Watching the Fox Soccer Channels MLS Game of the Week of NY Red Bulls vs. LA Galaxy presented tantalizing matchups all over the field and was exhausting end-to-end action. Great selection FSC and great game as both sides played exceptionally well and finished in a 2-2 draw. If there were more games like this and more talent on the field, Futbol in America would continue to grow!
Let's start with NY Red Bulls. Juan Pablo Angel is simply an amazing player who still has plenty of A-game left in his tank. His goal in the second last night was certainly a candidate for Goal of the Week. It was refreshing to see a NY side actual play with creative talent and chemistry. They currently are sitting in the basement of the MLS East Division, however, with the addition of the left-footed wonder Jorge Rojas, who had two assists in his MLS debut, it is easy to think that JP Angel will be scoring a lot more goals in his second half of the season.
It was understandable when FSC commentators Christopher Sullivan and Max Berritos said that Dave Van den Bergh should not have been left off of the All-Star Squad. He was clearly one of the players of the game. Attack after attack, he brought down the left flank, either striking with power (one goal) with either foot (and he's a lefty).
It was actually exciting to see Carlos Ruiz on the field with Donovan, Beckham and Buddle. Chris Klein and Beckham combine on the right side of the field to present problems for any team. Donovan was beginning to seem absent in the first half, but finished as my Player of the Game in the second half with a beautiful, "I'll pass and get a great bounce, as Buddle fakes out the keeper" goal and then his strike to end the game that went off the inside of the post was brilliant. Donovan showed World Class with two left-footed volleys in the second half.
Chemistry for LA seems to break down somewhere in the game. I believe it is because they lack a true offensive minded CAM and the defense was not superb at all. Having Donovan on the left side certainly paid off, but the middle and back line were all suspect at best.
However, for most of the game, despite the extreme heat there was end-to-end action. There was 48,000 plus fans who were wearing a combination of Aston Villa, Guatemala, England, and a whole host of first division European team kits in the stadium.
Best home field advantage that I have seen this year: Columbus Crews Corner fans and DC United Screaming Eagles.
Worst Pitch: Home Depot Center
Best Pitch: Columbus Crew's Field
Most Exciting Young American: Sasha Kljestan & Robbie Rogers
Most Exciting Internationals: Schelotto (Columbus) Rojas (NY)
Most Unexpected: Buddle (LA) (11 goals)
Should have been on All-star Team: Van den Bergh (NY) Schelotto (Columbus)
MLS 2012 Team: Atlanta, GA!
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