TSN2 · MLS LIVE · TWCSN-LA Gyasi Zardes scored two goals in a game for the fourth time in his MLS career as the Galaxy won for the second time this season last time out – both wins at StubHub Center – in their 3-1 defeat of the San Jose Earthquakes on March 19. Pedro Morales scored his fourth consecutive goal – all over the last three games, all from the penalty spot – as Whitecaps FC won for a second consecutive match in a 1-0 win against the Houston Dynamo on Saturday at BC Place. The ‘Caps are the first team in MLS history to score four consecutive goals over three games all from penalty kicks. Whitecaps FC won both meetings between the teams last season, a 2-0 win April 4 at BC Place, then a 1-0 win June 6 at StubHub Center. The Galaxy were 9-1-2 vs. Vancouver over the first 12 meetings between the teams, before last season. The Whitecaps FC in the second meeting a year ago was their first ever vs. the Galaxy in Carson. The Galaxy had won the first six regular season home meetings with Whitecaps FC, outscoring them 13-1; they also took a victory there in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs, a 2-1 win in the Knockout Round. Injury report: Galaxy OUT: GK Dan Kennedy (partial groin tear 3/8, out 1 month) - REPORT F Giovani dos Santos (left leg injury, DNP 3/19) M Jeff Larentowicz (groin injury, DNP 3/19) D Leonardo (leg injury, DNP 3/19) F Jose Villarreal (leg injury, DNP 3/19) M Steven Gerrard (calf injury) F Robbie Keane (knee injury) - REPORT Van OUT: D Christian Dean (left foot injury) OUT: M Russell Teibert (left calf strain) OUT: M Ben McKendry (left knee surgery) Also, forward Masato Kudo is suspended for this match
Both Ari Lassiter and Mendiola were not in the LAII 18 v St. Louis. I would definitely think Lassiter makes the bench for Vancouver but do folks think Mendiola might also make it as well?
That's a hefty injury report for the Galaxy. Add to it that Zardes may be a bit worn out from international duty and we could see some new faces (Lassiter and Boateng?). At least De Jong isn't listed as out.
Kudo suspended for Vancouver http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/...uspends-vancouvers-masato-kudo-fines-two-more
Depends upon what they found when they scoped him, but even a fairly routine surgery with little work done can put someone out for an activity like professional soccer for a month. Anything more than a look-see can be 6-8 weeks.
Even if he did, doubt he would be able to get Ireland's manager and Bruce Arena to go along with him on it AND agree to sit out both Ireland games to give credence to the gag. Kevin Baxter Verified account @kbaxter11 33m33 minutes ago Keane was sent home from Irish team w/knee pain he couldn't explain. Had it scoped Thurs. Coach Bruce Arena: "recovery time is TBD." Keane Injury Worry
Adam Serrano Verified account @LAGalaxyInsider #LAGalaxy announce that Robbie Keane will be out four to six weeks after undergoing orthoscopic surgery on his right knee. That's actually not horrible news since it suggests it was fairly minor. Of course, it doesn't tell us when he will be match fit and in form again. Might not be until the summer.
Well...CRAP. This means Gyasi has to step up. And hopefully Villareal is uninjured at this point and can play? Glad we picked up Magee now.
Depth getting tested early this year. Curious how the team holds up. This is the kind of stuff that you expect to happen with old DP's, and plan for, and then hope it's GOOD depth you have, not just "depth."
Craaaaaaaaaaap. I guess this is karma for wishing ill on Gerrard. Serves us right. Do not at all want to downplay the loss of Keane who is surely one of the top 5 most dangerous players in the league, but the silver lining is at least this opens up some interesting possibilities to assemble a more balanced/complimentary front four. Still, ouch.
Jose got about 35 minutes with G2 last night so he's at least healthy enough for 30 minutes. Magee certainly will get the start but we're also down one more attacker, and knowing Bruce it will be Gordon. Against a quick team like Vancouver, I think having Boateng and Zardes on the wings may be advantageous (so long as Boateng actually puts in some defensive effort). If we were playing a 4-2-3-1, it would be something close to: -----------------Magee-------------- ---Boateng---Lletget--Zardes---- ----------Husidic--de Jong------- Granted that's probably not our optimal configuration as I'm not sold on Boateng and Magee probably struggles as a lone forward if we don't get enough support to him (and given our typical away stance, we won't). If we're running a 4-2-3-1 I'd probably prefer Larentowicz alongside de Jong to give additional midfield bite that Husidic doesn't offer just to give a bit more freedom to the front four. I imagine we'll run a standard 4-4-2 with Zardes and Lletget on the wings and Magee and Gordon up top, Husidic and de Jong in the middle. Jelle will continuously launch long balls forward toward Gordon and likely nothing comes of it. I'm rather pessimistic about our road form. I'm also worried about the left side of our defense being exposed. Both Jelle and Cole have been caught making forward runs at the same time, leaving the entire left side of our defense with a gaping hole that a quick countering team like Vancouver could easily exploit. I know people have quickly jumped on the Cole and Van Damme trains but I'm not there yet for either, particularly since they don't seem to have developed a sense for each other's positioning just yet. I think Van Damme is a bit erratic in his forward movements and every time he gets the ball around half line you can just see him teeing it up for a long ball forward and that just isn't how I want us to play.
Anyone else just shocked that our old players are injured? Will be interesting to see what we throw out there on Saturday.
Wondering how Cole will hold up on turf, I've seen nothing about him being worried or complaining about it (yet). I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench with Romney on the left and Rogers on the right and Steres and Van Damme in the middle. Now that Keane is out, we actually have a lot more tactical flexibility, which could be a blessing in disguise. If Gio gets healthy he can play as #10, which is his best position, and hopefully put in some DP performances. It would also allow players like Villareal, Lleget, and Mendiola to play in their more natural positions. I obviously wish Keane was fit and healthy every game, but he won't be around for ever. We have a lot of talented young players in the attack these next couple of weeks will be important for them to step and perform. I wouldn't be opposed to starting someone like Lassister up top. We haven't looked good offensively this season, and our away form has been horrible for almost 2 years now, why not go for it?
I guess this is why we have so much depth. Now does Bruce go a 4-4-2 with Gordon and Zardes up top and Magee and Lletget on the wings, or do we see Gordon and Magee up top?
BTW, I think we're seeing Keane's Swan Song. My prediction for this year: he comes back healthy, it takes him about 5-6 games to round back into form (don't forget he goes through cold spells and for him, playing through them seems to be the cure) and gets reasonably hot towards the end of the year and scores goals. But then next year the bottom falls out.
If I had to guess, and all those guys are healthy and ready to start, I'd guess Gordon and Magee up top with Zardes and Lletget as inverted wingers.... Although I bet Magee will have the freedom to roam and drop back and help link up play in the midfield...
I'd like to see Da Boy in the Hole. I like De Jong with Baggio on the road. Go Galaxy! EDIT: Oops, totally forgot about Gio.
FWIW, i believe this is our 18 for tomorrow: rowe diop cole romney steres aj van damme rogers baggio garcia de jong zardes magic mike lassiter da boy bjiv boateng gordo Bruce may have given me a heads up or the info might have come from looking at the pictures here http://www.lagalaxy.com/gallery/pho...in-vancouver-s-bc-place-ahead-whitecaps-match