Ali Gerba - Most popular for September 2009
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Luis Angel Landin is one of the new faces in MLS. (Getty Images)
I guess you could really say its just been a rather slow week in terms of news. Sure rosters
were finalized on Tuesday night for the rest of the year and the league announced their big break
next summer but other than that it's been rather calm in Major League Soccer this week.
This realization has taken a few weeks longer this season, but it's still just as painful. After
watching TFC shit the bed this past weekend in Colorado, my faith in our ability to bounce back and
hit a good run of form is effectively dead. I'm not too urked by a 1-0 loss away to the Rapids -
they've been a good team this year.
Whether or not TFC make the playoffs, and it is still an uphill battle, one thing was evident in
today's 3-2 win over Colorado - the future is near. In the stadium, on the
broadcast and most importantly on the pitch - change is in the air. That change is going to be
necessary if this club is serious about moving forward and many of the pieces showed their
potential today.
Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena hasn't exactly rung the changes despite last weekend's record-setting
6-3 home loss to Dallas.
Sean Franklin has recovered from injury and replaces A.J. DeLaGarza (knee bruise) at right back
in his first start since May, Chris Birchall makes his second MLS start in midfield, while Landon
Donovan moves up front to partner Edson Buddle, perhaps the lone bright spot for the Galaxy last
week when he came on as a sub.
Galaxy 1 Toronto 0
Better from the Galaxy this week (could it get any worse?) helped considerably by a
brittle-looking Toronto defense.
David Beckham could have had a second goal just before the break, a Julian de Guzman headed
clearance of an Eddie Lewis cross falling perfectly for Becks about 22 yards out.
11. Has to give Ali Gerba hairstyle tips
10. Not allowed to Wikipedia "Kevin Keegan"
9. Has to be Prom DJ at MLSE exec's kids' high schools
8. Must let Mo Johnston sit on his shoulders during all future press conferences.
7. Can challenge Pinball Clemons to a wrestle
6. Gets to live in CNE's Food Building
5.
If you didn't watch the Colorado Rapids' 3-2 loss to Toronto on Saturday, don't be fooled by the
score. This was no five-goal explosion of offense. It was a 1-1 struggle blown open by two quick
Toronto goals midway through the second half.
Substitute Michael Holody scored his first Major League Soccer goal in his second Major League
Soccer game, but by that time (the 89th minute), the deed was done.
AP Photo
And those words are: Getting it done.
One week after giving up the most goals in team history, the Los Angeles Galaxy put together
perhaps their most complete game of the season (though the Fire game at Toyota Park is in the
running), shutting out a talented Toronto FC side to become only the fourth team in MLS history to
record a shut-out immediately after giving up six goals.
Most parents will tell you that if you coddle a child for too long then they will end up spoiled.
Now it's unsure how long "childhood" lasts for your average MLS club but three years seems to be at
least "young adult". Why then, is Toronto FC being treated so gingerly by most observers - both on
the inside and the outside of the club?
That's about it then right? Enough now with the endless quest for the playoffs? Toronto had to
leave Illinois with three points tonight but could only grab one from a match that saw TFC start
with a frenetic energy and end with most players about to collapse. The
2-2 result was probably fair for both teams who both showed a lot more in
the way of mistakes rather than skill.
I was just settling down to watch the action and "bam" -Beckham waltzed in to open the scoring
while the game was very young. Up until that flurry of LA's, Toronto had looked promising. Julian
de Guzman had plenty of time on the ball and he did not look like he was surrounded by
strangers.
Toronto highlight of the first half was Gerba's close range shot that LA keeper Ricketts stopped.
If BMO ever decides to pull their sponsorship from Toronto FC, we'd like to make a suggestion -
Nyquil. The nighttime syrup has nothing on a TFC road match for helping you get your Z's.
The Reds went to Los Angeles on Saturday night knowing that all of their close rivals for the post
season had dropped points earlier in the day.