LA Galaxy vs Sporting Kansas City

Dylan · May 15, 2011

Kay20 said:
That's pretty much how it looked like on TV - first half sleepy, and then whatever was said at the half, woke the Galaxy up (most likely - hello, you're a better team than this hair dryer treatment from Bruce).

Bummed it was lethargic though, and that MLS fans weren't up to snuff. Give 'em time. I do think this game was a little off after the excitement of previous matches. SKC is in the cellar, and thus - not exactly a motivating game. The Galaxy seem to have good fans.

Can you imagine what life will be like once this league gets better though? Good times ahead. Yay!

Thanks for posting - I got to live vicariously through you. Hope the kids had a good time too, and hope your Everton shirt was spotted!

I have high, high hopes for this league. In a few years it will be at a solid Championship level.

Kay20 said:
Sneaky suspicion it was tired legs from playing all 90 minutes of three games in a week (ow).

Whenever I watch him when he's on fire (7 goals in 5 games) I have a new appreciation for what he does for the league - which is usually put the team on his back and force them forward. It's amazing that he can play at this level, and then the USMNT, and then come over to the prem and succeed. I still hope he comes on loan in Jan to demonstrate his talents.

Why I'm a fan. But it's similar to why I love Howard and Stu Holden too.

From my perspective the players who seemed to really care were Landon and JPA and Gonzalez at the back. Landon showed passion, JPA played like it really meant something as soon as he came on, and Gonzalez just bossed the SKC front two. He is a big dude with some apparent speed and just out muscled them at almost every opportunity. Cool and composed on the ball too, looked to pass it out of danger rather than hoof it. Juninho showed some passion, but it came out as rash, and he was rightly subbed, he was on his way to getting a second yellow if he stayed on. Good call from Arena there.

Becks freekick was great, didn't really do much all game, but then shows the accuracy and power of his right foot.

Officials were so-so. They were there, and didn't effect the outcome with bad calls.

Kay20 · May 15, 2011

Dylan said:
I have been to Goodison many times in my past, and Even when Galaxy scored it doesn't come close to what a packed to the roof Goodison crowd *can* be like. Nothing comes close to it, not even being in an 80,000+ crowd at an NFL game.

Give it time - traditions need to develop, etc. Football and baseball have the stop and start nature to them, so it's hard to get that emotion until you get to the playoffs (and I'm a fan of both sports). Plus, there's not chants/songs, etc. Did you watch highlights of the Portland vs. Seattle game? Goodness gracious - you want to talk atmosphere, that was it. Soccer has the ability to have atmosphere the whole game through since the action is continual, and as you know, one thing Americans love is sports. USMNT support has become better and better, I just expect this league to do the same. It's fan base is the most affluent among the "common" sports in the US (aka not boat racing or tennis) - we've got money to spend to be fans. It's coming. Still years out, but as soccer gets more popular, watch out.

And I kinda don't care that people don't know what they're talking about yet - they'll learn. I'm just glad their butts were in those seats.

I'll get off my soapbox now, didn't mean to sound so preachy. I'm so happy you helped support. I really think this league (and its fans) has places to go!

Oh - and the MLS Cup will be in LA. So, if it's two great teams, you could totally go. I'm holding out hope it'll be NY vs. LA. And even the potential Western Conference final (knock on wood) should be great: RSL vs LA (although that might be played in Rio Tinto - boo!). Should be Championship Level soccer in my opinion if those three teams make it through.

Kay20 · May 15, 2011

Dylan said:
I have high, high hopes for this league. In a few years it will be at a solid Championship level.

From my perspective the players who seemed to really care were Landon and JPA and Gonzalez at the back. Landon showed passion, JPA played like it really meant something as soon as he came on, and Gonzalez just bossed the SKC front two. He is a big dude with some apparent speed and just out muscled them at almost every opportunity. Cool and composed on the ball too, looked to pass it out of danger rather than hoof it. Juninho showed some passion, but it came out as rash, and he was rightly subbed, he was on his way to getting a second yellow if he stayed on. Good call from Arena there.

I can't figure out how to do the darn multi-quote thingy so here I am again.

Again, I'm glad your hopes were supported.

And on the players - good to see LD acting as Captain as he should. His form is still good enough for Europe - so a loan is still a possibility imo.

Omar is a USMNT contender as I'm sure you know, and it shows (glad to see you saw it too). He has been called into camp, and the question for him is whether or not he will be a starter or a bench player. And whether Europe comes calling in the next two years. He's good enough, and he's starting to top out in this league imo. He needs to up his game, and Europe is it.

JPA's experience shows - and his lack of goals were wearing on everyone - that's why he was so energetic. Now that he's scored I hope the waterfall comes pouring through.

And Juninho is a loan player from Brazil if you can believe it. LA should be purchasing him outright. He has gotten weirdly physical this year, but the kid has talent.

Love that you picked out basically our players that tend to be better than the rest in one game. Sean Franklin also typically plays well though.

I love footy.

Hilga · May 15, 2011

Dylan said:
As for MLS fans having no idea, I meant, from the other fans around me saying some ridiculously absurd comments about plays, calls and whatnot. "Thats a red card, RED CARD" when the SKC player clearly took the ball etc etc. Just frustrated me a little.

Yeah that kind of stuff NEVER happens in england.