New England Revolution

So, if you’re Alexi Lalas and you are desperately trying to save your job, what do you do now? Your team just lost to the lowly Reds, and they didn’t just lose, they gave up three goals to MLS’s most anemic offense. (sans SJE, who are so bad, if you’ve noticed, they are the only team without its own category @ STO!)

I’ll tell you what I would do. I would throw guys like Michael Gavin, Brandon McDonald and Julian Valentin into the starting lineup for golden oldies like Chris Klein, Abel Xavier and Greg Vanney. Sure, they lack the veterans’ experience, but experience doesn’t help if you have lost the physical stamina to prevent deplorable TFC offense from scoring a trio of ugly goals. I’ll say this for the youngsters: they won’t lose because of lack of desire. And they won’t tire as quickly.

Lalas’ method differs from mine though. He likes the old guys. I think he has some sort of geriatric fetish. If he thought Marcelo Balboa still had anything left in the tank, MB would be hanging with Becks @ the HDC right now.

So, it should come as no surprise that Lalas yesterday demoted youngster Michael Gavin to the developmental squad to make room for a new acquisition from NER… No, not Sharlie Joseph, Taylor Twellman, Michael Parkhurst or one of those scary fast Gambians… but Joe Franchino.

Wha?

Now, Franchino, who is about to turn 32, has never really been a contributor on offense. In over 225 MLS games, Joey has scored only 5 times. That’s an average of one goal every 45 appearances. He played some sturdy defense back at the turn of the millenium, but then again, so did Lalas.

Why, when your offense is already being dragged down by a 35 year old (Xavier) and a 33 year old (Vanney), would you go out and give up a second round pick to bring in a 32 year old to complete your backline? If the Gals make the playoffs, their defense will be a cumulative 102 years old. And that’s if they play a 3-5-2… The Revs starters in the back would likely be younger even if they opted to use 4 guys.

Here’s what I know about Joey (it’s not alot):

1. He once got his ass kicked by Clint Dempsey,
2. He’s rumored to be a drunk or former drunk.

Only one of those is funny, and it’s not the one that involves a debilitating addiction.

There’s nothing funny at all actually about alcoholism. It’s actually quite scary. What is also scary is that Lalas would give up a high pick for a guy who left his team only one year ago to attend to “personal matters”. If those matters weren’t resolved, and if Franchino succumbs to whatever demons he’s fighting off like a raging Clint Dempsey, Lalas will have dealt a second round pick to the Revs for basically nothing.

Alexi, in all seriousness, I do not exist simply to criticize your every waking decision, but sometimes I feel like I end up playing that role because you just can’t stop trying to turn the Galaxy locker room into some kind of retirement home for aged MLS defenders. I know you played with all these guys, but shouldn’t that fact alone tell you something about their age and fitness?

I had a basket of Cod and chips for lunch, yesterday, at GB's Fish & Chips.  That is unremarkable.

What is remarkable is that GB's is a soccer place. As evidenced by the team jerseys pinned to the walls and ceiling. As well as the three screens that all had soccer on.  We had our choice between the Eredivisie and the Bundesliga. 

Ten years ago, Rapids' fans were lucky to get a corner television in a sports bar to turn the game on, with the sound off

Ten years on we have multiple locations to see a game. Two locations, GB's and the British Bulldog, are dedicated to the sport.  Both publish a list of up-coming games for fans to plan ahead.

I am just happy that we still have a team in Colorado to support.  I am tickled that I have a choice of cozy joints that have embraced the team, and provide good atmosphere for away games.

The Cod was quite good as well. 

Our Rapids are headed to New England tomorrow and will face the New England Revolution.  The Revs have put in three wildly differing performances.  Beating the MLS champion Houston Dynamo in the opener, stinking up Chicago for their encore, and then just Wednesday night thumping Kansas City.

Fans may want to read too much into the Rapids loss to Kansas City followed by the Revs win.  Kansas City has started the season very strong.  The Rapids gave them a battle though, claiming the majority of chances, and fighting back from going down 2-0. 

The errors that lead to the loss are easily correctable.  Stephen Keel in particular will have learned not to let his man go on set pieces.  He will also seldom be matched against a player as good as Jimmy Conrad was on that night.

Fernando Clavijo must like his chances against the Revolution.  Teams, like the Revs, that have played a game on Wednesday followed by one on Saturday have struggled from the congestion.  The Revs appear to have adjusted to life without Ralston or Twellman, but the loss of those players will leave a few holes.  It is up to Clavijo's boys to find them. 

One player that should find the holes is Christian Gomez.  Christian did not have a great game in Kansas City.  The size of the field, and the congestion it caused left little room for his magic touch.  He should not have the same issue in New England.  With DiRaimondo and LaBrocca occupying the Revs midfield Gomez will have plenty of opportunities to slice apart the New England three man back line.

Will Clavijo continue to play DiRaimondo and LaBrocca?  It is anyone's guess.  Both did quite well against Kansas City.  The final goal of the game left me with questions about Mastroeni's fitness as he seemed to give up on the play that lead to the goal.  

Depth may be a good problem to have, but it does produce unfortunate results.  This week it was not a good problem for Dan Gargan. Dan became the victim of the Rapids desire to sign Tam McManus.  No one can argue that the Rapids are not deep on the back line, nor that they do not need a goal scorer.  

Rapids fans will wish Dan well as he gave his all for the team.  I expect we will see him turn up again at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, but next time as an opponent. 

Rapids fans will hope that Tam can justify the waiving of Dan.  Back in the days of the corner television without sound, the signing of any player with foreign league experience was cause for irrational exuberance. These days Tam will have earn his cheers.  He will have to fight for time in the lineup against solid players who have only the Rapids as a line on their resume.   That is, as it should be.  The game has come a long ways.

Enjoy it.  And, try the fish and chips, they're good.

Houston Dynamo

Key Acquisition(s): Bobby Boswell

Key Loss(es): Nate Jaqua(SCR Altach), Joseph Ngwenya

The champions return this season weaker than the year before, they still have plenty of skill up front as there talisman Dwayne De Rosiaro is returning for another MLS season. Where this team is really going to depend for goals however is Brian Ching, the forward had a miserable year, last year sailing sitters over the bar with the greatest of ease. That's going to have to change because they have no depth at the position that I can see other than Kyle Brown expect a 4-5-1 from Dominic Kinnear this year.

Prediction:  Playoffs, 5th overall

Chivas USA 

Key Acquisition(s): Alecko Eskandarian, Raphael Wicky

Key Loss(es) Preston Burpo

The Western Conference Champions say this is the year and i believe them the only potential holes are CB if Claudio Suarez's 40th birthday signals his downfall. With the best firepower in MLS I've ever seen with the likes of Eskandarian, Kljestan, Razov,and Galindo. Chivas look heavy favorites for this year add Brad Guzan to the mix and you have a near lock on the MLS crown.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Key Acquisition(s): Carlos Ruiz, Greg Vanney, Josh Wicks, Alvaro Pires

Key Loss(es): Chris Albright, Joe Cannon, Gavin Glinton, Kyle Martino, Ty Harden, Clint Mathis, Cobi Jones

Look at all those departures, four MLS All-Stars out; one in. This team, I just don't know what their thinking, the deck is stacked in their favor even with all those departure i estimate there salary is over three million dollars, not counting David. And they still suck, that back-line is dreadful, Xavier is old, Troy Roberts is a right back, Chris Klein is a Right mid, they switched to left back for christ sakes, they will score. I'll give them that Donavon will net eleven or twelve Ruiz will close on fifteen, and Becks, if he stays healthy will have twenty-plus assists. Don't expect wins from this team, unless you believe in miracles, but i do expect some fun games for television. 

Perdiction: sub .500 record, no playoffs, tenth overall. Watch for a possible Becks back to England deal in July, West Ham United is my guess.



New England Revolution

Key Acquisition(s): Chris Albright, Argenis Fernandez, Mauricio Castro

Key Loss(es): Andy Dorman, Avery John, Pat Noonan

The Venerable side has yet to win the MLS Cup, but last season they did win the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and have the nucleus back from last year. Expect Wells Thompson, too break out this year, and don't think this is the best Michael Parkhurst has to offer, i think the Premiership may be in his future.

Prediction: Playoffs, deep US Open Cup Run, MLS Runners-up, 3rd overall.

D.C United 

Key Acquisition(s): Gonzalo Martinez, Marcello Gallardo(PSG), Jose Carvallo

Key Loss(es): Troy Perkins, Bryan Arguez
 

D.C United are better this year Gallardo was a huge capture, and will take a little of the service pressure off of Fred, and Ben Olsen this year, no real big losses and a year of seasoning under Tom Soehn's belt will make this team, one to watch.

Prediction: Playoffs, US Open Cup Winners, 2nd Overall, MLS Semi Final Losers.