Galaxy-Rapids U.S. Open Cup Post-Game
AP Photos
Current Galaxy striker Bryan Jordan and former Galaxy defender Ty Harden go head to head during Tuesday's U.S. Open Cup game in Carson, which the Rapids won on penalty kicks after the two teams played to a 0-0 overtime draw.
The Galaxy failed to find a way past a team that played for most of the night with 10 men, but frankly Coach Bruce Arena didn't look too disappointed with dispensing with the distraction of the U.S. Open Cup in a season where there are far more urgent priorities.
The positives?
A.J. DeLaGarza, Yohance (God's gift) Marshall (I'm not being funny - that's what his first name apparently means in Swahili) at central defense and not giving up any goals, said Coach Bruce Arena. Sounds about right to me.
This was one of those nights it was sufficient to show up and look like you're working:
"The opportunity to play some guys tonight was beneficial ... overall I thought our effort was good. We broke down technically with the last pass or the finish tonight and that was the difference in the game."
On the unusual back four of Omar Gonzalez, Yohance Marshall, Gregg Berhalter and A.J. DeLaGarza:
"From Saturday we had a couple of players that needed more time to recover. We didn't intend to play Omar (Gonzalez) at right back, but I actually thought he did a good job. He had some stomach cramps and we had to take him off after 90 (minutes). He's obviously pretty fatigued. Players that played on Saturday we were somewhat reluctant at trying to give them a lot of minutes today and we tried to avoid that."
Gregg Berhalter also had to come out with cramps, BTW. (It's been a while since he played a game, Arena said, although Berhalter said he hadn't missed a day of training this season with his second division German club this season).
At the other end of the spectrum, Colorado Coach Gary Smith declared himself "completely overwhelmed and delighted" (isn't that pushing it for a U.S. Open Cup preliminary game?):
"I thought, categorically, we showed tremendous character, (playing) a man down for the best part of what I think was 90 minutes and that's never easy away from home."
An announced 6,219 were in attendance.
Current Galaxy midfielder Chris Klein and former Galaxy defender Ugo Ihemelu go toe to toe Tuesday in Carson.
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About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
Hey Nick,
Next time you are talking to Bruce could you ask him what is up with Izzy Sesay? Why is he not giving the kid a chance? Thanks.
Nick replies: Um, I don't think Sesay is long for the Galaxy roster. It could take a few weeks, but I'm hearing he's on his way out.
Nick:
I was one of the 241 people there. Anyway, I believe that I saw Rickets warming up prior to the game. I was hopeful he might start because it was a nothing game, or maybe get subbed in.
Any word on: (1) his health; (2) how he is looking in practice, of if he is even practicing?
Nick replies: He's participating in full practices; expect to see him start Saturday unless there's some sort of injury setback in the next couple of days.
Thanks Nick, Although that is not what I wanted to hear at least I can stop wondering why he doesn't get any time on the pitch. I suppose we don't have enough 30+ year olds so he has to go to make room for another one. What a joke, anyway did you hear the boos again after the game? When will those guys learn that all this crossing the ball into the box and not trying to attack defenders with the ball is not going to work. I heard so many people yelling last night for them anyone to just shoot the ball!
Nick replies: Yeah, I heard the boos. It's getting depressing to watch this lot isn't it? Congrats to those fans (gluttons for punishment?) who continue to show their loyalty. I'm guessing the SuperClasico this weekend will not sell out.
Yeah I guess I am one of those gluttons. I mean I love the team and I will keep going to the games, but they need to get stuff turned around there, and some of our young guys need to be playing - Marshall is fast! Cummings couldn't outrun him last night. I would rather have AJ, Marshall, Omar, and Franklin as our backline than the slow guys he is going to put in there.
Nick replies: We were talking about that in the press box last night; why wouldn't Bruce give A.J. and Omar a chance to start together in the middle given that's what they did for national champion Maryland last year? And I was impressed with Yohance, too. Still, playing that incredibly young lineup on defense is a huge gamble. And I'm STILL not a big fan of Franklin.
Yeah that back line would be a gamble, but having Tony back there is a gamble the crapids showed us that. Then you have the whole learning and getting better factor -those young guys will get better these old guys will not. I would rather lose with young players that I know will get better than with old guys who are not going to be in a LA jersey in a couple years. Tristen looked dangerous at times last night but he needs to work on his first touch.