Which of these two guys do you want to run your team?

The answer, of course, is neither, but after reading Greg Lalas' recent 3-5-2 column on Goal.com on how to build an MLS side, I think it best to say that the one who actually has the job is the one who should be worried. (Especially if the new season ticket numbers revealed this week are to be believed. Chop, chop goes the GM axe when numbers like that come out, I would think.)

Another question: After reading over the piece, has Alexi done any of what Greg recommends with the Gals?

Also, I very much like Lalas' (that would be Greg of course) notice of both Patrick Ianni and Franco Caraccio. Based on what I saw last year compared to what I saw in Hawaii a few weeks ago, I would not be at all surprised if Ianni is ahead of Bobby Boswell in Dom Kinnear's depth charts.

And one more serious prop: Greg Lalas (When will the Ginger One fade away so that we can all just refer to the Greg by his last name and not have anyone ask "which one" anymore? Soon, please.) pointed out, quite correctly in my mind, that the best of MLS (Dynamo) is better than the lower reaches of the EPL (Derby County being GL's case in point). Check out his column for the obvious points in this regard, and what this might mean for the EPL, especially when you compare that league top to bottom to the Bundesliga and La Liga. Read more!

Little Fish swims away (Good riddance)

So Carlos Ruiz got traded to LA today. I know my attitude has always been that Rico Clark should have kicked him harder as my favorite moment of all of that was when Rico kicked his shoulder and the Little Fish grabbed his face. (I still maintain that the replays make the kick worse than it appeared. You ever been kicked in the shoulder? You don't grab your face.)

I have rarely seen a player get by on so little. What did Ruiz do last year other than flop and try to draw fouls? And I know he scored here in Houston in the Western semis to put Dynamo down 2-0 in aggregate. I know he used to be MVP quality when he was in LA the first time. But that's the key phrase, isn't it, "used to be."

You know, all over the Internets today, I continue to read how the league favors Galaxy, now the rules are skewed in their favor, and I think all of this is true. But for solace, I go back to the knowledge that Alex Lalas, the Grand and Glorious Redheaded Destroyer of Franchises, still runs that team. Ruiz has lost more than one step in the last couple of years and I really don't think El Pescadito will pair well with Landon Donovan up top. As a matter of fact, he really doesn't bring much more to the table than the now dearly departed Carlos Pavon. All in all, this is a perfect Lalas deal. Much flash, almost no substance. Keep building that brand 'Lex, the way only you know how.


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