“I think there might be a few prawn-eaters here today.”
Such were The Guy’s thoughts before Sunday’s showdown between the LA Galaxy and the Chicago Fire.
Alas, Toyota Park does not serve prawn sandwiches, forever immortalized by Roy Keane’s contemptuous remark about Old Trafford fans whose priorities did not include actually watching the Red Devils play. And yet I did notice that the line for Dippin Dots was even longer than usual. Was this because of the 80 degree temperature or all those grade schoolers running around in Galaxy #23 shirts?
No matter. This was a perfect day for American soccer. Though I can’t say that the atmosphere in the stadium went all the way to eleven, everybody (well, everybody over age 16), knew they were watching a game whose outcome really mattered. Yeah, they were there to see the guy from East London go head to head with the guy from south of the border. But I sensed that the celebrity thing took a back seat to the showdown on the pitch. Geez, this must be what it feels like to support an English team locked in a relegation battle! We’re getting there, inch by inch….
I absolutely pitied the Galaxy, especially Beckham. Only victory would save their season and neither the Fire nor their supporters were having any of that. Donovan was booed with gusto whenever he took a corner (a bit harsh for a guy who scores for the USMNT), as was Becks when he came in near the 60th. Though LA had a few scary chances in front of goal–especially after Beckham served up some good crosses and corners–possession time and shots on goal favored the Fire. If we had better strikers, the game would have been a blowout in the first half. I do give Chad Barrett points for trying hard, but he missed a handful of good chances, including an open goal early in the game. And Paolo Wanchope? How could I improve on the guy behind me: He runs like a zombie! Zombies, don’t run, do they? I guess that’s the point.
The Beckham v. Blanco matchup has been overblown. Their playing styles are so different that comparisons are meaningless. Beckham’s value has always been his precision kicking: free kicks, corners, crosses. Blanco is a tireless playmaker. Cuahtemoc (I’m trying to spell that without looking–I should know it by now, but I sense that I’ve misplaced a vowel), had an outstanding game on Sunday. At age 34, he plays with such fire in the belly that I would love to see film of his salad days in Mexico. I wonder if Becks looks at him with envy? I mean, at some point all the hype and pressure and 24/7 scrutiny of his entire existence has to get to him, don’t you think? Blanco flew in under the radar of the Anglo media for the most part, and has nothing at all to prove to his legions of Mexican fans here and back home. Less media attention plus no injuries equals relaxed, happy, productive footballers.
I was going to spend this entire post enthusing about the Cinderella boy of Sunday’s game. Except John Thorrington is no Cinderella boy. He’s more like the Heartbreak Kid and the regular media (no fair, Luis A.), have already written all the cool stuff about him. Like how even though he signed with the occupants of Old Trafford as a teenager, his career has been so plagued with injuries that starting for League One side Huddersfield Town had been one of its highlights.
I think that changed on Sunday. Thorrington burst on to the field for the final half hour of Sunday’s game, looking for all the world like a man just told that he was playing in his final game. He made every second count, scoring the winning goal with a lovely chip over Galaxy keeper Joe Cannon. Seriously, I didn’t see Sky Sports News on FSC afterward, but I shall take umbrage if that goal and celebration didn’t make the highlights. Because of the Beckham connection, it could happen, right?
Finally, I suppose that the media and the soccersphere thrive on speculation, but enough is enough. Yes, a draw would have pitted us against Chivas in the first round of the playoffs instead of DC United. But what kind of athlete ever steps on the field of play without going for the win? (No gratuitous references to Manny Ramirez, please). Remember that Beckham was part of the glorious Man United squad that produced two stoppage time goals to win the 1999 Champions League. Should the Fire have played for the draw, just assuming that the Galaxy wouldn’t score in stoppage time? Nope. Besides, a goal like Thorrington’s must surely inspire his teammates. And what team can’t use a little inspiration going up against the strongest team in the league?
