The commentators never put it together, but it was Birchall alone who was stabilizing T&T's half of the field and impeding US forays, in that subtle but significant sort of way that midfielders like Marcos Senna have... via reliable distribution, maintaining possession on T&T's side of the field, and always being positioned right where he needed to be.
And it's helped result in an undefeated record for the Galaxy through 9 games so far.
It's no coincidence that Birchall's rise to a starter this season coincides with Galaxy's dominant start to the season... all sans Goldenballs.
I always knew he would be an excellent player in MLS, ever since I noticed the impact him being subbed off caused during a match between T&T and the US.
Oh, and as for the people comparing MLS to England's lower-division leagues...
MLS is significantly better than League One. Ugh. MLS isn't very pretty, but I'd watch MLS over League One any time.
MLS is about equal to the Championship. If you disagree, you're ignorant, and probably a stuffy Englishman that's never even actually seen an MLS game, but instead lets similarly ignorant English media form your opinion for you.
Birchall is set i am glad we are selling him to Galaxy we dont want him he played 2 games and got us knocked out the cup as he missed the penaly brighton till i die
I like your opinions, Cheddar. The only reason I'm interested in Birchall is the fact that he married into the family of a friend of mine. It's funny how a little connection can get you interested in something... I can't get very excited about any Premiership teams, but Brighton and Port Vale are both places I'm tied to, so I follow the teams occasionally.
@CognizantCheddar Birchall is utilized more as a defensive and central midfielder now. he can play as a CAM, CDM, or CM, but this year he's been paired with that brazilian wonder Juninho in the middle, with Birchall playing more defensively, I don't think they will utilize or deploy him out on the right anymore with his stellar play in the center
The same reason Beckham has gone to Madrid, though the MLS is growing, it is seen as a retirement option and a end of career option. If Birchall was in no doubt about joining the MLS, he would not be on trial at other clubs around the world would he?
well how about Juan Toja? he came to the MLS and played only for a year and got signed by a team that was in the Champions League. What League One player has ever done that?
Amerian football is so crap any league one team could beat galaxy look at some videos of the fans they dont do a fucking thing u should look at the fans at even a league one team like brighton
still, why would he want to go down to league one? in MLS he would be able to play against some great players(Juan Pablo Angel, Guillermo Barros Schelletto, Cuatemoc Blanco, and David Beckham for a few names) MLS is a rising league and League One is just bad
League One is as good as the MLS, if not better. Players like Beckford and Delph would walk into any side in the MLS, and there are plenty of others who could play there if they wanted.
Vale through and through<3.
lilmano9 1 week ago
Back at the Vale and playing for free?!!!! Woohoo!!!
daveyboyt1 1 week ago
Birchall is better than 98% of the starting 11 thats currently on T&T national side!
13Shotter 1 year ago 6
The commentators never put it together, but it was Birchall alone who was stabilizing T&T's half of the field and impeding US forays, in that subtle but significant sort of way that midfielders like Marcos Senna have... via reliable distribution, maintaining possession on T&T's side of the field, and always being positioned right where he needed to be.
And it's helped result in an undefeated record for the Galaxy through 9 games so far.
CognizantCheddar 1 year ago
@CognizantCheddar Birchall is no Ronaldinho or Iniesta but he is good at what he does and he is underrated.
keroncoward 1 year ago 5
It's no coincidence that Birchall's rise to a starter this season coincides with Galaxy's dominant start to the season... all sans Goldenballs.
I always knew he would be an excellent player in MLS, ever since I noticed the impact him being subbed off caused during a match between T&T and the US.
CognizantCheddar 1 year ago
I Know Him!!! HeHeHe...
thephil123456789 2 years ago
Birchall's gonna be great at LA Galaxy! He's joining them on July 15th. I'm so proud as a Trinidadian!
darkotrini 2 years ago
Good MLS clubs to watch right now:
Chivas, Fire, Sounders, DC United.
CognizantCheddar 2 years ago
Oh, and as for the people comparing MLS to England's lower-division leagues...
MLS is significantly better than League One. Ugh. MLS isn't very pretty, but I'd watch MLS over League One any time.
MLS is about equal to the Championship. If you disagree, you're ignorant, and probably a stuffy Englishman that's never even actually seen an MLS game, but instead lets similarly ignorant English media form your opinion for you.
CognizantCheddar 2 years ago
i have been to a galaxy game when i saw my cousins in America and it was shit nowhere near the campionship level
24911fitg 2 years ago
Well your first problem there is that you watched a Galaxy game, one of the worst clubs in MLS for the last 5 or 6 years. Beckham or not.
The worst clubs in Championship look about the same as the worst clubs in MLS. So when watching Galaxy, THAT needs to be your basis of comparison.
CognizantCheddar 2 years ago
Birchall is a solid, somewhat underrated player. If the Galaxy get him, he will be a fine addition to the team.
CognizantCheddar 2 years ago
Birchall is set i am glad we are selling him to Galaxy we dont want him he played 2 games and got us knocked out the cup as he missed the penaly brighton till i die
24911fitg 2 years ago
Do you still have high hopes for Chris Birchall? I watch with interest.
Loukoulo 2 years ago
Well, I think he's stuck behind Beckham now in the pecking order at his position, iirc.
Correct me if I'm wrong, though -- I'm not a Galaxy fan and I don't ever watch them.
CognizantCheddar 2 years ago
I like your opinions, Cheddar. The only reason I'm interested in Birchall is the fact that he married into the family of a friend of mine. It's funny how a little connection can get you interested in something... I can't get very excited about any Premiership teams, but Brighton and Port Vale are both places I'm tied to, so I follow the teams occasionally.
Loukoulo 2 years ago
@CognizantCheddar Birchall is utilized more as a defensive and central midfielder now. he can play as a CAM, CDM, or CM, but this year he's been paired with that brazilian wonder Juninho in the middle, with Birchall playing more defensively, I don't think they will utilize or deploy him out on the right anymore with his stellar play in the center
aesupafly29 1 year ago
If all goes well he will be joing the LA Galaxy with Beckham on July 15, 2009
deomartinez77 2 years ago
The same reason Beckham has gone to Madrid, though the MLS is growing, it is seen as a retirement option and a end of career option. If Birchall was in no doubt about joining the MLS, he would not be on trial at other clubs around the world would he?
arkcreatives 3 years ago
well how about Juan Toja? he came to the MLS and played only for a year and got signed by a team that was in the Champions League. What League One player has ever done that?
skittles2590 3 years ago
Who's heard of Juan Toja?
Colin Kazim-Richards was at us and League Two Bury before. Now he's scored against Chelsea in the Champions League. Slightly more impressive ...
Delph, who plays for Leeds, is being tracked by Man Utd and Beckford other Premier League clubs.
seagulltim 3 years ago
he may join brighton. oh and the mls is shit you could atleast call it football
rogem012 3 years ago
well thats america for ya, lol. we always screw shit up.
skittles2590 3 years ago
Not when they already have another sport called that. Idiot.
Anyway, the etymology of the word "soccer" is English in origin. American's didn't make it up -- you did.
CognizantCheddar 2 years ago
Amerian football is so crap any league one team could beat galaxy look at some videos of the fans they dont do a fucking thing u should look at the fans at even a league one team like brighton
24911fitg 2 years ago
that last goal was amazing! what a finish and hes only 24? wow, and hes coming to the MLS WOW just WOW
skittles2590 3 years ago
Hold your horses chap, he is now linked with Brighton and Hove Albion.
arkcreatives 3 years ago
of the english championship rite? MLS is better than the Championship come on. and plus its America. where would you rather go?
skittles2590 3 years ago
Even lower, English league One, however he was with manager Micky Adams at Coventry so they have close links.
arkcreatives 3 years ago
still, why would he want to go down to league one? in MLS he would be able to play against some great players(Juan Pablo Angel, Guillermo Barros Schelletto, Cuatemoc Blanco, and David Beckham for a few names) MLS is a rising league and League One is just bad
skittles2590 3 years ago
League One is as good as the MLS, if not better. Players like Beckford and Delph would walk into any side in the MLS, and there are plenty of others who could play there if they wanted.
seagulltim 3 years ago
who? Delph and Beckford?
skittles2590 3 years ago
Brighton is the best city in the world, who wouldent want to go there XD
SineyFtw 3 years ago 2
I can't wait to see you back in the Red, White and Black!!...
aaahhhh the memories...
smartiee74 3 years ago 2
welll done boss of a video
trinishotta100 3 years ago 4
A product of the Port Vale academy ;-)
alexpvfc 3 years ago
fricking 20 stars mih boi!!!
BIRCHALL IS BACK BABY!!! that goal against Bahrain was just a beauty and still runs chill up my spine ^_^
sun3nee 3 years ago
Is back indeed!! Is about time.... ME mum do your thing brother
macocious 3 years ago