Galaxy-Dynamo at Home Depot Center
Good evening from Victoria Street where the green paint is gone from the field and the turf looks vastly improved over the Toronto game last weekend.
Injuries have enforced changes for the (1-2-0) Galaxy tonight, Although goalkeeper Steve Cronin, suffering from a left groin strain, passed a late fitness test, denying Josh Wicks the opportunity to make his MLS debut.
The back line remains the same: Sean Franklin and Greg Vanney in the center of defense with Mike Randolph expected to overlap from left back and Chris Klein playing on the right.
Josh Tudela replaces Ely Allen (right hamstring strain) wide on the left, with David Beckham on the right and Brandon McDonald in the middle alongside Alan Gordon, who drops into midfield to deputize for Brazilian Alvaro Pires, out with a left knee issue. Incidentally, Gordon hasn't played in midfield since the first game of the Galaxy's preseason Asian tour, when he scored from the deep lying position.
New signing Joey Franchino is on the bench.
The (0-1-2) Dynamo, winless on the road so far this season, will see former Gretna goalkeeper Tony Kaig, 34, continue to deputize for veteran Pat Onstad (shoulder) in goal.
Wade Barrett, (201 MLS starts as of tonight and counting), Bobby Boswell, Patrick Ianni and Richard Mulrooney are arrayed across the back line, while Ricardo Clark (done with his lengthy suspension) makes his second successive start in midfield, behind Dwayne De Rosario. Brad Davis and Brian Mullan patrol the flanks, with Bring Ching and 21-year-old Argentine striker Franco Caraccio providing the one-two punch up front.
Defender Eddie Robinson is out, missing the first game of a three match suspension, while Craig Waibel (hamstring) is also absent.
The game is on Fox Sports West, by the way.
I'll be back at half time.
About 100 Percent Soccer
Sportswriter Nick Green has written the 100 Percent Soccer column since 2005 for the Daily News, Daily Breeze and other Los Angeles area newspapers. The blog of the same name began in 2007. A native of England, he began writing about soccer in the mid-1980s and in 2000 permanently exchanged a seat in the stands for one in the press box. He lives six miles from Carson's Home Depot Center, home of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Chivas USA and the training headquarters for U.S. Soccer and is married to a long-suffering soccer widow. Join Nick on FaceBook and follow him on Twitter.
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