Galaxy’s Home Is on the Road
He was only kidding, but it made so much sense.
In explaining the Galaxy’s less-than-full throttle approach to the beginning of the season -- the club opened the 2002 Major League Soccer season with six consecutive overtime matches and already has played three to begin the current campaign -- Coach Sigi Schmid drew comparisons to another of the city’s reigning professional champions.
“We’re just following the Lakers and Phil Jackson’s route,” Schmid said with a grin. “We don’t want to give away too much too early, you know? [Alexi] Lalas is our version of Shaq, he has to round into shape.”
But while the Lake Show is flirting with postseason disaster, the Galaxy’s show has been on the road since the start of the season. Construction of the club’s 27,000-seat stadium at the Home Depot National Training Center has forced the defending MLS Cup champion to open the season with a league-record eight-game trip.
And after tonight’s game at Western Conference rival San Jose, the Galaxy will be halfway home.
“The new stadium is going to be unbelievable ... and for [ownership] to provide us with that, eight games on the road is pretty minimal,” goalkeeper Kevin Hartman said.
The Galaxy has tied its first three games.
“The main thing we’re encouraged about is that last week was our best game,” Schmid said of the Galaxy’s 1-1 tie at New York/New Jersey, a match in which the Galaxy created quality chances. “Now that they’re feeling better about their game, I think they’ll be more prone to push for that victory at the end of games.”
Beckerman Ready
One beneficiary of French midfielder Gilles Grimandi’s decision to leave the Colorado Rapids before the season has been Kyle Beckerman, a 21-year-old midfielder who will make his first start today against D.C. United.
Beckerman, who started five games last season, figures to get an extended chance to prove the position should be his.
Grimandi, a former player for Arsenal, had joined the Rapids in January but left last month to tend to family issues. He is not expected to return.
“I’ve been waiting around for a while, waiting to get that spot, playing games in the off-season with the under-23 team, and I’m definitely ready,” Beckerman, who has been in the U.S. national team program since 1997, told the Denver Post.
Hernandez Speaks
Count New England midfielder Daniel Hernandez among those who isn’t a fan of Revolution Coach Steve Nicol’s long-ball style.
Hernandez, a former Galaxy player, was pulled from the lineup at halftime of a 2-1 loss to Columbus because of strained ligaments in his left ankle. He says the strategy of defenders kicking over the top makes the midfield irrelevant.
“Everyone was kicking the ball with their eyes shut,” Hernandez told the Boston Globe about the Columbus game. “This style of play is not my style of play. We are bypassing the midfielders. We are being told to do it. And if [midfielders] can’t get the ball, we can’t control the game. We can’t control the pace of the game.”
Brazilian Cuts
Rivaldo and Cafu have joined a growing list of World Cup veterans who will miss Brazil’s exhibition game with Mexico on Wednesday in Guadalajara, the Brazilian Confederation announced.
Rivaldo injured his right thigh in practice Friday for his club, AC Milan, the confederation said. Cafu suffered a leg injury.
Brazil Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira summoned 19-year-old striker Robinho to replace Rivaldo. It’s the first opportunity on the national team for Robinho, who joins 18-year-old midfielder Diego on the team.
On Thursday, the confederation cut Palmeiras goalie Marcos from the squad, a day after he suffered a 7-2 loss to Vitoria in the Brazil Cup.
Quick Passes
Wilmer Neal and Jose Ramirez scored to lead Honduras to a 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Fort de France, Martinique, to end Trinidad’s hopes of qualifying for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.... Forward Cuauhtemoc Blanco was suspended for two games by the Mexican Soccer Federation for making obscene gestures at fans last week and will miss two league games for his club, America.... Forward Edson Buddle probably will sit out Columbus’ game against New York/New Jersey because of a strained hip. Jeff Cunningham will make his first start as Buddle’s replacement.... Among those named to Jamaica’s national team for a Wednesday friendly against South Africa at Cape Town is Galaxy defender Tyrone Marshall.... Arsenal defender Sol Campbell will miss his team’s last three English Premier League games and the FA Cup final after losing his appeal on his red card against Manchester United for elbowing Ole Gunnar Soljskaer.... Carlos Bilardo, Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach in 1986, was named coach of Estudiantes in Argentina’s first division.
