Fresh off the first point of the month against Portland on Wednesday, the Galaxy now turn their attention to a Chivas USA team that has been more interesting off the field than it has been on it. In MLS play, The Roji-blancos have not won a game since March 30th vs. Vancouver and have not scored more than one goal since April 27th. Combine that with the seemingly endless distractions stemming from the Chivas front office and you would think that this game would be an easy route for LA.
However, the Galaxy have issues on both sides of the ball of their own to work out. Chivas’ lack of an offensive spark bodes well for a Galaxy backline who gave up 10 goals over the last 4 games in all completions. The backline should include Omar Gonzalez, who is returning from international duty with the US men’s national team and should help bolster a defense that held Portland to four shots on goal last week. The offense has also been lethargic as of late, only scoring one goal during the month of June and have not had a multi-goal game since routing Seattle 4-0 back in May.
On paper, this game will be the most boring drab affair since ever…but it’s the SuperClasico, so you’re wrong. Probably. Hopefully.
It’s a rivalry that LA has dominated in spectacular fashion. With an overall record of 16-4-6 in MLS regular season play coming into today’s match and 7 wins while” away” on top of LA regaining possibly the two biggest pieces of their starting XI in Robbie Keane and the aforementioned Gonzalez, LA is very likely to have a big breakthrough against a Chivas team that doesn’t seem to know what their plan is.
Add to all of this, the always physical nature of the SuperClasico. The last four games between these two neighbors have seen 12 yellow cards and 2 reds, one of those being rescinded by the MLS Disciplinary Committee this year. Regardless of the standings or where the two teams at, Clasico games always seem to bring out the best and worst of both teams out. The Galaxy will need to show the discipline and composure they showed against Portland and get more out of the offensive third for the Galaxy to prevail with an expected win today.
Projected Starting XI for LA:
GK: Cudicini
D: Dunivant, Gonzalez, DeLaGarza, Dunivant
MF: Zardes, Sarvas, Juninho, Rogers
F: Donovan, Keane
