Soccer - 2nd LA classico is in books

2nd LA Classico is in the books
By
Nate Wunderman

What a difference several weeks makes and not. Several weeks ago, the Los Angeles Galaxy “hosted” CD Chivas USA in the first ever edition of the LA derby and beat the goats 3-1. This time around, even though Chivas were now the “hosts,” the score was 2-0 in the Galaxy’s favor. What is different is that with this current MLS season one-third of the way through, the respective teams’ fate has come into clearer focus. The fate of the Galaxy appears as if they will be fighting FC Dallas for the Western Conference crown. As for Chivas USA, unless they hit a vein of adequate form, will have the ignominious “distinction” of surpassing the 1999 Metrostar’s pathetic record of 7-25.
Going into the match, the Galaxy had the appearance of a team who could be had. Injuries and national team call-ups have decimated the men in green and gold. Seeing starting first team action for the first time this season was Costa Rican defender Pablo Chinchilla. Chinchilla would make a good case for more playing time during the classico. Unlike the prior season, so far the Galaxy bench has shown itself capable. In fact, the Galaxy has shown a knack for getting results despite less-than-adequate performances on the pitch. This knack was conspicuously absent last season.
Unfortunately for the goats, the “mandated” move of replacing rookie goalkeeper Brad Guzan with veteran Martin Zuniga has actually “helped” the Chivas USA defense regress. This is somewhat understandable given that the respective keepers are completely different and thus the defenders in front of them have to adjust their play accordingly. Guzan is tall and physically dominant, plus his defenders had begun to show signs of familiarity with their net-minder. Zuniga is average-sized and relies upon quickness and experience. His defenders relative unfamiliarity with resulted in five goal shelling at the feet of FC Dallas. It should be mentioned that both keepers cannot rescue their team every time their defenders lose their concentration (which they do too often to tread water in MLS).
What is starting to become apparent is that the Chivas powers-that-be underestimated badly the level of play in MLS and how much physical play American referees allow. Another factor adding to their misery is how motivated the other MLS teams are to “put Chivas USA in their place,” especially considering the mouthing off Vegara and Co. did predicting almost instant success merely by having their “farm team” show up. Judging the comments emanating from the Chivas USA executive quarter, they have begun to realize that. Another item of concern is the anemic attendance that ESPN analyst Eric Wynalda predicted would happen if the team got out to a poor start. That has come to pass and does not appear to be getting any better as long as the product on the pitch continues to stink it up. Expect some front office shake-ups if the attendance woes continue.
Meanwhile outside the world of American soccer: the bold words about soccer becoming the second sport on the American team sports totem pole may actually come to pass due to the actions of the sports immediately above it. The NHL continues to stab itself in the foot, as their labor problems show no sign of being resolved anytime soon. The NBA is also starting to slide down the slippery slope of labor trouble. A prudent course for soccer would be to try to knock off one opponent at a time. A chance for a great leap forward might emerge next year though. If both the NHL & NBA were out of commission, sports media outlets such as ESPN would almost be forced to cover soccer simply due to the need to fill time. Especially when all that’s going on is baseball and World Cup 2006.