Ultimatum in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Galaxy owner Phil Anschutz has apparently seen enough and is threatening to make extreme changes within the organization if the club does not get back on track right away.

Anschutz, often referred to as the Godfather of Major League Soccer, reportedly sent AEG right-hand-man Tim Leiweke to the club’s locker room before last weekend’s game to communicate his frustration with the club’s lack of recent success. In that impromptu meeting, Leiweke allegedly gave the team a two-week window to show improvement, or face being exchanged for new personnel.

That was before last weekend’s disappointing 3-2 loss to expansion San Jose, with a last-minute Ryan Cochrane goal proving to be the difference. The Galaxy now have until August 14th to regroup before taking on intra-stadium rivals Chivas USA in what is now being called a ‘must-win’ for LA.

The Galaxy were at the top of the Western Conference standings as recently as early July, but a 7-game winless streak has seen them sink to fourth place in the West, and its looking more and more like they will miss the playoffs for a third consecutive season. They now sit just five points ahead of the last-place team in MLS.

It’s not clear whose position is most at risk, but general manager Alexi Lalas is likely at the top of the list of those who would be fired first. A series of questionable trades over the past two years has had many supporters wishing the axe would finally fall on the former U.S. defender. Head coach Ruud Gullit’s seat is probably quite warm as well, with reports coming out of Los Angeles stating that he has clashed heads with now-gone defender Abel Xavier and star Landon Donovan, as well as Lalas.