P/I/P Game #8: Sporting KC v LA Galaxy, May 1, 2016@5PM PT

KC plays tonight (right now) so maybe we catch them a little tired and hopefully still off form. Have we won at sporting park? I can't recall but my memory is going...

 

They are playing a bunch of reserves tonight. I guess they view Sunday as the more important game.

 

I will be thrilled with a draw. We've never done that well in KC. We're not a good road team and KC are too good a team to lose 5 in a row or 4 of their last 5 depending on how tonight goes.

 

KC only played their reserves at the forward and GK positions. Otherwhise it was their starting defense and midfield.

Given our current form, their current form, and their midweek game, it'a totally winable game. But it's been years since our last win here. We said the same about Houston two weeks ago though.

Keane is back at full training but Bruce said he will likely not play this weekend. And he's right, there is no need to rush him and risk another injury (like last year). Zardes has performed well and will start against KC.

Lletget has trained but not fully, we'll probably hear more about him today. If I had to bet I think he won't play on Sunday, but of course I hope he'll be available.

 

As to Sebastian, at least that is a position where we have the depth that we can make sure he is fully ready before he gets back on the field. No reason to rush his recovery.

 

I agree, I'm just not overconfident in starting Boateng in a difficult away game (see my post in the other thread).

 

I think this would be a good game to start Boateng. KC at home should come out to attack, leaving space for Boateng to exploit. Although with the way we're playing, it wouldn't be too much of a shock if KC set up deep and looked to counter, even though they're at home.

 

Indeed it would make sense to start a player who's full of confidence, and using his speed in our counterattack style. We tried to do this a few times after his entrance in Houston but it didn't work.

I just think Lletget is better overall, but if he's injured we have to not take the risk. Next week with the return of Keane, Seba and De Jong it could be a blood bath against New England at home.

 

The team has had a couple great games against a really lousy team and a team missing key players. Its going to get tougher. There will be a point where they will need to play team defense from front to back. If that can be done this team can go far. The Galaxy will not go far if Keanne, Gerrard and Gio decide to not play defense. 10 against 7 does not work out against good teams no matter how solid a team is in the back.

 

I agree. SKC likes to press, which has disrupted our possession game in the past.

 

That's the key. If there's space, it's a game tailor made for Boateng. I think of him now as a spot starter depending on the matchup we face. My concern is that we still haven't developed a game for teams that sit back and counter, and that's what most teams should be doing against us.

 

If I recall correctly this is a small field. This should be a physical match. Sebastian would be a better choice but I doubt he will be ready,

 

I don't think Sporting Park is a small field. That is a relatively new soccer-specific stadium

 

You are correct - it is 120 x 75 which is the same as StubHub and as large as they come in MLS.

Edit: Montreal's Saputo is slightly larger at 120 x 77.

 

I must be thinking of their old field

 

They're winless in 3 or 4 I think. I'm expecting them to come out wanting to change that. As much as we want to say RSL was our first real test, I think this game will tell us more about this team.

 

Kevin Baxter ‏@kbaxter11 4m4 minutes ago
#LAGalaxy's Steven Gerrard missed training Friday with an injury His status for Sunday's game is uncertain

With De Jong still out, it could be Larentowicz and Husidic in the middle. We definitely lose some creativity with that pairing.

 

Darn. Going to miss Gerrard's long balls on counter situations. OTOH, we'll have a very stout midfield defensively. Not sure what to expect from this match. Hopefully SKC will be equally befuddled.

 

Sounds like a Kobe situation. Coach would be wise to give him Kobe minutes all year. Playing him 90 minutes a game is not realistic if you want to avoid injuries.

 

Well at least we'll all have memories of that one good game Gerrard had.

 

To be fair, it was two.

 

You mean two half's don't you, and they weren't in the same game.

 

I think Gerrard will not play, but Lletget is ready (http://www.lagalaxy.com/post/2016/0...elf-fit-after-overcoming-groin-injury-insider). Maybe we'll have a surprise with Keane?

So two options : start Baggio and Larentowicz in the midfield and pin our hopes in our front four (with Lletget or Boateng starting), or try Lletget in a CAM position. I think we'll see the first one.

We'll learn more if the club makes a little clip of our trip to KC today.