Truth & Rumors > Soccer

Gullit: Galaxy lacks leadership

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The Galaxy's 2008 roster includes U.S. national team captain Landon Donovan, Guatemala national team captain Carlos Ruiz and former England national team captain David Beckham. So it was strange to hear Galaxy Coach Ruud Gullit on Saturday night talking about the "lack of leadership" on the field during the team's 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls.

Los Angeles Times

Ruud Gullit , Marty Melville//Getty Images Ruud Gullit , Marty Melville//Getty Images
May 13, 2008  08:44 AM ET

He's right. The Galaxy have way too many mental lapses for a side with two players that have been captains of their national teams. Lacking talent is one thing, but when all you have to do is communicate an idea or two at critical times in a match and it doesn't happen you have a leadership issue. Some of that is Gullitt's fault too. Interesting how he throws Becks and Donovan under the bus without naming names.

May 13, 2008  08:52 AM ET

Ha ha ha....No need to comment here....except to say, he's just stated what we all knew.

May 13, 2008  09:05 AM ET

If Gullit is the leader of the Galaxy and saying there are no leaders on this team, who's to blame?

,,,,

May 13, 2008  09:13 AM ET

yup, it all starts up top. Dysfunctional? yes.

May 13, 2008  09:35 AM ET

All four of you are right. This team is leaderless.

May 13, 2008  09:43 AM ET

Lack of defense too. It pains me to watch. I am moving to 'Frisco next year, can't wait to support a franchise that deserves it. I may not watch another Galaxy game all summer.

May 13, 2008  09:57 AM ET

I don't know if he means it, probably just trying to fire his guys up. I don't know if a lack of leadership is really to blame. Seems like there is just a lack of talent in certain positions and a lack of passion from time to time. Although, maybe that is a result of poor leadership...

May 13, 2008  09:58 AM ET

Defense is a big problem with LA ...that guy Xavier is a mess...he looks OLD and very SLOW they need toget ride of him along with half of all of those defenders

May 13, 2008  10:00 AM ET

Does anyone know if D'rossi or Rossi the America/italian player has decided to play for the US or Italian National team?

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May 13, 2008  10:42 AM ET

good insight joelee

May 13, 2008  10:45 AM ET

The Galaxy are who we tought they were!!

May 13, 2008  10:52 AM ET

u can't get a team filled with this much leadership in the MLS

May 13, 2008  11:29 AM ET

I: Rossi is going to play for Italy.

May 13, 2008  12:00 PM ET

appreciate it HOVA

May 13, 2008  12:36 PM ET

If Rossi were going to play for the US and announced it, you would have already seen him touted all over the US Soccer media as the next savior at striker for the USMNT, since, outside of Altidore, the future looks foggy at best up front for Team USA.

Ruud is just giving his players a verbal spanking. But really, I could play defense for the Galaxy and the drop off wouldn't be very noticable.

May 13, 2008  12:41 PM ET

Galaxy lacks a good coach.

May 13, 2008  12:50 PM ET

I said it a couple of days ago, if they hold open tryouts again, I may go. I'm almost positive I can play better Defense.

May 13, 2008  12:57 PM ET

"Leadership" on the pitch can usually be translated into a few consistant behaviors. And since a lack of team communication and lapses in defense tend to be more defensive problems, and not attacking problems, then perhaps Gullit has a point. Poor communication in back was evident, even if you only saw the 5-min. clip against NYRB from the league website. Gullit comes from a European tradition that holds coaches for all preparpation before the game, but relatively little management during the game itself, which is why he stipulated they lacked "leadership on the field." Silly Americans are likely to hold Gullit responsible as tho he's supposed to "Get them fired up" (as in the girdiron game) or win the battle of bullpen match-ups, or something. That's not how this game works.

 
May 13, 2008  01:04 PM ET

Ah yes, those silly Americans. I want to disagree, but alas, you're right. There are many out there... But its good to know that many are trying to learn more about the world's greatest game...

About the Galaxy "tryouts": that's hilarious--you're name is "lazymike" and you just might move quicker and play better D than Xavier. I certainly have better field sense than the jokers in the back. Maybe we can get J'HOVA to play goalkeeper?

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