no and no.

Juninho is a lock to return to the lineup since Marcelo Sarvas is cup-tied. Josh Saunders is not going anywhere.

Edson Buddle? Highly unlikely. Mike Magee? Same as Buddle, to a little bit of a lesser extent.
 
That leaves the center back spot. Tommy Meyer could start and be fine - he did not play in Toronto. But that's hardly a massive change either way.


So if I'm a betting man, then I'd place my wager on this lineup:


Saunders: Dunivant, De La Garza, Meyer, Franklin; Magee, Juninho, Beckham, Donovan; Keane, Buddle.


Gee, that looks very familiar.

CCL: Most Likely Matchups

Well, we're a day away from the decisive CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal legs; the ones involving MLS teams anyway. We'll have one guaranteed MLS semifinalist and the other MLS side is ahead on aggregate in their series.

But what matchup will we get?

In order of most likely to least likely...

LA Galaxy vs Santos Laguna: Yes, the Sounders lead the series heading into the second leg but Santos are not in an uncomfortable position. A 1-0 win does the trick for the Mexicans.

LA Galaxy vs. Seattle: Having said that... if Seattle can score the first goal, they will instantly put themselves in the driver's seat. An early goal would force Santos to win 3-1 in order to win the series outright, while a 2-1 Santos win would push the series into extra time. The series could come down to who scores the first goal.

Toronto vs. Santos: A Toronto FC victory seemed improbable weeks ago but the Galaxy have shown some flaws, having allowed five goals in two games. If Danny Koevermans is on, anything is possible.

Toronto vs. Seattle. This may not be the most attractive matchup but it would produce an MLS finalist.

MLS Rankings: Week One

Alright, let me try my hand at these...

1. Real Salt Lake: Tore apart defending champs at their place.
2. Seattle: Will get more accurate read once league play starts.
3. LA Galaxy: Um... they're still pretty good.
4. Sporting KC: Took a late winner but got job done.
5. FC Dallas: Blas Perez will be solid, and if Villar can score regularly, watch out.
6. Portland: Were very impressive in come-from-behind win.

7. Houston: Dull but effective; a bit fortunate to have gotten a point.
8. New York: Cooper had a nice goal; perhaps he should start.
9. Vancouver: Le Toux-Hassli could be nasty.
10. Colorado - Can Rapids be halfway exciting for a change? Pareja might make em so.
11. Chicago - Love the Arne Friedrich signing. Love love love it.
12. Columbus - Lots of work for Warzycha to do.
13. San Jose - Wondo scores, 1-0 win... formula for success.
14. Toronto FC: If Torsten Frings plays defense all season, he's a Defender of Year candidate.
15. Philadelphia: Sorry Philly, but this team's not very good
16. DC United: Gonna be a long season in nation's capital.
17. Chivas USA. Deserved better than to lose at the death.
18. New England. Not much to take away from San Jose, except knowledge that Revs are punchless.
19. Montreal. Sorry, but expansion teams start at the bottom until they can prove otherwise.

Galaxy Can't Have It Both Ways

The Galaxy loaned out Robbie Keane and Landon Donovan in January and December, respectively, and supposedly it was really no big deal. At least, that's what the consensus was from the coaching staff. Keane and Donovan were key parts of the club, sure, but they were quite familiar with the players, system, tactics... etc. Their absence wouldn't be felt much and, in fact, would be a benefit because they would hit the ground running after having spent two months in England.

After their first leg in Toronto, though, the tune was a little different.

Galaxy coach Bruce Arena lamented that his team had had just two training sessions together, and on Friday said that was the first time he'd had his team full team together all year. Other players too said after the Toronto match that it was a difficult encounter in part because of the lack of familiarity the Galaxy players had with one another.

Landon Donovan, after the Toronto match: "We’ve probably had two full training sessions together and we’re a team that has probably had eight weeks’ worth of training. We have to do some figuring out on the field, when we get a chance to settle down and do  some training, I think that it will help."

AJ De La Garza: Yeah, it was our first time with the whole group, but that’s no excuse for a corner kick… and not marking in the box. You can’t use that as an excuse, but after the first 20 minutes, I thought we kind of settled in and started playing well.


Of course, De La Garza was quick to not make it an excuse but the first thing he brought up was the unfamiliarity with one another.


Did that hurt the team on Saturday? Bruce Arena blamed fatigue, not the unfamiliarity, on the 3-1 loss to Real Salt Lake. Perhaps the defensive breakdowns were indeed caused by fatigue, maybe they were caused by not having played together as a unit very much, or maybe it was a combination of both.


Whatever the case, the season has not gotten off to the start many had hoped or predicted - five goals surrendered in two games is not ideal - but the Galaxy can sort things out fairly quickly with a triumph over Toronto FC in Wednesday's return leg. Should they book a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League semifinals, this topic will be a bit moot.


But if they don't, then the short-term winter loans will be wide open for debate.

Is This Thing On?

Hey, what's up? Thanks for reading.


I'm going to give this here trusty blog thing another go. An honest one. Not that I didn't do an honest one last time, in the second go-round here on Sideline Views, but the last time real work got in the way and since I don't get paid for this, I had to make a choice.


But lately things have changed. About two weeks ago, I had three outlets I wrote for - MLSsoccer.com, The Press-Enterprise and a gambling site. They all paid about the same, so each was essentially one-third of my income. In the last two weeks, though, the gambling site dropped me (well, they didn't drop me in the traditional sense but they're out of action for the year which means so am I) and the PE's shift away from LA sports coverage has also forced me out a bit, if you will.


So I suddenly have some time on my hands.


I have no expectations for this go-round. I find that in life when I have go into something with no expectations, I actually do well but if I set myself up for expecting something by making expectations, I fail. I'm not going to get into a philosophical discussion here but I suppose what I'm saying is that I'm not trying to build something grandiose. It may be, probably won't be, but I don't know. I'm just going to re-discover my blogging voice and provide some opinion and insight for you, loyal reader.


I don't want to let you down, so I debated doing this for awhile since I know that if I do this, I've got to do it right. Otherwise I'll just come across as some giant douche.


Oh yeah, one more thing. Lest I forget, Andrea. I'm not going to say too much about her but I will say that she's lamentably not writing about soccer these days. If she had her druthers, she would be I'm sure. If she chimes in, great. If not, hopefully my prose will make up for that. It won't but I'll try.


So, on with the show.

The Sequel Suck Factor

Probably everyone has experienced the sequel suck factor - going to see the second edition of a beloved film and realizing that this new movie is so bad that inevitably, former fond and happy memories of the first edition are forever tainted. 

For me, it was the Matrix Reloaded - with a contrived, convoluted storyline, product placement action sequences, and odd, disconnected acting - that ruined The Matrix for me. I was rooting for Trinity, my fave from the first movie, to die so she'd escape the dreck that was the Reloaded film, and I felt absolutely cheated when Neo magically removed the bullet that killed her and restarted her heart. I still haven't ever seen the third film of the Matrix trilogy. The second movie was so bad, I couldn't be bothered to care about how everything eventually ended.

Sucky sequel

Sometimes the second film is actually as good, or even better, than the first. The Empire Strikes Back comes to mind. However, it's rare. Generally, the pleasant surprise element of whatever original idea the first film in a franchise had is gone, and it's not as good the second time around. 

So the link to something soccer-related is - Landon Donovan is returning to Everton on loan. 

But why? I can guess at various reasons. 

1) He likes it there. The blue side of the Mersey treated him well during his earlier loan stint and with the club struggling this season, Donovan is likely to be welcomed back with open arms. 

2) Cause Klinsy said so. USMNT coach Klinsmann has made it clear to USA players based in MLS that he would like them to train on loan during the offseason, and LD is still hoping for that USA captaincy. Ergo, he goes. 

3) Galaxy job is done. With the MLS championship secured, LD doesn't have the pressure of, 'didn't win the title, shouldn't he rest and focus on that before traipsing off for a loan stint' questions. 

4) Back on the market? Donovan has said before that he would in fact welcome a move to Europe if the offer is right. A showcase turn at Everton might encourage interest. 

5) Knee needs a workout. Donovan was probably more injury-affected this season than ever before, but much of that was kept under wraps. In fact, the exact nature and extent of his 2011 injury woes are still mysterious. It might be something which could actually benefit from game time at this point in the recovery schedule. That would be weird in terms of typical injuries, but strange things are possible.

Now that I've run down some possible reasons for LD at Everton, Part II, Try Harder, here's some reasons why all may not go as well as it did before. 

1) He's older, and Prem defenders are wiser. Donovan's lost a half-step since he was last at Everton, (that's purely my individual measurement, not any scientific fact) and in England, that half-step lost can be deadly. Look at how useless Theirry Henry became once he lost even a little speed. Also, it won't be assumed that the American is completely useless, as might have been the case a bit before. 

2) Expectations are higher. Even if Donovan replicates his earlier success with the club, that may not meet expectations. That's because rather than expecting little, Everton fans are probably looking for a lot more. 

3). The need is greater. Everton need a lifeline. They're like the American middle class right now, getting squeezed from all sides. Creative budgeting isn't doing it when the top clubs keep grabbing up the best players. Donovan wasn't looked at as a savior before, and he might be this time. 

4) Less help, more work. Everton doesn't have Arteta, the midfield maestro who Donovan meshed well with before. The club's offensive output has been paltry. Donovan can't do it alone. 

5) That wonky knee. Though he soldiered through the season and scored the goal that won the Galaxy the title, Donovan didn't have, by his standards, a great year. He's likely not as fit as he was two years ago. 

In time, we'll see how The Striker Strikes Again turns out. Donovan at Everton, The Second Time, could defy the odds and my own pessimism.

It'll Kill You

Fandom, that is. Well, that and Addison's. 

Dempsey, Donovan, Friedel Donnybrook

I sighed a little reading about the dust-up stirred up among fans when Brad Friedel made some remarks to the effect that Landon Donovan took "the easy road" by staying in Major League Soccer, as compared to Clint Dempsey, who plays in England for Fulham. 

Friedel backtracked a bit by going on to explain his comments were not meant to disparage Landon or any other MLS player. His words surely weren't complimentary, however. 

That a player who worked hard to move to England and then has worked very hard to stay there thinks it means more for another player to do the same is perfectly legitimate, though. It's simple preference. 

For people to be upset about that opinion is as pointless as the chocolate versus vanilla debate.  

Both Donovan and Dempsey are good players. Both have accomplished a lot for their respective clubs and for the USMNT. Arguments can easily be made for one or the other as the top USA player today. The winner will always come down to which qualities or achievements are valued more by the person doing the evaluation. 

Debate among fans is good, though, and for some, a rehash of old arguments is still worthwhile, given that history needs to be updated with the latest information and comparisons. 

For me, the Donovan versus Dempsey debate is far less irritating than another, more frustrating argument. 

This is the one I call the 'ghost Donovan' debate. 

This is the argument made by people who believe that if Landon Donovan had stayed at Bayer Leverkusen (either the first -circa 2000- or the second time -circa 2004-), he would have somehow taken his limited playing time and buckled down into a really inspired hard worker who would be the most amazing USA player ever, make it on to some top team like Manchester United or Barcelona, and play well enough that worldwide, there would be admiration for his talent and people would regularly say, "Americans can really play."

The 'ghost Donovan' is better than the real one at every turn. He speaks Dutch and French (stints with Ajax and Lyon) in addition to German, Spanish and English. GD's a little taller, faster, nicer, and dresses better than Donovan.  He makes souffles instead of eating In-&-Out cheeseburgers. 

Yet even with the luxury of imagining a perfect world for GD, the timeline of reality is also a powerful argument. Without the game experience learned in MLS, would Donovan have been ready for World Cup 2002? What would have changed from that point on?

The sad thing about the GD versus LD argument is that it casts a shadow on everything Donovan does accomplish. Apparently, GD would have scored even more USA goals, notched even more assists. LD can't escape the comparisons against a super-idealized, European-playing version of himself. 

I've said before that I firmly believe some of Donovan's most strident detractors are actually his biggest fans when they say he'd be so much better if he played in Europe. I've thought of him as a good player, but not one with huge reserves of untapped potential. In either MLS or abroad, he's been pretty much the same player for quite a while now. He's not going to suddenly crank up to another gear or become a total magician with the ball. What will define his legacy at this point will be his longevity - and his ability to sustain that level of play.

Some have argued that Donovan owed it to other American players to blaze a trail for them abroad, but it's possible that GD would have been considered an American anomaly, made more in Germany, etc, than really produced by the USA. Who knows? Everything about GD is pure conjecture, agonizingly abstract. 

I guess the debate that I want to see one day is one comparing two top USA players, say, Sebastian Lletget and Luis Gill. I'd like to see fans raving on about their speed and skill, their creativity and strength under pressure, citing special shots or moments as evidence of superiority, but completely bypassing as irrelevant the continent of the club teams both represent. It probably won't happen for a long while, but it's better than the tiresome GD versus LD scenario.

Injury Creates Opportunity

When Brad Guzan first joined Major League Soccer in 2005 as a part of Chivas USA, he was in his early twenties, basically just a kid, especially for a goalkeeper. But an injury to starter Martin Vasquez forced Guzan into the starters role and the adversity pushed him to excel, eventually earning a transfer abroad to England. There, he waited. 

And waited. 

Finally, his chance has come.  

Let's hope he makes the most of it.  I predict he will do well.

He remains an Englishman

I haven't had a chance to ask David Beckham of late about his future plans now that he's finally an MLS champion, but my guess is that he's leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy. 

I do think winning that title last night meant a lot to him. He's a competitive player. He wanted to win very badly. 

Yet there's something beyond club glory that has always mattered more to Becks. 

His country. 

For he himself has said it

And it's greatly to his credit,

That he is an Englishman!

Simply put, the Galaxy have always taken a backseat to Beckham's desire to serve his country. I'm not simply talking about playing for England, either, although it's pretty remarkable how far he's flown, or where he's taken loans to help make that happen. 

Whether it has been lobbying for the Olympics, the FIFA 2014 World Cup, attending the royal wedding or whatever, Becks has been pretty much at the beck and call of his homeland. It didn't matter that many in England derided his move to the Los Angeles as the ultimate sellout. Becks remained loyal to helping his country in whatever capacity possible. 

Of course, when Beckham played in Spain for Real Madrid, the club versus country conundrums were less obvious partly because Spain was an easy flight to England for any needed games.  MLS games also conflicted more often with international dates. Even for friendlies, Beckham would choose England.

For, in spite of all temptations

To belong to other nations

He remains an Englishman

Often, though, this loyalty to country was to the detriment of Beckham's MLS club. The two loan deals to AC Milan so Fabio Capello would know for certain Beckham could actually still hit a good cross cut out half of the Galaxy regular season. Plus, Beckham got injured during the crucial second loan right before the 2010 World Cup, so that time away from MLS to try to secure his spot in the England squad was all ultimately for naught. 

Other players might have sulked at home, but Becks went to the World Cup anyway, supporting England from the sidelines. Who knows if that helped, but either way, he was there. 

Ultimately, Beckham's internal compass always points to England. The prospect of playing in the Olympics could be what drives Beckham to Paris St. Germain. Of course, that's a team that would represent Great Britain, the UK as a whole, but that's close enough for Becks, especially with the Olympic games being hosted in London, his home city. 

Simply put, it's probably easier to make the Olympics from Paris, where the future UK coach could easily see that yes, Becks can still hit a cross. It's also probably better for the Galaxy not to lose Beckham for all that time in the summer, when the MLS season will be in full swing. Why should they put too much money competing against PSG for a player who wants to be away again to serve his country?

Of course Becks cares about the Galaxy. I saw that back in 2009, when he puffed desperately on his asthma inhaler to make it through the 2009 final. I saw it in his tears after the final 2011 whistle, when the championship was his at last. Yet if going to Paris helps his chances to make the Great Britain team, I'm betting he'll take that over returning to the Galaxy. 

He remains an Englishman.