Lalas brings chaos in LA
Former Galaxy player and brand new Red Bull Santino Quaranta is like most American soccer fans in that he has a very strong opinion about LA's general manager Alexi Lalas. And, shock, it's not a very happy opinion.
Quaranta, who arrived in LA from DC last August, says the mood in the Galaxy locker room is a bad one due to all the player moves that have happened. "If a guy comes in at 10:15 when he's supposed to be there at 9:45, (the other players are) joking that the guy got waived and taking the name tag down (from the locker)."
There is no question that LA is a team in flux as they wait for the marketing savior to arrive later this week. However, one does have to point out that the team has picked up a bit of late as they have got more points from their last four matches then they did in their first eight.
If this is a trend, then all the moves made by Lalas might end up looking okay in the end, however if the team fails to deliver during the second half of the season, which the article describes as "more about publicity, corporate branding and ticket sales than soccer", then Lalas will look the fool again.
In his short time in Los Angeles, Quaranta has seen quite a lot. And, not coincidentally, the craziness began with the arrival of Alexi Lalas as president and general manager in April 2006.
"It's mostly chaos in L.A.," Quaranta said after a recent Red Bulls practice. "I guess they did what they had to do in the end. They're trying to keep their jobs, too, as well, so I can't fault them for trying to make the team better. But in the end I don't know if it makes it better."
Quaranta, who arrived in LA from DC last August, says the mood in the Galaxy locker room is a bad one due to all the player moves that have happened. "If a guy comes in at 10:15 when he's supposed to be there at 9:45, (the other players are) joking that the guy got waived and taking the name tag down (from the locker)."
There is no question that LA is a team in flux as they wait for the marketing savior to arrive later this week. However, one does have to point out that the team has picked up a bit of late as they have got more points from their last four matches then they did in their first eight.
If this is a trend, then all the moves made by Lalas might end up looking okay in the end, however if the team fails to deliver during the second half of the season, which the article describes as "more about publicity, corporate branding and ticket sales than soccer", then Lalas will look the fool again.
Labels: Alexi Lalas, Beckham, Los Angles Galaxy, MLS, New York Red Bulls, Santino Quaranta
posted by Mike H at 10:29 AM
3 Comments:
At the same time, I don't know that I'd take Tino's word on this. He has a bit of a rep regarding showing up for practice. Just saying...
Yeah. What D said.
But judging by legitimate sources, there does seem to be something to what Tino said, too. Except that it seems to be getting better now. Knock wood.
I'm still not sure LA is ready for their closeup.
D, I was thinking the same thing but failed to mention it. Thanks for pointing it out. I guess DC fans know what Tino can say once he is off a team.
Laurie, "I'm still not sure LA is ready for their closeup." That is the perfect way to describe how a lot of us feel. Thanks for summing it up so well.
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