Pan-Pacific Wrap-Up
By: Laurie | February 25th, 2008
As an LA Galaxy fan, I was horrified by the team’s miserable performace in its 0-1 loss to Gamba Osaka on Thursday, especially when compared to Houston’s lovely 3-0 win over Sydney FC.
Now that the final and the third place games are officially over, I am no longer so panicked about the upcoming MLS season. The difference between the top and less-than-top teams of MLS? Not so huge.
Final scores:
3rd place game: Sydney FC 1-2 Galaxy
Championship game: Gamba Osaka 6-1 Houston.
Turnout for the games was so-so. Even David Beckham couldn’t deliver full stadiums. Only time will tell if this tournament will survive beyond 2008. But this year’s games were more entertaining than I expected.
So what did we learn from this competition?
- Houston’s attempt to validate the quality of MLS fell short. MLS isn’t quite there yet. Our best team vs. Japan’s best team? Painful enough to make you want to cover your eyes. And yet… I still see progress. We’ll be there. Someday.
- Soccer is apparently a chronological progression. Japan’s J-League started in 1992. MLS in 1996. Australia’s A-League in 2004. The final finish for the Pan-Pacific tournament? J-League, MLS, MLS, A-League. It’s only a matter of time before we’ve ascended the learning curve. Right?
- Beckham’s still got it. Two assists for the two gorgeous Galaxy goals. Perhaps it is just a matter of time before the rest if the Galaxy team learns to position themselves to receive those perfect Beckham crosses. Then just watch those balls start hitting the back of the net. (Hey, what can I say? I’m a fan. Hope springs eternal.)
- Title winners Gamba Osaka were missing seven regulars. Houston and LA are probably not wanting to think about this fact too much.
- Perhaps the preseason defensive rankings that show Houston #1 and the Galaxy #14 are a little premature.
- Baré, of Brazil and Gamba Osaka, deserves a helluva lot more respect. If two is a brace and three is a hat trick, what is four? (I mean besides miserable defense?)
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Comments
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In poker, a full house is also called a full boat. Thus, I like to call four of a kind a torpedo, since it sinks a boat. Considering you’re pretty much sunk if someone scores four goals on you, I think “torpedo” would be a pretty good name for it.
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I know just how I like to start out my weeks….with a self-imposed David Beckham wedgie.
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We aim to please, Chris.
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