Midweek game, broadcast on TWCS and TWCD. Huge game, a battle for the Supporters Shield, against the most improved team in MLS, a total surprise to yours truly. Last year on September 14th, we went to DC and tied an abysmal team, one of the worst in MLS history, 2-2. This year features the return of long-time Galaxy right back/midfielder Sean Franklin, who is doing very well helping in DC's turnaround. He will likely go up against his former teammates Donovan and DeLaGarza in the battle for 3 points. Who will put in the better crosses - Franklin or Gargan? My money is on Dan G.
I'll go with Dan G as well. As much as I liked Franklin as an original member of our defensive fab-four Dan has been an upgrade. Fully as good defensively, more aggressive when fighting for 50-50 balls, and better going forward. Should be a good contest between two top of the table teams. And something a bit weird will probably happen - usually does between DC and LA.
Let's get that win and start to put a little bit of doubt in some of our competitors minds for the SS. Think Johnson might be back for this game so hopefully he plays. He slows down their offense in a way that it wasn't this weekend. Serrano said Rogers might be back so I move AJ inside and drop Leo. Basically same lineup otherwise.
Except sometimes it's all drama plus goals. He is a jerk, but can be a handful if he takes it into his mind to actually try.
Yeah, but I think Omar can handle him. Hopefully I'm not eating my words on Wednesday. He'll be rested, at least.
If you look back at historical results there's a weird symmetry between DC and LA where in a given season the teams would trade away wins, often times high scoring as well. It’s not been the same since the unbalanced schedule. I'll say this – I’d have preferred to play them on the originally scheduled date. Franklin’s crosses have looked decent this season and Espindola almost always finds a way to punish us. DC has scored 7 in their last two, including a 3-0 win at SKC and prior to that 2-1 and 3-0 wins over Toronto FC. Throw in the fact the MLS rule that demands former Galaxy players score against us and the apparently new rule that previous Bruce players turned coach must have good games against LA I’m going with at least 2 goals for DC in the first half, one of which scored by Franklin or Opare.
At least Opare has no minutes for them yet. It would feel worse if he was a starter for them during their recent win streak. I'm still mad about losing him for essentially nothing though.
I don't think that Opare has appeared yet for DC in MLS. I've been curious to see how he does and, unless I've missed it, he's not yet taken the field. EDIT -damn, beaten to it.
This could be a preview of MLS Cup. I fully expect a win, despite Espindola's evil ways. I hope we win......
Haven't been excited for a regular season game in a long time. The true Clasico of MLS. I'm expecting a great game.
Sean's tactical preview. Fear for Leonardo: http://cornerofthegalaxy.com/2014/0...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
Another superb analysis from Sean. And he's right - with Espindola on the field we should be very worried about Leo, if he plays. I also liked the vids at the end showing a couple ways our offense (Marcelo in particular) breaks down defenses.
So if Rogers is still out, do we slot in Dunivant again (who had a poor game in Colorado but has had a chance to recover and get in more reps in practice) so we can move AJDLG inside? Or do we go with Leo again? I bet I know what most people would prefer....
By god we must win I don't care who is on the pitch we are LA Galaxy football club and we must act like it!