Galaxy, Red Bull Match Stirs Up Hope and Questions for MLS

Last Saturday night in LA, the New York Red Bulls came to town for the marquee matchup in MLS. While the game ended in a 1 -1 draw, after watching it I came away with several impressions and questions regarding MLS, the Galaxy, Red Bulls, and certain players.

Impressions

Thierry Henry and David Beckham are still worth tuning in for. Henry still makes incredible runs, and knows how to finish. He may have lost a step, but still has enough pace, a high game IQ and an array of moves to put fear into any back four. Always known for his goal scoring exploits, the former Arsenal man creates opportunities for his teammates to score. Henry had several passes that put Rodgers, Richards and others into dangerous positions. His 30 yard juggling run down the sideline was another in the list of entertaining moments from Henry.

Not to be outdone, Beckham surpassed Henry in the creating dangerous chances for others. His long range passing was as accurate as I have seen for a full game from Beckham since he first donned the Galaxy threads. He also flashed a dangerous free kick in the latter stages of the game. Beckham was also very active in pressuring the Red Bull midfield trying to create turnovers. If not for some outstanding goalkeeping by Coundoul, and lackluster finishing by his mates, the Galaxy should have come out of this match with the full three points.

Tremendous hustle was shown by Tim Ream in clearing Donovan’s shot off the line. Youth coaches across the country should be showing this to their teams as an example of why you never give up on a play.

The first half was entertaining end to end action, and the second half while not as exciting was still a very good half of futbol. This is the type of play fans want MLS to achieve. I’m not saying it was on the level of La Liga or the English Premier, but it showed when you have more skilled players (who come to play) on the pitch, the end product is better.

It is only a matter of time before Juan Pablo Angel breaks out of his slump, and when he does the goals will flow. Angel put himself in several good positions, and just could not finish. In the Galaxy setup with Donovan, Beckham, and the overshadowed Juninho, there are going to be ample opportunities for Angel to get his name on the tally sheet.

Questions

I know it was played on the west coast, but an earlier start time by two hours would have been viewed by quite a few more people on the east coast. Why is MLS not scheduling their biggest draw to be at a more watchable time, or is this an issue with the network coverage dictating the time slot? If it is a network issue, then MLS needs to do some serious convincing or use their partnership with the World Cup broadcasting rights to their advantage to get their top teams on in a premium time slot.

With the questions surrounding Ream’s clearance off the goal line, will MLS try goal line technology or go with the extra officials at the goals? I know there have been several articles and comments regarding this, but with the lack of quality in MLS referees, I would hope MLS would look at any help they can get.

After seeing the level of play and skill in this match, how can MLS continue to improve the overall skill level of the league at a little faster pace? Will it take opening the checkbook a little more, or would adding the New York Cosmos as the next franchise have a bigger effect? It is known that those behind the Cosmos brand are wanting to revive the legacy of the past Cosmos and bring in star players. This begs another question as to how they can accomplish this agenda with the MLS financial rules. Would adding the Cosmos fuel growth or possibly have a detrimental effect on the make up of MLS?

Who will the Galaxy go after as their next designated player once Beckham leaves? There have been rumors over the last year of a handful of top players being associated with the Galaxy. Sorting through the rumors to determine reality vs fantasy is easy, but are the Galaxy going to be willing to spend a similar amount to what Beckham got?  Fans have gotten used to having an international superstar on their roster, will a perceived lesser player be welcomed in the land of entertainment?

No matter when these questions get answered, or what my impressions of this game are worth, this match had a little of everything. There was a glimpse of the type of soccer MLS can achieve, a little bit of controversy, a lot of emotion, and an overall entertaining match.