31 October 2007

Playoff Scenarios: How the Galaxy Can Still Do It

Playoff Scenarios: How the Galaxy Can Still Do It

To at least partially make up for my major screw-up in telling the world we were out when we’re not, here’s a quick recap of the playoff run and how and why we can still make it. (In my defense, I spent the entire afternoon at Urgent Care with a son and his sprained ankle, so cut me a little slack, okay?)

Okay, first off, tiebreaks. If two or more teams tie, the first tiebreak is head-to-head record. If they’re still tied, it’s goal differential.

Before this weekend, there were four teams still in contention for two spots: KC (37 points), Chicago (37 points), Colorado (35 points), and LA (34 points.) Columbus ended the season with 37 points after today’s (Saturday’s) win, but their season record left them out of contention before this weekend based on tiebreaks.

So as things stand at this moment:

KC beat Dallas and is now definitely in with 40 points.

Colorado lost to RSL (thanks, Robbie Findley!!) and is definitely out with 35 points.

That leaves one playoff spot for either LA (34) or Chicago (37). If Chicago wins, they have 40 points and the Galaxy have 34. Chicago is in. If LA and Chicago tie, it’s Chicago 38 and LA 35. Chicago is in.

BUT if LA wins, Chicago and LA both have 37, and LA gets in on tiebreaks due to a better head-to-head record because we beat Chicago last time we met. (On July 4. Remember that game where all the cynics said Kyle Martino was a diver? Well, thank you Kyle.)

Make sense?

The Future of the LA Galaxy Offside


A couple of weeks ago, reader CentralCoaster asked me this:
“Are you gonna ditch us once the Sounders join MLS?”

Fair question. If any of you have been around since the LA Galaxy Offside started up last January, you’ll remember that this blog began as an experiment: Could my French-football-loving self learn to love and support MLS? And since my hometown (Seattle) didn’t have a team, I picked the Galaxy as the object of my affections, largely because I think they’re physically closest. (Although I would be lying if I said the intrigue surrounding the Beckham signing didn’t have something to do with it.)

And now, although we’re still awaiting the official announcement, it looks like Seattle is going to be one of the next expansion cities. Probably in 2009, but possibly as early as 2008. So what does this do to my newfound Galaxy love?

First thing. Yes, I will absolutely be supporting any Seattle MLS team that might appear. I’ll be buying season tickets as soon as they become available. (In the cheap seats, where all the cool people hang out.)

But about the Galaxy. Something funny happens when you write about a team several times a day for nearly ten months. Your emotions get activated. Or at least mine have. And I just can’t imagine it ending here. I want to know the next chapter of the story! Will Beckham regain his fitness? Will Landon hang around? Will Frank hold onto his job? Will our minimum wagers get raises or get traded? And will they pull everything together to reach their potential next year?

The season’s over, but the story isn’t.

(Oh, and plus? I think I write better when I don’t run the risk of running into the object of my latest groin-related post at the corner 7-11.)

And so… Well, there are some great soccer-loving writers in Seattle, and I’m absolutely certain that one of them will start and run a fantastic Sounders Offside. Or whatever they end up calling it.

Galaxy fans, I believe you’re stuck with me. And I may post less frequently in the off-season, but I don’t plan to go into total hibernation. So be sure to stop by and say hi, even if there’s nothing going on.

And thanks for stopping by.

What’s the News on Those Galaxy “Cliques”?

What’s the News on Those Galaxy “Cliques”?

I read a particularly interesting two paragraphs in a Billy Witz LA Daily News article from a few days ago about a team meeting that took place right after the end of the season.

Team chemistry was also a subject that was addressed.

Cliques developed within the team - mostly along the lines of age - and some felt as if it affected the team’s play, especially when so many new faces were thrown into the lineup.

What do you think is up with this? My assumption is that some of the guys, particularly the guys Alexi brought in to become Beckham’s team, were none too thrilled with Frank’s decision to continue playing the younger players during the winning streak.

What do you think about this choice? I was kind of shocked when Able Xavier didn’t get his spot in the lineup back after finally getting healthy. Same for Kevin Harmse, who I always found to be a tough, scrappy, interesting player. And also that Ty Harden didn’t get his starting spot back. (Was he healthy enough to start? Anybody know?) And Kelly Gray wasn’t even on the bench for the last game, was he? Did he get reinjured, or was it just that others were more important?

What do you think about Yallop’s decisions on starters and bench players, and how do you think it will affect next year?

(And be sure to read the Billy Witz article, which is very interesting and mostly about whether Yallop will keep his job.)

The Galaxy Foundation


Please read below to learn more about our educational, recreational and health activities and programs for youth in the Southern California area.

Each year, sponsors and fans are able to participate in a variety of fundraisers. With their support, the Galaxy Foundation's progams and activities are funded. Here are several ways that you can get involved and support the Galaxy Foundation:


Direct Contribution:

Galaxy fans may make a contribution to the Galaxy Foundation in support of its mission and activities. All donors will be listed on the Galaxy Foundation Donor Recognition page of the Galaxy website.
Download a Donor form >


Name In Lights Messages:

Wish that special someone, "Happy Birthday," "Happy Anniversary" or "Welcome" in a special way...let them see their "Name in Lights." For a $50 contribution to the Galaxy Foundation, the LA Galaxy will display your message on the DiamondVision at The Home Depot Center.
Download a Name in Lights form >


Championship Raffle

Here is your opportunity to win an authentic Los Angeles Galaxy 2005 Championship Players' Ring or a Cobi Jones Championship Ring Panel! Buy a Championship Raffle Ticket and you will be entered into a drawing for the chance to win one of these prizes
More >


Game Day and Online Auctions:

Throughout the season, at the Galaxy Foundation booth and on-line via the Galaxy website, fans will have the opportunity to bid on autographed sports memorabilia. All proceeds will benefit the Galaxy Foundation.


Other Links:


The Community

The Community

The Los Angeles Galaxy and Galaxy Foundation are dedicated to giving back to the community. Through the support of various programs and activities, we will continue to positively affect the lives of the youth in our community.

Through the involvement of our players, coaching and front office staffs, the Los Angeles Galaxy and Galaxy Foundation will remain responsible community and corporate partners.

Community Development

Programs

Get a Kick Out of Reading!/¡Lee Y Marca Un Golazo!

The L.A. Galaxy & NEA want to encourage
children to Get a Kick out of Reading »

Los Angeles Galaxy Foundation

Programs

Kicks for Kids

With the support of our Community Partners, Galaxy tickets are donated to non-profit organizations benefiting disadvantaged youth.

Fundraisers

Events

Radio Info

Radio Info

Radio Info

CASH 1700AM

CASH 1700AM is the Southland's full service financial station. It features some of the biggest names in financial talk radio, led by Ray Lucia and Bill Holland, two of Southern California's financial talkers.

Also heard on CASH 1700 is Market Wrap with Moe Ansari and Jim Cramer's Real Money. CASH 1700's news and information is backed by one of the most trusted names in the business, CNN Headline News.

CASH 1700 took to the airwaves in August 2005 as a brand new signal and has quickly taken shape in just its first year of existence. It's signal strength of 10,000 watts day and night allows it to blanket most of the southland and reach as far east as the California/Arizona border. In 2006, it proudly becomes the new play-by-play home of the 2005 MLS Cup and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy.


Joe Tutino: Play-by-Play


The 2006 campaign will mark the ninth for Joe Tutino as the English radio voice of the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 36-year old will once again tap in to the knowledge that comes with a nearly 17-year career in sports talk radio, one in which he has provided coverage of every major sport in the United States, all the while showcasing his creativity and vast knowledge to the audience.

In addition to Galaxy games, Tutino has also called matches for Fox Sports World and the San Diego Flash of the A-League. In 1999, Tutino and broadcast partner Rick Davis made history as they broadcast that year's All-Star Game over the Armed Forces Radio Network, a first for the league. Additionally, he has served as the public address announcer for U.S. national team games at Qualcomm Stadium and filled that same capacity for the inaugural game in Galaxy history on April 13, 1996 vs. MetroStars at the Rose Bowl.

Tutino has also built two all sports radio stations (XTRA Sports 690, the first all sports station on the west coast and the Mighty 1090). In 2005, Tutino took on a new challenge becoming the Program Director of CASH 1700, the new home of the Galaxy. In 2006, Tutino launched his very own company, Pioneer Broadcasting, which will be taking over the responsibilities of ten Galaxy matches this season and was named as one a handful of American broadcasters to announce the 2006 FIFA World Cup on radio. Tutino's voice can also be heard on Fox Soccer Channel, announcing the Italian Serie A.

A native of San Diego, Calif., Tutino has a degree in communications from Columbia School of Broadcasting in Los Angeles. He resides in his hometown of San Diego.


AM 830

AM 830 KLAA's Talk and Sports 24-hour programming line-up includes El Show de Juancarlos, En El Medio con Antonio Gonzalez, Deportes a Fondo con John Laguna, Deportes Para Ti...Solo en Los Angeles con Valeria Chui y Ernesto Rubi, Ultimo Marcador con Mario Valadez, Los Desvelados con Victor Camacho and play-by-play of Angels Baseball and LA Galaxy. AM 830 KLAA is also the exclusive Los Angeles affiliate of CNN en Español RADIO. AM 830 KMXE boasts the largest Hispanic AM radio signal in the U.S.

Francisco X. Rivera


Francisco X. Rivera is the lead play-by-play announcer and on-air talent for DirecTV Latin America on the English Premier League and Spain's La Liga broadcasts.

In 2006, he served as a Major League Baseball play-by-play announcer and color commentator for FOX Sports en Español. He was also the field reporter during the network's coverage of the World Series.

In the same year, he hosted "Vamos Dodgers", the team's first Spanish-language TV show on KJLA-57. He is also a columnist on LosDodgers.com, the team's Spanish full-service website.

During his tenure with FOX and the Dodgers, Francisco became the youngest broadcaster in American television at the time.

Previously, he has also covered the NBA, MLS, Boxing and international Soccer tournaments such as Interliga and Copa Sudamericana for various television and print media in Los Angeles.

Francisco has a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from California State University-Long Beach.

José "Pepe" Mantilla

A veteran commentator, analyst and play-by-play man, Jose "Pepe" Mantilla is in his first season with the Galaxy. A graduate of UNAM in Mexico City, Mantilla is known throughout the Southland through his role as a commentator for the Los Angeles Lakers since 1993. In addition to his work with the Lakers, he has also served as a commentator for a series of soccer games, NFL games and other events for Fox Sports, while also serving the network as a play-by-play man for MLB broadcasts.

Mantilla is one of the regions foremost experts on the sport of soccer. He covered the 1986 and 1990 World Cups as a reporter before covering a pair of World Cups here in the United States, in 1994 World Cup and the 1999 Women's World Cup, as well as Major League Soccer for Univision Channel 34. In 2002, Mantilla provided the play-by-play for a number of games at the FIFA World Cup in Japan/Korea for DirecTV, a role that he has also performed at various other events, including FIFA Youth World Cups.

Last year, during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Mantilla was a commentator for English-language radio station 570 AM while also serving as a commentator in various sports programs in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.

TV Info

TV Info

TV Info

FSN WEST

The Los Angeles Galaxy returns to FSN West with a 20-game telecast schedule in 2005. FSN West telecasts Galaxy games from 1996-2001. As the home of the most Galaxy coverage on television, the regional sports networks also provides soccer fans with nightly Galaxy news on the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPORTS REPORT.

FSN West's nightly SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPORTS REPORT at 10 PM gives Southern California sports fans regional sports news, up-to-the-minute scores, highlights and interviews with a local perspective. The half-hour show provides more Galaxy highlights, features and in-depth interviews than any other show on television.

FSN West celebrates its 20th anniversary as a regional sports network in October 2005. The regional sports network was nominated for 15 Los Angeles Emmy Awards this past year, the second most nominations in the market.

In addition to the Los Angeles Galaxy, FSN West's local programming menu features the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Chivas USA, AVP, DiG, THE LEXUS GAUNTLET, TOTALLY BASKETBALL and much more. FSN's national programming includes Pac-10 and Big 12 football, Pac-10 and ACC basketball, nightly NASCAR coverage, AVP volleyball, ATP tennis and SUNDAY NIGHT FIGHTS. Also shown nationally are the BEST DAMN SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, THE SPORTS LIST and BEYOND THE GLORY.

FSN West is one of the nation's premier sports networks providing 24-hour sports programming to more than 5.8 million and 4.8 million subscribers, respectively, in Southern California, Nevada and Hawaii. For complete national and regional sports news, provocative opinions, telecast schedules and updated statistics, log-on to www.foxsports.com.

KWHY-TV CHANNEL 22

KWHY Channel 22 kicks off its first full season as Spanish language television home of the Galaxy in 2004 after partnering with the team on a handful of key initiatives during the 2003 season. KWHY will broadcast five Galaxy matches during the 2004 Major League Soccer season and will continue to air its weekly half-hour show focused on the team, Galaxy Deportivo.

KWHY will once again be turning to the familiar faces of Jaime Motta and Elmer Polanco behind the microphone for both the weekly Galaxy Deportivo show and the match broadcasts. The duo should be familiar to the Galaxy's Hispanic fans, as both have done extensive work covering the Galaxy for various media outlets in the Los Angeles market, including serving as the voices and faces for all Galaxy broadcasts on the station a year ago.

After airing two Galaxy regular season games and one playoff game in 2003, KWHY will provide Hispanic soccer fans in the Southland with more extensive coverage of their hometown team in 2004. Five Galaxy regular season matches during the 2004 campaign will air on the station and a re-vamped Galaxy Deportivo will be broadcast weekly Saturdays at 3:00 p.m.

KWHY-TV, who signal blankets most of Southern California, is owned and operated by Telemundo, the fastest growing U.S. Spanish-language television network. Telemundo reaches 90% of U.S. Hispanic viewers through its 11 owned and operated stations and more than 50 broadcast affiliates. Telemundo is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of NBC, the nation's leading broadcast network.

Elmer Polanco - Play-by-Play
Elmer Polanco is in his second year as the Galaxy's Spanish television voice and one of the two hosts of the weekly show Galaxy Deportivo.

Polanco began his broadcasting career in 1989 in his hometown of Santa Ana, El Salvador at the age of 23. In 1994, he left his radio career behind and moved to television, earning a place with Canal 4 (a National network), as the play-by-play voice of for all their domestic and international soccer game broadcasts. Finally, in 2001, Polanco decided to leave his homeland for a shot in the United States. He immediately found work with KBLA, before quickly moving to KVEA Telemundo 52 as a host of much of its sports programming. Since the latter stages of 2002, Polanco has also worked for KTNQ 1020 AM as part of their evening talk show Hablando de Deportes.

Jaime Motta - Color Analyst
Jaime Motta is in his second year as an analyst for Los Angeles Galaxy games on KWHY - Channel 22 and a co-host of Galaxy Deportivo, the station's weekly show dedicated solely to the Galaxy.

In addition to his duties with the Galaxy broadcasts, Motta is currently the Los Angeles and West Coast correspondent for GolTV. Motta began his professional career in 1990 as a sports producer for San Francisco Univision affiliate KDTV. He also worked as a general assignment reporter and as sports anchor and reporter for KDTV. In 1996, Motta moved to Los Angeles to become weekend sports anchor-reporter for Univision's KMEX-34. He also worked as a freelance reporter for the new-defunct Panamerican Sports Network (PSN) for whom he covered a vast array of events, including FIFA World Cup qualifiers, several championship boxing matches as well as the World Series and NBA Finals. He's currently one the most recognized sports personalities in Los Angeles. Born in Guatemala in 1966, Motta graduated from the University of Miami in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Psychology.

Motta currently lives with his wife and children in Santa Clarita, California.

General Info

General Info

Team Physician: Dr. Ronald Kvitne
Medical Staff: Health South
Official Training Center: The Home Depot Center
Public Address Announcer: Michael Araujo
Team Photographer: Essy Ghavameddini
Gameday Statisticians: Scott Tamashiro, Sam Nishi, Lisa MacDonald
Stadium: The Home Depot Center
Capacity: 27,000
Field Dimensions: 75 yds. x 120 yds.
Playing Surface: Grass
Team Colors: Gold, Forest Green and Black
Galaxy English Television: FSN West
English Announcers: Max Bretos, Alan Hopkins
Galaxy Spanish Television: KWHY Ch. 22
Spanish Announcer: Elmer Polanco
Galaxy English Radio: CASH 1700AM
English Announcers: Joe Tutino
Galaxy Spanish Radio: 830AM
Spanish Announcers: John Laguna
Team Hotel: Hilton Torrance/South Bay
Tel: (310) 540-0500
Fax: (310) 540-2065

LOS ANGELES GALAXY PRACTICE FACILITY

The Home Depot Center
18400 Avalon Blvd.
Carson, CA 90746
Phone: 310-630-2000
GALAXY EVENTS

GALAXY EVENTS

Welcome to the L.A. Galaxy events section. Here you can find information about the latest and greatest tournaments, camps, clinics and lectures the Galaxy have to offer.

The Galaxy are known for bringing great tournaments to the Southern California area, including the Galaxy Clasico and Copa L.A. In addition, we allow you, the Galaxy fan, to have fun and learn to play your best utilizing the "Galaxy way" through Galaxy summer and holiday soccer camps and of the course the ever so popular Galaxy adult and youth fantasy camps.

Galaxy Camps and clinics feature Galaxy alumni, current players such as Landon Donovan and Cobi Jones, the Galaxy professional coaching staff and a specialized group of select Galaxy coaches that will teach you the technical skills and drills straight from the Galaxy's text book of training.

30 October 2007

Galaxy search for stability 2008

Galaxy search for stability 2008

With diappointing 2007, L.A. needs to add pieces in 2008


David Beckham and the Galaxy will look to add key pieces in the offseason.
David Beckham and the Galaxy will look to add key pieces in the offseason. (Alegria/MLS/WireImage.com)

CARSON, Calif. -- The 2007 version of the Los Angeles Galaxy was one of the most anticipated teams in Major League Soccer. However, what was already going to be difficult enough conclusion to the season was torpedoed almost before it began.

Club president and general manager Alexi Lalas has repeatedly referred to the Galaxy as the "jewel of MLS." And there was no question what the crown jewel would be this season. Yet by the time that gem arrived, the setting had all but tarnished.

The Galaxy stumbled out of the gate to start the season, and before they had a chance to figure out how to fix the problem, players began leaving the team for international duty or started going down with injury.

The Galaxy were at relative full strength to start the season, but didn't pick up their second win of the season until June 17. By that time, players like Landon Donovan, Ante Jazic and Kevin Harmse had left to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Starting right fullback Chris Albright had already gone down with what turned out to be a season-ending injury and a sense of foreboding seemed to creep into the Galaxy front office.

Players like Nate Jaqua, Nathan Sturgis, Robbie Findley, Tyrone Marshall and Santino Quaranta were all traded away to try and fix a faltering Galaxy team. For a team trying to find consistency, a complete chemistry makeover halfway through the season was an even further setback.

Just as the team was trying to get to know each other, David Beckham arrived to shine an enormous spotlight on the team. Under intense scrutiny, the Galaxy found themselves involved in two international tournaments that further fatigued an already tired team.

Through the All-Star break and beyond, Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop was never able to use the same lineup for two consecutive games. At one point, Yallop only had three healthy outfield players available as subs beyond the 10 that started the game. Couple mounting injuries and lack of team chemistry with the fact that the Galaxy's schedule had been heavily backloaded in order to fully market Beckham to the entire league, and it spelled a recipe for disaster.

Fast-forward then to Sept. 23. With just four weeks to go in the regular season, the Galaxy were sitting on just four wins. It was on that day that the Galaxy began their improbable run that put them in contention for a playoff spot that lasted all the way up until the final day of the season.

That run showed that the Galaxy could gut out wins with a consistent lineup at Yallop's disposal. That run was also made without the likes of Albright, Beckham, Kelly Gray and Abel Xavier, all of whom would have started every game if they had been healthy. Pepper in a smattering of injuries to other key contributors during that run, and it was nothing short of amazing that the Galaxy were even still alive in the postseason chase come the final week of the season. Still, the Galaxy fell just short of the playoffs for the second consecutive year.

Despite that impressive run, and taking into consideration the number of injuries and international call-ups the Galaxy endured over the season, changes will need to be made if Los Angeles is to return to the playoffs, a place they had never missed visiting before 2006. Yallop has shown that given the tools, he can coach teams to championships in MLS.

First and foremost, the Galaxy need someone other that Landon Donovan to provide consistent offense. Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon, Carlos Pavon and Gavin Glinton combined for just 15 goals. One or more of those players will likely move on, especially with the Galaxy looking to clear some salary cap space when Beckham's full designated player salary counts against the cap.

When healthy, the Galaxy have a pretty solid back four. Chris Albright, Abel Xavier, Ante Jazic and Mike Randolph could start for a lot of teams around the league. The experience that rookie Ty Harden picked up after being forced into duty because of injuries, along with Troy Roberts, gives the Galaxy some capable cover as well.

The retirement of Cobi Jones and the perennial injury problems of young Quavas Kirk mean the Galaxy will need to add some depth on the wings. Chris Klein will be able to move into the midfield once Albright returns to the fold, and a healthy Kyle Martino can man the left side, but after that there is little depth. The Galaxy could look to offload one of their four defensive central midfielders in search of a bit more speed.

Even if the Galaxy manage to upgrade and add depth this offseason, it will mean very little if it again takes them two months to pick up two wins. A lot of attention can be focused on how the Galaxy's schedule did them no favors, especially considering the number of injuries they were dealing with. But an extremely slow start to the season when they were still relatively healthy dug them a hole from which they couldn't climb escape for a second consecutive year.

Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.