Game 8 - DC United 0:0 LA Galaxy

This was a game of three parts. And a boring one at that.

Part I: Why Use What Has Been Working When You Can Try Something New?

Boy, Namoff looked comfortable on the left side, huh? And whose bright idea was it to put Simms on the back line? This opening lineup was the weirdest I can remember in a long time. Everyone keeps saying that Gros is going to need a dozen games at least to get comfortable. He looked better the last few games. So the logical conclusion is what? Switch it up, of course. Namoff was awful, Simms was ineffective, and Gros was invisible. Well done by all.

Part II: Hard to Port! Full Reverse! Oh, No! We're Doomed!

So, that didn't work, so Simms to central midfield, Olsen to the wing, Namoff to the right, and Gros back to the backline on the left. This, the preferred lineup in my house, was able to settle down the defense, but there was very little in the way of offense. Fred was able to be a little dangerous, but Moreno was almost playing midfield in order to get the ball. And the giveaways were constant and maddening.

Part III: You Mean We Need To Play Offense Too?

Finally, Gomez and Fred were able to start finding Emilio and Moreno up top and push the LA defense. Nothing really dramatic, but far from the inept play of the beginning parts of the game.

Add 'em all up and you get? A scoreless draw which wasn't even as exciting as the scoreline would indicate.

Brief grades:

Forwards (Moreno and Emilio) B-

Midfielders (Olsen, Gros, Gomez, and Fred) C

Defense (Simms, Erpen, Boswell, Namoff, and Perkins) B+

Subs (Kpene, Casal, Dyachenko) C