My Sandbox

It wasn’t the way he wanted to go out, but we’ll never forget the cheers as he left the field. He only played a few times alongside David Beckham, but when he did, it was magic. Sadly, that brief flicker of hope wasn’t meant to be. Oh, I know what the rumors are saying, but to be honest, I think now’s the right time for him to go. I think he knows it, too. I can’t picture him playing for the Galaxy next year, so it’s best that we say goodbye.

So long, Carlos Pavon. Vaya con inhaler. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass.

I didn’t preview last night’s game, not because I didn’t care, but because I honestly couldn’t think of anything interesting to say about it. I simply took it completely for granted that the Galaxy would win. The only thing I was worried about was Juan Pablo Angel getting two goals, winning the MLS scoring title, and having to deal with a manufactured MVP controversy. I might not deserve an MLS awards vote, but still less do people trying to make the case that post-clinch, pre-playoff Ides of October games should sway votes. (This is the MLS equivalent of the Hall of Fame voting. Yeah, I’m not the most qualified guy in the country, but at least I knew enough to vote for Joy Fawcett, so what’s everyone else’s excuse?)

One good thing about last night’s game is that it puts to rest the MLS Fix theory. Yes, the Galaxy could still backflip into the playoffs, but think of how much easier it would have been to fix two Galaxy games than it will be to fix a Rocky Mountain Cup, an FC-KC game, AND the game on Sunday that you now have to fix into a win rather than a draw. Unless the conspiracy is to make people think it’s not a conspiracy. Having said all this, I wasn’t the only guy stunned that New York finished the game with eleven players and zero penalty kicks against.

Quick take on the Red Bulls: they will go as far as Altidore, Angel, and Dane Richards will take them. In the West, that would be MLS Cup. New York is not in the West, though, and neither is the Giants Stadium turf. Let Arena clear out some of the old deadwood (he brought in most of the deadwood this year, but let’s skip merrily past that), and check back with me when they move into the Red Bullpen.

So, Cobi Freaking Jones. I waffle back on forth on whether he should actually retire. He would be an excellent, and I mean excellent, second-half substitute. He started out fiery hot against New York, and then he aged before our eyes. New York defenders, barring a couple of nice moves, were able to keep up with him fairly easily last night, and it isn’t like anyone’s scouting the Red Bulls D for any FIFA All-Time Best XI teams. It was silly of me to think he would be subbed on Cobi Jones Night, but he can’t go ninety anymore, and he would have gotten a nice loud-ass standing ovation. (Okay, he got those before the game, but still.) Plus, does he have anything left in the tank for Sunday? Or the playoffs, which start mere days later?

I also can’t blame him for reconsidering, any more than I can Chris Armas. (Eddie Pope seems set in his decision.) Anyone who has seen these guys for more than, like, fifteen minutes knows how competitive they are. And, Alexi Lalas and Hristo Stoitchkov notwithstanding, it’s pretty tough to unretire. I’d not surprised they want to call takebacks on it. It would be funny, though, if other MLS teams next year held “Can’t You Take a Hint? Night” across the league.