View From the Booth: Looking For A Complete 90

Mark Rogondino

I would be lying to you if I said that I was happy with the LA Galaxy’s performance against Toronto FC this past week. A team with this type of talent should be able to close out a match when it scores what appears to be the game-winning goal in stoppage time.

Bruce Arena tried to calm the rumble from the Galaxy faithful by stating “we aren’t hitting the panic button just yet.”

Yes, this squad is unbeaten in eight games but there is no question the Galaxy should have more than 31 points heading into the second half of the year. Plus, one can’t help but wonder what will happen in a critical situation, maybe even a playoff match, when a lapse in focus or technical breakdown will cost the club.

I stated it right here a few weeks ago, I believe this team has learned from some of the mistakes early on in the campaign. Maybe I spoke to soon.

Having gotten that off my chest, you couldn’t ask for a better scenario to unfold following a couple of mediocre performances. It seems the Colorado Rapids have found some good form with a run of nine-straight without a loss heading into Saturday night’s game at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. So many times in the past when the Galaxy and Rapids played during the MLS regular season it was Colorado’s opportunity to show its mettle against the best of the league. This time around, the shoe is on the other foot.

The Rapids were the last team standing this past November, capturing their first-ever MLS Cup. If the Galaxy can go to Denver and knock off the Rapids, it will be a major statement to the rest of the Western Conference. LA has had limited success in Denver in the past during regular season play, and coaches always point to the home field advantage for the Rapids due to the altitude.

The Rapids’ recent run of success happens to coincide with Colorado getting some players back to health. Both Omar Cummings and Conor Casey picked up injuries early in May, and both are not completely back to health but are back and available for Gary Smith to select into the 18. During the preseason, the Rapids added another big, physical tool in Ireland international Caleb Folan. While he may be new to the league, the Galaxy are well aware of Folan’s talents as he scored the game-winner over LA in a preseason match.

The Galaxy have a physical counter in Omar Gonzalez, but who will be the second sizable defender to help cover the forwards for Colorado? If Gregg Berhalter is healthy, this might be the right time to insert the veteran back into the lineup. Casey and Folan are not going to beat you with all-out pace, but they will pound you physically all game long until one of them can force you into making a mistake, which the other will likely be quick to pounce on. Galaxy defenders, you have been warned!

Offensively this would be a perfect opportunity for Juan Pablo Angel to follow up his goal from last week with another this week. LA looked so good in the opening 15-20 minutes of the game against Toronto, only to completely lose its rhythm and collective energy. Every once in a while in the game the Galaxy would rev up and try to produce a quality chance, only to not get it right in the end. A poor final pass, a miscue on the shot, or even a good save from Sebastien Frei. Whichever way you look at it, LA could not get it right after the early success.

Welcoming Juninho back into the lineup will be a good boost for the team too. Congrats to the Brasiliero and his new bride, but it is time to get back to work. His return likely means that Miguel Lopez or Michael Stephens will head to the bench, personally I wouldn’t mind seeing Lopez attack from a wide position and even push forward as a third forward alongside Barrett and Angel during the match.

The Galaxy have the components to go into Commerce City, Colo., and come away with the points despite missing Landon Donovan and Donovan Ricketts because of international duty. The question is can the Galaxy put together a complete 90 minutes of play like we saw early in the match last week against Toronto? If the answer proves to be yes, LA will be off to a positive start for the second half of the season.

But, forget it. I don’t even want to talk about the “but.” Trust me, if I end up seeing the match trending in that direction, you will read about it here next week heading into the match against San Jose.