MLS = Ordinary Joes + World Class Athletes

I missed the Galaxy’s first two games but I got the chance to watch them last Sunday at home v Toronto FC. Galaxy lost 3-2. Donovan scored two; Beckham could have had five assists. Toronto FC were lucky. Galaxy dominated, but gave up three counterattack goals.

MLS is a spectacle like no other. Ordinary Joes get to line up alongside World Class Athletes. I'm not going to name certain new players on LA, but doubt all of the players on the team understand how lucky they are to be in the same environment with Landon Donovan and David Beckham.

The combination of talent and hunger to earn everything you get puts these two in the same category as Tiger Woods. Even though (or maybe because) they are the highest paid and most talented, they are still the hardest working players on the field every game. They are never satisfied. It is this special blend of insecurities that makes them the outstanding competitors that they are.

David Beckham gets a lot of flak if the team loses, but man he kills himself out there. Up and down the wing, inside to cover, over to take free kicks and corners – perfectly crossed balls that don’t end up in the net. It has to be frustrating. But no yelling at teammates - just more hard work. What an example. He’s worth the cash even if he never wins a trophy. As long as his attitude on the pitch is mimicked by the top 10% of soccer players in this country, it will have been a great investment.

Champions to be ...

LA Galaxy will be 2008 MLS Cups Champs. That or 2008 Open Cup Champs. Or at least 2009 MLS Cup Champions. They have too much talent not to win a trophy. If there is one thing Ruud is guud at, it's Cups. He won’t drive them to the Supporters Shield for the best record regular season, but he will get them to the final like he did with Chelsea and Newcastle in the 97 and 99 FA Cups.

One hitch might be WC qualifying. If Becks has to fly back and forth for Capello's army it could cost the spoiled brats of the league, but they will win something. They have to.

Ruud has the cojones to push David Beckham out wide where he is the best in the world. All they need is a left midfielder with positional sense and that backup goalie to come of age and things should take care of themselves especially with Ruiz and Donovan up top.

I met Ruud Gullit at Wembley in May 1997 right after he became the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup. He was really cool and introduced me to Zola, Di Matteo, Juninho and the rest of the stars from that game so I’m going to do him a favor. I'm going to go around to some of the barrios here in SoCal and search the latino men's leagues for that left mid he needs and then drive him over and drop him off at the HDC. Trust me he's out there and he won’t push them over the salary cap. Only problem is after I leave he'll end up with Chivas because he's probably never heard of the Galaxy.