Wednesday Galaxy Gameday
The 7-4-10 Galaxy play the 9-4-8 Fire in Chicago live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m.
A Galaxy win would vault them over recent conquerors the Sounders for second place in the Western Conference; a Fire victory would see them pull within a point of Eastern Conference leaders Columbus (who incidentally beat the Puerto Rican Islanders 2-0 in the CONCACAF Champions League last night, winning on a goal by Rolling Hills Estates' Robbie Rogers). But the Galaxy have never won at Toyota Park (in four attempts); the Fire won both games (home and away) against the Galaxy last season.
Both David Beckham and Eddie Lewis are suspended because of their straight red cards against the Sounders (and these are two of the team's wise veteran leaders?).
The Galaxy has four official viewing parties scheduled tonight.
BTW, Galaxy striker Alecko Eskandarian remains out injured, but he's been talking up this auction on his Facebook page being held by his favorite charity (hmm, would you pay at least $50 for Sacha Kljestan's 2009 MNT Confederations Cup jersey?).
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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.
Much tougher without Buddle, Eskanderian, Beckham and Lewis (in that order, I'd say), but still do-able.
This is a huge game after the loss last weekend. There won't be bigger ones during the regular season until the nightmarish sequence of Columbus (away), Chicago (home) and Houston (away) near the end.
If the G's win, they get a chance to recover and heal up in preparation for that last push and the playoffs.
If they lose, it shows the Galaxy are really not in the top tier of MLS yet. That would remain a three-club group, with the Galaxy and Chivas and others occasionally nipping at their heels.
I take the 3 points. Chicago was very lethargic with no fight in them at all. They all looked down starting with a very sad looking coach on the bench. Soumare is a very key player for them in defense and it should with a very pedestrian Magee actually being effective.
Jovan was my player of the match. AJ recovered well from the Seattle game stinker. Dema is really needed on this line up. Hope he is not hurt too bad.
Landon, one play, one goal, game over. Astonishing.