Seattle finally ready to hit form
Seattle started last season superbly and quickly gained a reputation as one of the best attacking teams in the league, but since then they have stumbled going forward.
Sigi Schmid has so many great attacking players at his disposal that finding the right mix has not always been easy for the experienced coach. But his decision to go with a new system last weekend may finally help this team live up to their attacking potential.
Freddie Ljungberg has spent a lot of his time playing too far up the field to really stamp his authority on the game but should now become a lot more influential from a deeper position.
It also helps utilize the undoubted talents of Steve Zakuani who is starting to develop into one of the best attacking players in MLS. Peter Vagenas and Osvaldo Alonso may hardly be a mouthwatering combo in the middle of midfield, but when paired together they give this team balance and allow the attacking players to go forward, while knowing the duo will provide defensive cover.
The real test will come this weekend against Los Angeles when I expect Seattle to show us that the Galaxy won’t have it all their own way in the west this year.
Standard of MLS refereeing
Players, fans and coaches have questioned the standard of refereeing in MLS over recent years and, while the levels have risen over the last 12 months, it is still in need of major improvement.
Referees make decisions that can change a game in an instant so it is important that they have a good grasp and understanding of the game from a player’s perspective.
A classic example of a referee failing to read a situation through the eyes of a player came in the Houston- Kansas City game when Terry Vaughn sent Davy Arnaud off for a challenge on Pat Onstad in the first half.
Watching the incident in real time it was obvious to me that Arnaud was making a legitimate attempt to get the ball and, although he made some contact with the Houston ‘keeper, there was certainly no malicious intent in the tackle.
Vaughn decided to show the red card based on the contact but it was the wrong decision and one that referees in MLS continue to make. Vaughn and the other referees in the league have to understand that in a situation when the ball is there to be won, players have every right to make an attempt to win possession and not all contact has to be met with a red card.
How long should a coach be given?
After a poor start to his coaching career at D.C., many people have been speculating on the future of Curt Onalfo, but it is way too early to judge the former K.C. manager.
Over the last few years it has become common for managers to be sacked after a short spell at a club, but it is something we have rarely seen in MLS and I hope it stays that way. Coaches have a difficult job when they arrive at a club and creating a team is something that does not happen overnight.
Last season, the L.A. Galaxy started off very slowly before hitting their stride later in the campaign when Bruce Arena’s work in preseason began to show. And while United has been awful so far, it is not inconceivable to think this side will improve over the coming months.
Onalfo inherited a squad that has underachieved over the last few years and he has to be given a decent amount of time to turn things around. If at the end of the season D.C. has still shown no signs of progress, then Onalfo will have some questions to answer, but until then he should be allowed to get on with his job of turning this side into a contender again.
Superb support cast for Arena
The L.A. Galaxy have started the season off in superb form and while Bruce Arena has received most of the plaudits for his side’s resurgence, his army of assistant coached deserve a lot of credit too.
When Arena first took the job he made sure he brought in an experienced assistant coach and Dave Sarrachan has proved to be the perfect choice. Anyone who has been around a Galaxy practice will know that Sarachan brings tremendous energy to the training ground and is a hugely popular figure among the players.
Arena also kept Cobi Jones on as an assistant and the former Galaxy midfielder provides a great link from the players to the coaching staff and is someone that commands respect from the squad for what he has done throughout his own playing career.
Trevor James is also on the bench and his experience and work with the Galaxy academy means that Arena should start to see more young players join Tristan Bowen as the Galaxy try and develop the youth system.
Arena is the best coach in the league but any awards he wins should be shared with a staff that certainly make the head man’s job a lot easier.
And now on to this week’s MLS Power Rankings …
1. Los Angeles Galaxy: The Galaxy didn’t need to get out of second gear to beat the Union and continue their unbeaten start to the season after another win in Colorado.
2. New York Red Bulls: The Red Bulls have already matched their win total for last season and that has been accomplished with almost the same squad that failed so miserably last season.
3. Columbus Crew: The Crew will be happy with the point they picked up in Seattle as they continue their under the radar unbeaten start to the season.
4. Seattle Sounders: The Sounders have so many great attacking players but Sigi Schmid hasn’t always found the right mix to get the best out of his team.
5. Kansas City Wizards: Terry Vaughan won’t be on Peter Vermes’ Christmas card list after his decision to send off Davy Arnaud ended any chance K.C. had of gaining a point in Houston.
6. Houston Dynamo: The Dynamo picked up a massive win over K.C. but the final score was a little flattering to a Houston side that played the majority of the game a man up.
7. Colorado Rapids: The Rapids had the chance to open up a gap over the sides behind them in the Western Conference but blew it with a toothless attacking performance.
8. Chicago Fire: The Fire can’t be happy with a home draw against Chivas USA, although this team has shown with their recent performances that they are heading in the right direction.
9. Real Salt Lake: RSL showed enough quality in their win over Toronto to suggest they can shake off their recent poor form and get back in the race for top spot in the west.
10. San Jose Earthquakes: A victory over Colorado was a must for this team and now Frank Yallop will be hoping his side can build on that positive result. My guess is they won’t.
11. Chivas USA: Chivas have improved over recent weeks but not even the most die-hard Goats fan can really believe this side is anywhere near capable of challenging for a title, although they looked like it against the Revs on Wednesday night.
12. Toronto FC: Toronto was always going to struggle against RSL with Dwayne DeRosario starting on the bench.
13. New England Revolution: The Revs never really looked like beating Dallas or Chivas USA and this weakened squad will have to fight tooth and nail for every point they earn until their big stars return.
14. FC Dallas: Schellas Hyndman says he remains quietly confident in his side but they need to be more lethal in front of goal if they are to keep pace with the top teams in the west, but the win over Houston helps.
15. Philadelphia Union: The Union performed poorly in the first half but at least showed some fighting spirit in the second 45 against the Galaxy.
16. D.C. United: Kevin Payne has said that United will look to make a big signing in the summer, but this team will be already out of the playoff race by then.
Keith Costigan covers MLS and U.S. Soccer for FoxSoccer.com.
