It's time. vs. Previous GameL.A. Galaxy 1-2 Seattle Sounders Keane 68'Los Angeles advances 4-2 on aggregate VenueHome Depot Center, Carson CaliforniaMaximum Capacity: 27,000 ~ Average Attendance: 23,136Field Dimensions: 120 x 75 yardsSurface: Grass CoverageAudio: AM 1150, 1330 AM (SP)TV: ESPNOnline: LAGalaxy.com, atdhe.eu, justin.tv/dysreflexx LET'S GO GALAXY!ONWARDS & UPWARDS
I've started a new sticky thread, the previous responses are here - (no way to merge them these days) - https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/...o-12-1-12-1-30-p-m-pst.1978353/#post-26809104
How dare you!! We don't have time to discuss things as trivial as the MLS Cup!! BECKHAM IS LEAVING AND WE WANT TO POINTLESSLY SPECULATE WHERE HE'S GOING NEXT SEASON!!! Sheesh! Get some priorities!!
Any news out of Houston on Ricardo Clark's health? While we concern ourselves with the health of Juninho and Donovan, he may be the key for them defensively.
Houston is a curious opponent. In some ways they’re the most difficult opponent we’ve faced in the play-offs in that they have a similar level of experience and, for lack of a better term, will to win. On the field though, I think we match-up quite well. Their back-line is slow and susceptible to the types of play we excel at, if Landon is fit he and Robbie are going to really keep them busy. Their forwards and wing players don’t strike me as particularly speedy, but they are tenacious. Really the games against DC were more about catching DC’s defense napping and then just some dogged hustling to put the ball in the back of the net. They are very strong on set pieces and shots from outside the 18 where we’ve been rather weak this season so there’s a big danger there. 2011 they basically played a game to keep us from scoring and never really ventured too far forward. I think with a healthy Davis we might see more attacking impetuous which would play to our strengths. This could be one of the more entertaining MLS Cup Finals.
I agree with this. Also, not just Davis that we have to watch out for. I would say OBG is just as dangerous as him and they complement each other really well. We will need to stay alert so hopefully everyone's positions and duties are totally fleshed out and practiced beforehand. Bruin is hot also and their offense has totally evolved over the year, thanks to Kinnear and the 4-3-3. Keeping the ball away from them and lightning quick counters will work the best in our favor but don't discount using our possession to overload a side and create numerous chances. Landon being healthy is key as always.
I was not impressed with the Eastern Conference this year. NYRB and DC always struck me as pretenders. KC and Houston are the two teams that I was the most concerned about. Houston is a good team, but I they are not as talented and dangerous as San Jose, Seattle, or RSL (for that matter). However, they are more than capable of beating us. We just need to come out like we did against Seattle in the first leg.
The healthier team gets the edge in this one. Gonzilla will then take that edge and eat it. And Mike Magee will run through the resulting hole and score a goal for the Good Guys...
Really interesting and good article on our attack patterns in the playoffs: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...winger-what-patterns-play-key-las-playoff-run
Good luck to the guys! Honestly I'm not as confident as we were last year for this game. I think it'll be 50-50% chances on both sides. The question is who are healthier and quicker - mentally and physically - to win it? ...of course, I too am hoping Dec. 1 would arrive a lot slower than I would like.
Here's hoping Landon Donovan and every LA player is healthy and ready for action on December 1st. The Dynamo roster looks strong and I'm hoping Rico Clark and Calen Carr are both fit to play. I think they will be. I want the two best possible teams out there and let the chips fall where they may.
Some choice learnings from the Houston board: 1. Landon Donovan will disappear in this game. Uh, what? What part of 32 goals and assists in 32 playoff games leads you to this? And the fact that the last two playoff games he was stellar. There's only one question: will he be healthy? 2. We only need to pay attention to LD and David Beckham because our defense will handle Robbie Keane. I distinctly remember this statement last year applied to LD. Let's all remember how that turned out. Sure Houston. You go right on ahead and think this. 3. Waaaaaahhhhhhh - it's all about David Beckham. No one cares about us! This shouldn't have surprised you last year, and it shouldn't have surprised you this year. Welcome to playing LA. 4. Ricardo Clark needs to stick to DB. Yes, true. Could be a foul fest as a result. Also means Juninho will need to step up. 5. Protect against the counter. Also true. Wondering how we maximize this. Think it means we have to play Willy out right over Sarvas to start. (Willy. Work on your finishing skills for two weeks man. For the love of God.) Sarvas comes in once/if we have a lead or Willy gets tired. 6. Be physical and stick to LA players. Also true. So we need ball movement. And tons of it. Don't rely just on the counter. Don't think this should be an issue for us knowing how we've played against SJ and Seattle. 7. Brad Davis > David Beckham By comparing their goals and assist tally and cost. Which shows they have zero understanding of how our team operates. Davis = LM with fantastic crosses and decent set pieces. Beckham = central playmaker that drifts right with a great right foot. Yeah, can see how you can mix those two up. Also, Davis IS Houston's playmaker, everything goes through him. David Beckham is not LA's primary playmaker. 8. Houson needs to play a high line This will lead to a very open game. There are some relevant points in here, and some homer ones, which I'm sure is what our board looks like too. Just thought it was interesting.
I think this is either team's game. Neither team was dominant during the year, both are fighting a few injury and rust issues, and both teams turned on the jets in the playoffs to beat good opponents with smart game plans and good finishing. There are a few changes from last year, Rico Clark being one, and Will Bruin being the other for Houston. Bruin has really come on. Losing Cameron does hurt them though. For the Galaxy, I think the offense is working better than last year, but the frailties against set pieces are new. Overall, hard to call. it's always tough for a team to repeat and usually a rematch favors the loser of the first game. Expect Houston to be even MORE physical than last time and to0 play extremely dirty. (Again, see their close-out game against SKC.) I think we win 2-1 though, and here's why: last year we had poor Adam Cristman running his ass off to absolutely no effect at all. I know Adam played hard, and I have no hard feelings against him, but he KILLED a bunch of our attacks and gave the ball up numerous times. We will not have that black hole this time. I think you're going to see a Houston team that is scared of the counter and keeps people int he box from the get go, and manhandles our forwards whne they are outside the box. Beckham is absolutely going to get some cracks at goal this game and could be the difference in the game. I don't see Houston winning the midfield battle unless Juninho and Donovan are out, so i see us playing in their half of the field a lot of the night. Omar and whoever is playing next to him (either Meyer or AJ) need to really stay alert, because the counter is where they are going to try and hurt us as well,a nd they are going to want to get set piece situations as well. I would love to say we're in for open, attacking soccer, but I don't think so. I think we're in for a cagey match where the spot of the foul is important, tactics are important, and the team that finds the final pass to split the defense is going to go on to win. One final reason for saying Galaxy 2-1: I really don't feel like betting against Robbie Keane right now. He's the biggest handful in MLS right now, he's feeling it and pounding them in, and he looks like he's loving every minute of it. I'm betting Bruin shrinks a little bit in the spotlight, whereas Robbie is just looking for a chance to do a somersault.
My honest prediction is 3-1 for LA. BIGGEST QUESTION: If AJ is healthy do you start him over Myer? Myer has been doing very well and is it worth risking a rusty AJ coming off injury?
I like how well Myer has contributed, but after seeing Omar lost last game versus Seattle because of his lack of experience with Myer, I'd go with a rusty AJ then a fit Myer. Myer is good, but that back line with AJ, SF, TD, and OG has logged many hours together and in big games. Thus, I'd go with AJ if he's fit to go.
big if i think Myer is probably the future of the Galaxy and what he has shown has been very promising. If AJ can get a solid week of training then great if he can't then im wary
This is a super-tough question for Bruce and if he gets it wrong could be an uh-oh. My prediction: Meyer starts. AJ hasn't been practicing, just individual training, and he's got quite a bit of rust on him now. I think Bruce goes with what he is sure of. If AJ gets out there, is terrible and has to be pulled off after giving up a goal we would be in terrible trouble against a team like Houston. I think you have to sit him. The timing on this is terrible.