Facing the Yankees (aka LA Galaxy)

I sat down last night and watched the SuperClásico match between LA/Chivas trying to gauge what is going to happen this Thursday night when our beloved Union face the LA Galaxy. The game was entertaining to say the least, especially when Alan Gordon was cleated in the chest and his shirt ripped open showing the wounds. While viewing, there were a couple of things that kept popping into my head while watching. 1) LA does not dive as much as other teams in the MLS, which is nice.

2) LA’s speed: The front line is extremely fast in Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, with David Beckham feeding them from the middle. I am not sure how the Union is going to defend. It should to be interesting.

3) Donovan Ricketts and the defense: Ricketts is a monster in net. Tall, fast, and can direct his defense. LA has only given up 22 goals all season, however, the Union accounted for one of the 22. It will be interesting to see what type of shots Danny Mwanga and Seba LeToux pull off against him. LA’s defense in not as strong or fast as the rest of the team, so long balls and possession offense really seem to have an effect on them.

4) The starters:

A) LA clinched a playoff spot and currently have the best record in the MLS. I am not sure if they are playing for the supporters shield or if Bruce Arena is more interested in resting his starters coming off of a short week and travel across the country. I can see Beckham playing most of the game, but Donovan or Buddle, I would not be surprised to see only one of them start with the other coming off of the bench. Both Buddle (89th minute) and Beckham (64th minute) were subbed for during the game on Sunday night.

B) Will the Union play the starters? This is an interesting question considering who started last week. At first I assumed that because this is the national televised MLS Game of the Week that Nowak would have to play many of the normal starters, but his quote on Philly.com about what the team is going to take in for next season, I am not so sure. I would not be surprised to see Jack McInerney and Mwanga up front, Jacobson, Zimmerman, Nakazawa and LeToux in the midfield, and Williams, González, Salinas, and Orozco Fiscal with Knighton behind them.

5) The matchup: Last time the Union faced the Galaxy it was in LA for the 5th game of the season. The Union was still trying to figure out what there game was, and played a man down for most of the second half after Stefani Miglioranzi was red carded. This is a different team all together now and I would not be surprised to see the Union pull off a win.

This is our last night game and second to last home game of the season. I am expecting for the fans to be some of the loudest we have heard all season. I can’t wait to be apart of it.