With J Hutcherson -- It's tough when the only way your club gets linked with the phrase "big game" is when it matters to the opposition. Tonight's Los Angeles - New York spectacle holds no more meaning for the Red Bulls except as an attendance boost for the curious. That's what happens when you've won two games 19 into the season.
New York is currently 14 points and a mammoth goal differential from playoff contention. There's the feeling that this version of the teams will ride out '09 before a rebuild in hopes of better days at their new stadium in Harrison. Just about anything would be an improvement over what they've shown so far this season.
In fairness, the disaster version of RBNY tends to happen on the road. At home, they've gotten those two wins, three ties, and 13 goals. On the road, it's one tie, ten losses, and two whole goals. No wins since May 8th against San Jose, but two ties at home to Western Conference leaders Houston and Seattle. Adding LA might make a too subtle point for this club.
Playing spoiler on David Beckham's 'allow me to reintroduce myself' moment simply won't count for very much. LA is on a win streak that has to end sometime, but it's put them in playoff contention. They'll get the points to stay there, with the Western Conference looking strong to take more than four slots.
Three tonight should be easy enough. Beckham's game isn't the kind that will disrupt his own club. He's not likely to be crowding either box making it hard for the forwards or the defenders trying to run a familiar line. His distribution only helps.
What this means early on is a question of sync, but there are enough players on the squad used to his game. The Serie A season was recent enough that weight on the passes should be there from the start. Whether or not it matches the runs will be the issue, but that can be worked out over 45 minutes at park soccer level.
Yesterday's media exercise notwithstanding, one gets that all involved with the Galaxy don't need reminding that winning is the point. Win tonight, and LA could be in a playoff slot depending on the weekend results. Their quick turnaround game at home to Milan and August 1st's exercise in friendly soccer aside, this is a club that seems to finally get that the League is the only proof of concept.
Once again, LA gets the questionable benefit of a restart. Any clear signs that it's working is bad news for the rest of their schedule.
Comments, questions, solutions to problems that have yet to present themselves. Please, tell me all about it.
