LA Galaxy: What up?

The natives are starting to get a little restless in the City of Angels. After missing the playoffs last season for the first time in franchise history, the Gals have started out with a scoreless draw and a 2-1 loss. What gives?

I really don't think the team is playing that badly, but they do lack confidence for some reason. They had Houston in a good position, coming off the heartbreaking loss in Pachuca and tired. They then got a man advantage for a good deal of the second half, but seemed wary of taking the game over.

The controlled the early going of the Dallas game, putting the Hoops under extreme pressure early. However, once Ruiz scored the penalty, they lost all their momentum. Cooper's goal came off a soft free kick given up and slack marking. They at least kept fighting and finally scored a goal, but it came too late.

Are they just in a holding pattern until Becks comes to save the day? I sure hope not, because if they don't wake up, his arrival won't have much of an impact. Coach Yallop needs to figure out a system and stick with it. Moving Albright up into the midfield for the first half against Dallas was a mistake. Robbie Findley has been a bit of a surprise, and it might be time to play him from the start.

If it was me, I'd partner Findley up with Jaqua at forward. I've never understood this thing that MLS coaches have starting doing, moving 6 foot plus forwards out to the wing. Play to their strengths, and play them up top. Playing Jaqua and Findley up top allows Landon to sit behind them. Partner him with a destroyer in the midfield, someone to do all the dirty work, and you're getting somewhere. With Albright and Jazic overlapping from the back, you have the makings of a dangerous attack.

I worry that LA is thinking too much about what will be when Becks gets here, rather than what is going on right now without him. They should be better off than they are right now...