Adios Oranje
Spanish language soccer commentators have a saying which loosely translates to: players win games and coaches lose them. Ruud Gullit validated the adage earlier today when he stepped down as Galaxy head coach, citing personal reasons for his decision. It is difficult to accept that there isn't more to the story.
For the last few days, rumors and stories had circulated that Gullit and today's second cast off, Alexi Lalas, were not getting along, making for a tense environment at Galaxy central. Then there is the point that Gullit is a bit of a hot head at times. Gullit was known for not always having the best of relationships with his coaches when he was a player, nor with his players when the roles reversed.
As if that weren't enough to make one wonder, there is also the important point that the Galaxy haven't won in the last 7 games. Ironically, the Galaxy's most recent loss came against the resurrected San Jose Earthquakes franchise who is coached by Frank Yallop -- the scapegoat for last year's circus of a season.
Despite last year's disappointment, expectations were set high for some exciting play this season. However, from the onset, it seemed as though little had changed for the team, dropping the season opener 4 - 0 to Colorado with a healthy David Beckham, Carlos Ruiz and Landon Donovan. The scoreline would not have been so problematic were it not for the team's onfield performance. They were disorganized, slow and demonstrated little desire to play. Gullit would later comment that the altitude played a major factor in the team's poor peformance.
As the weeks progressed, the team's fortunes turned a bit, but they continued to have a hard time playing for the entire 90 minutes. As a result, in many games, what seemingly appeared as a win for the blue-and-gold would turn into a tie, and ties would evolve into losses, usually within the final 10 minutes of a match. The heat and weather were then quickly added to the list of excuses for the poor performances. Regardless, the team managed to put together a good stretch of offensive performances, ascending them to the top of the Western Conference standings. Their inability to win once they reached that spot has caused them to slip to fourth place.
Under Gullit's tenure, Galaxy games were indeed more exciting. Unfortunately, most of the excitement was rooted in the suspense of figuring out whether or not the team would be able to hold a 3 - 1 lead with 10 minutes left in the game. Gullit's intentions may have been well placed, but the team did not show it and in reality, his standing in soccer history would make one wonder how much he actually cared about succeeding in a league that is considered to be subpar by some European analysts.
Despite these issues, some like to point to forward Edson Buddle's success as an example of his influence. But, can anyone really say that for sure? Perhaps it was more due to the fact that Buddle and Beckham play well together or that it just happens to be Buddle's year. Beyond Buddle, there is little one might be willing to contemplate as a positive from the Gullit experiment.
Once a great player, Gullit leaves as he came -- an unproven manager.
As for Lalas, many fans will remember him for his down to Earth approach. One could often see him wondering the concourse at the Home Depot Center before games, never too busy to sign an autograph or take a picture with a fan. Unfortunately, his legacy will be the many questionable trades during his tenure and the distinction of being the first Galaxy President/GM to not have qualified for the playoffs.
Now it is all left in the hands of the one man that for many a year epitomized Galaxy soccer: Cobi Jones. May his tenure as interim coach prove as successful as his soccer playing career and then some.
Photo by william.ward via Flickr