Tuesday's Column: Bruce Arena's Galaxy Scorecard

Before I start, thanks again for asking Don Garber the questions :)

I’m not a fan of the two central defensive midfielders Arena seems intent on playing, but that’s just personal preference.

Generally Arena and Sarachan (he often gets forgotten) improved the G’s with expertise, stabiltiy and a clear road map.

It helps that AEG granted Arena all the power/decisions (apart from Donovan and Beckham contracts/status)

Nobody is interfering, all work in the same direction and with each other.

Apart from Kirovski and Sanneh I’d say his acquisitions helped enormously, though some of them (Berhalter, Lewis) certainly only do so in the very short term.

All in all, G’s are on a good path, but some work is still ahead of the team, as well as the coaching staff.

Nick, Nick, Nick, you almost had me there. Till I read your comment about Donovan. Donovan hasn't "drifted" out of a game in over two years. You just can't write something without a dig on the Galaxy in some form, can you?

Nick replies: Landon himself would disagree with you.

Nice work with your column this week Nick. I think you nailed down where the Galaxy currently stand at the moment.
I also can see where a cautious optimism underlies much of the success enjoyed by the team.
So "hard-working" and "gritty" has replaced former nonsense like "superclub" and "sexy football."
If a deep run into the playoffs or an MLS cup appearance comes of it, I definitely won't remember how ugly most of those wins really looked...

Nice column and it seems a fair assessment. Arena has clearly righted the ship, but the next stretch of games will tell.

One question, though: Peter Vagenas was "discontented?" That's the first I've read of that. Obviously, everyone was discontented last year under Ruud and Pete had reason to be with his benching, but was he particularly so after Arena arrived?

Nick replies: From my understanding, yes. As you point out he wasn't an Arena favorite to begin with, in part because of his length of tenure at the club so that he was seen as part of the problem and his frankness in the locker room and with reporters. I conducted an interview with Pete in Seattle earlier this year (which I never got around to posting) and all this clearly came across.

Arena's stated team goal in the preseason STH luncheon was to win 8 games at home in order to make the playoffs. That means he needs to win 5 out of 6 remaining home games. Account 6 of the ties earlier for 2 wins and that means win half of the remaining games at home and L.A. should make the playoffs according to him. That is a very attainable goal at this stage.

Granted this isn't pretty soccer but all the tense ties have made for a riveting season so far.

On the edge baby.

The deep and mostly veteran bench has made the playoff run possible. I said from day one that this mostly seasoned "American" team knows how to play for the shirt and won't let us down. Galaxy cannot look pretty against Barca. No team can including Man U. But they are hitting their stride now in MLS and other teams are psychologically afraid of them. Throw in a tough tackle or two by Dema and they may be down right scared to play L.A. now. The way Landon is slicing thru defenders and a bunch of insane passes by Becks per game and it's "game over".

Saunders is making me a believer as a very capable back-up except for his distribution. The big question for me is Birchall. He hasn't shown me anything yet.

So give Bruce all the credit so far. Obey Bruce!

PS - Doesn't Jorge Rojas of Red Bulls look like a younger Arena?

Also, re Pete Vagenas, the poor guy was a dedicated club player and I love him for that. But he was burdened with too much responsibility which he never could handle with this team. "Pass-back" Pete never had enough guile and creativity to be a midfield general nor did he strike fear in the heart of men with his defensive prowess. Idiot Sigi tried to replace Cien with HIM and we paid dearly for that mistake all the years since. Bring him back to the front office when he retires soon.

... so get around to psting that interview!

This is what blogs are for: info that might not be ready for prime time (printed in the paper) but devoted fans would soak up all the same.

Wow Nell! Couldn't disagree more with you about Landon, Nick is right on. I even said this last year, as Donovan goes the Galaxy goes. I love the guy but gosh you can't watch the Galaxy regularly and not see that. He was not in the first game back from the Confed. Cup for example.

My take on the ins and outs; the keepers alone have been worth a bunch o' points this season, Ricketts is the best in MLS for my money and Saunders is probably the best back up in MLS. Sanneh is a bust, just too slow and Berhalter looks out of his depth but I don't think he would be playing if not for the Franklin injury.

Moving Beckham to center mid was a great move although he is generally too deep, I think Birchall or Demo can play at the back of mid and provide that little bite we need.

I think the team is pretty close to being very good.

Good take Nick, but only one quote from Bruce Arena??

""We're certainly a better team than last year," he said Saturday. "But the remaining 11 games in the league are going to be critical if we have aspirations of making the playoffs."

Galaxy would be much better if Arena admits the mistakes of Kirovski, Miglioranzi, and Eddie Lewis. Their lack of pace will catch up with them if they dont make another move. Birchall and Magee are examples of more nonfactors. The only good move was Ricketts.