Argentine Lionel Messi, seen here playing against the Galaxy last summer, could have one of those rare, dominating World Cup tournaments reserved for only the greatest of players, I contend in today’s column
Correction: The final quote in the story should have been attributed to Messi’s Barcelona teammate Xavi Hernandez. Thanks to the Barcelona (and Real Madrid) fans who pointed out the error of my ways. You can stop e-mailing now.
Updated:
*After scoring five goals in five games for the Galaxy this season, some observers are wondering whether Edson Buddle could be a belated World Cup call-up.
“I am not a tour operator, profiteer, or scammer (check my ebay rating). I am just a U.S. Soccer fan looking to fill a need and have a good time. I will be organizing the transportation on the ground on the day of the match and will make sure everything runs smoothly. I will provide my cell phone number in the US and SA upon request and/or purchase.”
And while I’ve avoided blogging about the myriad “Win a trip to the World Cup!” contests out there, Galaxy icon Cobi Jones’ warm, big-hearted personality got to me with this one called the search for “The World’s Greatest Football Fan.”
“The concept of the World’s Greatest Football Fan is really amazing,” Jones said. “I’ve played in front of some very devoted fans in my career, and having to choose the most passionate base would be very difficult. Now, fans will have the opportunity to make that decision and show pride for their national team by participating in this contest.”
How amazing is it? The contest involves fans who submit “off-the-wall photos and videos of (fans) wearing their favorite team’s memorabilia.”
Pretty amazing, huh?
Then on-line voters choose “32 national-level finalists (who) progress through a bracket-style voting process to name a grand prize winner.”
For more amazement, check back in Tuesday for my World Cup-oriented column.
*Notable: The Galaxy have scored five goals this season and striker Edson Buddle has scored them all (equaling his tally from all of last season). Is that a reason to celebrate the return of Buddle’s consistent scoring touch – or worry because the Galaxy’s goals are coming from just one source?
Buddle’s two goals gave him 30 in his Galaxy career, moving him into a tie for fifth on the club’s all-time scoring list with Eduardo Hurtado. Buddle is five goals behind fourth-place Mauricio Cienfuegos.
Galaxy XI: Donovan Ricketts; Todd Dunivant, Leonardo, Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza; Mike Magee, Chris Birchall (Jovan Kirovski 83′), Juninho (Michael Stephens 80′), Sean Franklin; Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle (Alan Gordon 67′).
That was as ugly a two goal win as you’re ever going to see.
I’m sure Chivas USA Coach Martin Vasquez doesn’t care now that he’s avoided going 0-3.
The second goal came in second half stoppage time, Jesus Padilla getting on the end of a Zach Thornton hoof up field and fighting off the attentions of defender Jeremy Hall to put the ball past Bouna Coundoul in the most direct goal we’ve seen at the HDC in a while.
That’s Padilla’s second goal for Chivas USA since the San Jose native joined the club on loan last year from CD Guadalajara.
See what happens when you actually attempt a shot? And Chivas USA still didn’t technically hit the target.
Chucky Chinjindu set up Jesus Padilla from 20 yards in the 47th minute, his shot was deflected by a defender, hit the far post, bounced back and hit a scrambling Bouna Coundoul and into the net.
You won’t see a luckier goal this season if you’re a Chivas USA fan.
The good news is that Barcelona scored what was described as a ‘wonderful goal” – by Messi, naturally – and are 1-0 up on Real Madrid at the Bernabeu at the half.
The bad news is we’re not watching that game, but are instead consigned to a rather tepid goalless affair after the first 45 minutes here in Carson.
The ChivaGirls just put in a more industrious halftime performance than we’ve seen really from either team here so far.
Chivas USA left back Ante Jazic left the game with a right knee injury and was replaced by Jesus Padilla, forcing Jonny Bornstein to drop back into defense from right half.
Neither goalkeeper has really been tested with Bornstein heading over the bar on two occasions and Chijindu sending a shot wide of the far post after biong released by Padilla in stoppage time.
The Red Bulls should have done better in the 17th minute, but with Zach Thornton flailing Macoumba Kandji was unable to get a foot on the ball for a telling shot.
Key stat: the two teams have combined for exactly one attempt that was on target and Thornton was credited with the lone save.
Blue sky is just trying to break through the cloud layer in Carson where Chivas USA Coach Martin Vasquez has made five changes to his starting XI in a bid to jolt his team out of the loss column. That is, if they can score their first goal(s) of the season.
Veteran goalkeeper Zach Thornton has replaced Dan Kennedy between the posts for the first time this season, while the back four in front of him sees new signing Dario Delgado partner Costa Rican countryman Michael Umana in central defense while Jonny Bornstein moves up to left half.
The ineffective Osael Romero has been dropped for this one, while Chivas USA will also display the all-new strike force of Chucky Chijindu and Maicon Santos. It’s the first start of the season for the pair (and the fifth of Chijindu’s MLS career); last week’s starting forwards, Maykel Galindo and Justin Braun, are relegated to the bench.
Chivas USA XI (4-4-2): Thornton, Trujillo, Umana, Delgado, Jazic, Kljestan, Saragosa, Gavin, Bornstein, Chijindu, Santos.
In contrast, the Red Bulls are unchanged after their second consecutive 1-0 victory last time out, against the Seattle Sounders.
Bouna Coundoul is in goal, veteran Mike Petke starts in defense, Dane Richards is in midfield and Juan Pablo Angel leads the attack.
I should probably have just used the headline MLS gameday since all 16 teams will take part in eight games today, a league record.
Chivas USA are at home against the Red Bulls in a 1 p.m. game at Home Depot Center (live on Prime), while the Galaxy game in Houston against the Dynamo is delayed until 10 p.m. on FSN.
In other news related to today’s game in the South Bay where Chivas USA is trying to avoid a 0-3 start, while the Red Bulls want to extend their record to 3-0:
As always, click to the top right for an exhaustive run-down of every televised game this weekend, but here’s what I’ll be keeping an eye on:
9 a.m. Saturday Fox Soccer Channel Aston Villa-Chelsea (FA Cup semifinal)
12:55 p.m. Saturday GolTV Real Madrid-Barcelona
1 p.m. Saturday Prime Chivas USA-Red Bull New York
3 p.m. Saturday FSC Philadelphia Union-DC United
10 p.m. Saturday (delayed) Houston Dynamo-Galaxy
*The Galaxy have launched an official five-pub foray to establish away game viewing parties. The first scheduled game: a delayed 10 p.m. encounter against the Houston Dynamo on Fox Sports West. Really?
*Here’s an update on the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s John Thorrington, still struggling to regain fitness with the Chicago Fire.
Argentine Lionel Messi, seen here playing against the Galaxy last summer, could have one of those rare, dominating World Cup tournaments reserved for only the greatest of players, I contend in today’s column
