(That last sentence "might" not be true)
Q1. How did you first get into the Galaxy and what was the first game you attended?
I’ve played soccer since I was 6. I’ve always been interested in going to professional games, but never quite made it out to a game. The first Galaxy game (and first pro soccer match) I ever went to was Galaxy v. Chelsea in 2008 (Beckham’s first game). Getting the tickets was kind of a fluke.
At work, they were auctioning off tickets to 2 Galaxy games, one on a Saturday and one on a Tuesday. The Beckham move had been announced, but no info about when he would start playing. My gut told me he would make his debut at the Tuesday game vs. Chelsea, so I bought $20 worth of tickets and shoved them in the box. About 15 minutes later they pulled my ticket and I was the proud owner of 4 tickets in Section 112 Row H (yes, those are the premium seats) right behind the Chelsea bench. They were later selling on Stub Hub for at least $250 per ticket. It was a great game and my brother even caught a ball one of the players kicked into the crowd as a free giveaway (he basically snatched it right before an 8 year old in the row behind us caught it and paid the price with a nasty cut on his shin from one of the armrests).
Q2. Name your favourite five Galaxy players of all time?
1. Donovan Ricketts – I’m partial to goalkeepers….we stick together.
2. Landon Donovan – Mr. Reliable…always there with a good touch and able to get the team fired up when things aren’t going right.
3. Josh Saunders – the best backup goalie around. We’re lucky no other team has tried to pick him up.
4. Mike Magee – always seems to come up with amazing plays right when they are needed. Plus, he stepped into goal without hesitation during that awful game in San Jose…and kept the shutout alive down a man.
5. Bryan Jordan – often overlooked with so much talent on the team, Jordan is a great all around player. Definitely not a superstar, but he can play any position well and has contributed quite a bit lately despite his limited playing time.
I know there have been many other greats in the past, but I like to focus on the here and now. Many other current players could be named here (especially Juninho), but I’ll leave it here.
Q3. What is your normal preparation/routine when attending a Galaxy game?
Leave home in Brea 2 to 2.5 hours before game time. Beers in the parking lot with Michelle, Nada, Carlos, Fredy, Dexter, Amilkar, Andy, and whoever else happens to be coming with any of us. Occasionally throw a BBQ or hooka into the mix. Start walking into the stadium at game time.
Q4. Do you follow any other footy teams?
Newcastle United – Sorry, Andy
Q5. Name five footy teams that you hate the most?
Just added to the top of the list – NY Red Bulls
Chivas USA
Real Salt Lake
Arsenal
San Jose Earthquakes
Q6. Describe the best Galaxy performance you attended?
May 8, 2010 away game at Seattle. It was slated to be a fairly even game, but we ended up on top with a 4-0 pounding. The Sounders’ performance was so bad that management refunded all the season ticket holders for that day’s ticket price. It also happened to be the day I met my wife Michelle, and her friends Fredy, Dexter, and Kat, so it has a special place in my heart.
Q7. Describe the worst?
Our 2010 Playoff 3-0 loss to Dallas. I remember a feeling of overwhelming hopelessness watching that game. It just seemed like nothing was going right; they scored early, our passes were off, most of our shots were off target, Hartman did a great job handling the ones that were on target, and our guys were frustrated. Not a good way to finish up a Supporter Shield season.
Q8. Has the Beckham signing been better for Beckham, the Galaxy or the MLS?
I think it’s been good for the Galaxy, MLS, and Beckham, in that order.
The Galaxy have gotten tons of publicity from day 1 which has definitely helped with revenue generation from ticket sales, merchandise, and better TV coverage (it’s nice that nearly all of their games, including home games, are televised nationally…definitely was not the case a few years ago). The team’s game has definitely improved with Beckham present in the middle (I notice a marked difference in games where he’s absent), and it seems that he has shared a lot of knowledge from his many years in top level competition with the younger players. Always good to have that kind of experience on board when it doesn’t come with a hugely inflated ego (i.e. Henry).
MLS has also received a great deal of publicity that was not necessarily present before Beckham’s arrival. Since that time, the league seems to be taking off with new expansion teams, bigger and better TV deals, and the ability to bring more big names to the league since then (Henry, Angel, Marquez, Keane, etc.). It also seems like many of the very talented younger players are a bit more hesitant to leave the MLS to go play in Europe. It’s not totally clear whether these changes are a direct result of Beckham’s presence or a general increase in the number of fans and followers of soccer in general, but I think both play in to it.
Beckham has also benefitted financially from his initial deal with the Galaxy and all of the marketing deals that came along with it. And, let’s face it, he was getting toward the end of his European playing career. It was a great move to come over here and potentially extend his career by a couple of years and highly increase the potential for some kind of show biz career after his playing days are over. The whole controversy with the England national team was a bit of a hubbub over nothing. I wasn’t too upset about him playing for AC Milan in the off season, because representing his country obviously meant a lot to him. That is, until he decided to stay past Galaxy opening day. It kinda sucks that he got injured…I would have liked to see him play in the World Cup.
Q9. Do you follow any other sports and if so, what teams?
Soccer is king! I occasionally watch American football and like the Steelers, but wouldn’t say I go out of my way to watch games or follow everything that’s going on with the team.
Q10. Do you play footy, what position and are you any good?
I’ve played since I was 6 years old. As a youngster I played everything but ended up settling in defense as I got older. Around 12 years old I started playing goalie and have played it exclusively ever since. For the past few years its been predominantly indoor soccer, though I occasionally fill in for outdoor teams. I like indoor much better because of the constant action.
Q11. What's with the rivalry between Galaxy supporters groups?
I don’t get it, but don’t really care. I know people in all of them and they all seem like decent people wanting the same thing. Let’s just get along already. Actually, I’d like start a new group on the south end (our tix are in 142). Trying to think of a good name…..
Q12. Have you ever been involved in any aggro at the match? Galaxy or otherwise?
No, seen plenty though. Nada and some lady got into a pretty heated argument over the PUTO chant because the lady thought it was disrespectful.
Q13. How do you think the MLS compares with other leagues around the world?
MLS is still trying to find its place and figure out what works. Its tough to compete against leagues that have 100+ years of history, but I think we’re catching up very quickly. The talent has improved greatly over the past few years, but I think consistency is still lacking. There have been recent (non-Galaxy) games that I stumbled across on TV and thought, “Holy crap! Is that a bunch of 10 year olds kicking the ball around?” There are certain teams this applies to more than others, but again, I think it will phase out over time.
Q14. Club before country?
YES, though I do like watching the US and support them as much as possible.
Q15. Almost every Galaxy fan I speak to wishes that Chivas USA were gone from the HDC, where would you like to see them end up?
San Diego sounds good. They could probably build up a better more reliable fan base down there.
Q16. Favourite away stadium? (MLS or otherwise)
Seattle. The fans (everybody in the city seems to be a fan) are so into it, but all very nice to visiting fans.
Q17. Least favourite away stadium? (MLS or otherwise)
San Jose. Feels like the crappy wooden bleachers are going to collapse with the ACB/Riot Squad/Galaxians/unaffiliated jumping around. And the cops give you a bunch of crap for wearing the other jersey. Hopefully, they get their new stadium built soon.
Q18. If you could change anything about the Galaxy organisation what would it/they be?
They’ve been doing much better lately, but better enticements/treatment of season ticketholders would be nice. We’ve been invited to several player signing events in the past couple years and Bryan Jordan has been there at least 3 times. I love the guy, but how about getting some variety, and maybe even Beckham or Donovan once in a while.
Also, they need to do more to alter the agreement between HDC and CSUDH. The limited capacity for a playoff game is a joke (couldn’t they do some kind of offsite parking and bus fans in if needed) and the recent crackdown on tailgating is ridiculous. There are always groups that cause problems at these things, but the majority of the people are just there having a good time.
Q19. What changes would you make to the MLS?
The whole playoff scheme is something the league needs to work on. If they’re going to do it, they need to do it right so that it’s truly the best teams from the whole season competing for the title. And they need to make sure there’s enough of a break in between ALL of the playoff games. It seems ridiculous to have 2 days off between the conference finals and semifinals, then 2 weeks off until the Cup game. In the long run, it would be nice to get enough teams participating to put a relegation scheme into place.
Q20. What's the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you at the match?
I’m sure there have been a couple moments when I had a few too many, but this one sticks out in my mind (and I hadn’t even had a beer yet). I had bought tickets and food to make carne asada for a group of 25 or 30 before a game. I spent an hour packing everything up, remembering every detail down to the plates, plastic ware, and BBQ tools. We show up, start unloading the bountiful feast, I fire up the BBQ and start searching for the meat. It was nowhere to be found….8 lbs of carne asada was sitting at home in the fridge. Luckily, some folks were still on the way and stopped at the store, but could only find unmarinated meat. We ended up with Corona and lime marinated beef tacos…not too bad. On the bright side, my family and I got to eat carne asada for the next week.
Q21. Funniest thing you has seen at the match?
Magee playing goal in San Jose. He did a great job, but it was very entertaining to watch somebody with no GK training wearing a shirt 3 sizes too big. It was something out of a pee wee soccer match. And it was at San Jose, so the setting could very easily have fooled anybody.
Q22. Finally, how do you see the season ending for the LA Galaxy this year?
Supporters Shield, destroy everyone in the playoffs to win the trophy at home. (Andy, This was written a month ago)
***Sure Scott***
Great job Scott, it was well worth waiting for.
Also, I know I do tease you quite a lot about being a Newcastle fan, but to your credit at least you chose to support a proper team and didn't jump on the ManU/Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal bandwagon.
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