Played
August 1, 2010 7:30 PM EDT
Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
August 1, 2010 7:30 PM EDT
Home Depot Center, Carson, Calif.
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Los Angeles Galaxy Vs Chicago Fire: Head To Head Preview
By Jonathan Vera and Isaac Heath
On Form
Los Angeles Galaxy: Well, what can one say is 'on form' about a club that got humiliated 4-1 at home by a second division team (Puerto Rico Islanders)? It's difficult, but I'm up for a challenge. LA has been doing well controlling the ball on the pitch and pushing the defense further back. The pressure they impose on the opposition has given them opportunities to take their shots. In this past week's CONCACAF Champions League match up, LA tallied 23 shots.
Chicago Fire: It is scary to think about where the Fire would be this year if it weren’t for the solid play of Wilman Conde. The Colombian international has been strong in the back for Chicago all year, and most recently scored a goal against Pumas in the Superliga. The team will continue to lean on the tall center back the rest of the year, as the Fire’s spotty goalkeeping and lack of firepower have made things difficult.
Off Target
Los Angeles: The Galaxy goalkeeping has been in a downward spiral since the beginning of July. In the first four months of the MLS season LA net-minding only allowed fours goals (including friendlies and the U.S. Open Cup), but in the one month span of July, Donovan Ricketts and Josh Saunders have allowed a combined 12 goals into their net. They are controlling the ball, creating chances, taking shots, but nothing seems to be getting on the board for them. Some veterans in the club appear at times antsy on the pitch and chuck the ball at inopportune time in hope of a miracle goal. The machine is damaged and in dire need of a tune-up.
Chicago: Andrew Dykstra has not been too strong this year. It was a dangerous move to release fan favorite Jon Busch, and Klopas seems to be paying for that decision. This week de los Cobos has been trying to decide between starting Dykstra or going with young goal keeper Sean Johnson.
Tactics
Los Angeles: Predicting coach Bruce Arena's tactics is going to be a little bit more difficult than before. With the stacked schedule, the questionable performances by veterans, and other variables, there's no telling what Arena will do. The sure thing is Edson Buddle and Tristan Bowen will be leading the way, with Landon Donovan, Michael Stephens, and Juninho in the middle. The fourth midfielder is anyone's guess. Ricketts will be at net with Todd Dunivant coming back from rest, Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, and Sean Franklin in "D." However, that 11th person will be what breaks or makes this team.
Chicago: Given all the changes that have gone on recently, and the fact that they are playing the mighty LA Galaxy on the road, expect to see the Fire play extremely defensively. Nyarko and Pappa should once again feature as counter attack specialists, and it will also be interesting to see if and how de los Cobos uses newly acquired DP Nery Castillo.
Intangibles
Los Angeles: The Galaxy were fortunate Arena was selected as the MLS All-Star coach. The mastermind could have easily showcased his All-Star quadruplet (Donovan, Buddle, Ricketts, Omar Gonzalez), but instead opted for minimal game time or none at all. So, there should be no excuses of heavy legs in this next match. Meanwhile, Chicago is going to come into LA fully loaded, looking to take advantage of a wounded team.
Chicago: Will Nery play? That is the biggest question around the Fire camp. I believe de los Cobos will break him in easy and give him limited minutes on Sunday. However another huge question mark is if he plays, how will he help improve a lifeless attack?
Outcome
Los Angeles: The Galaxy have a lot to make up for after that sorry display Tuesday night. The event was called "a wake up call" or "rude awakening" by some in the club. So, we'll just have to see if they can bounce back. I think they will, but will still allow some goals. LA, Chicago draw at the Home Depot Center.
Chicago: LA will be too much for the Fire and take this one 3-1.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Los Angeles Galaxy: Well, what can one say is 'on form' about a club that got humiliated 4-1 at home by a second division team (Puerto Rico Islanders)? It's difficult, but I'm up for a challenge. LA has been doing well controlling the ball on the pitch and pushing the defense further back. The pressure they impose on the opposition has given them opportunities to take their shots. In this past week's CONCACAF Champions League match up, LA tallied 23 shots.
Chicago Fire: It is scary to think about where the Fire would be this year if it weren’t for the solid play of Wilman Conde. The Colombian international has been strong in the back for Chicago all year, and most recently scored a goal against Pumas in the Superliga. The team will continue to lean on the tall center back the rest of the year, as the Fire’s spotty goalkeeping and lack of firepower have made things difficult.
Off Target
Los Angeles: The Galaxy goalkeeping has been in a downward spiral since the beginning of July. In the first four months of the MLS season LA net-minding only allowed fours goals (including friendlies and the U.S. Open Cup), but in the one month span of July, Donovan Ricketts and Josh Saunders have allowed a combined 12 goals into their net. They are controlling the ball, creating chances, taking shots, but nothing seems to be getting on the board for them. Some veterans in the club appear at times antsy on the pitch and chuck the ball at inopportune time in hope of a miracle goal. The machine is damaged and in dire need of a tune-up.
Chicago: Andrew Dykstra has not been too strong this year. It was a dangerous move to release fan favorite Jon Busch, and Klopas seems to be paying for that decision. This week de los Cobos has been trying to decide between starting Dykstra or going with young goal keeper Sean Johnson.
Tactics
Los Angeles: Predicting coach Bruce Arena's tactics is going to be a little bit more difficult than before. With the stacked schedule, the questionable performances by veterans, and other variables, there's no telling what Arena will do. The sure thing is Edson Buddle and Tristan Bowen will be leading the way, with Landon Donovan, Michael Stephens, and Juninho in the middle. The fourth midfielder is anyone's guess. Ricketts will be at net with Todd Dunivant coming back from rest, Omar Gonzalez, Gregg Berhalter, and Sean Franklin in "D." However, that 11th person will be what breaks or makes this team.
Chicago: Given all the changes that have gone on recently, and the fact that they are playing the mighty LA Galaxy on the road, expect to see the Fire play extremely defensively. Nyarko and Pappa should once again feature as counter attack specialists, and it will also be interesting to see if and how de los Cobos uses newly acquired DP Nery Castillo.
Intangibles
Los Angeles: The Galaxy were fortunate Arena was selected as the MLS All-Star coach. The mastermind could have easily showcased his All-Star quadruplet (Donovan, Buddle, Ricketts, Omar Gonzalez), but instead opted for minimal game time or none at all. So, there should be no excuses of heavy legs in this next match. Meanwhile, Chicago is going to come into LA fully loaded, looking to take advantage of a wounded team.
Chicago: Will Nery play? That is the biggest question around the Fire camp. I believe de los Cobos will break him in easy and give him limited minutes on Sunday. However another huge question mark is if he plays, how will he help improve a lifeless attack?
Outcome
Los Angeles: The Galaxy have a lot to make up for after that sorry display Tuesday night. The event was called "a wake up call" or "rude awakening" by some in the club. So, we'll just have to see if they can bounce back. I think they will, but will still allow some goals. LA, Chicago draw at the Home Depot Center.
Chicago: LA will be too much for the Fire and take this one 3-1.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Chicago Fire
- 19.44 %
-
Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 Chicago Fire
- 13.89 %
-
Los Angeles Galaxy 2-0 Chicago Fire
- 11.11 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Mar 3, 2013 | Los Angeles Galaxy 4 - Chicago Fire 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 8, 2012 | Chicago Fire 0 - Los Angeles Galaxy 2 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 9, 2011 | Los Angeles Galaxy 2 - Chicago Fire 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Apr 17, 2011 | Chicago Fire 1 - Los Angeles Galaxy 2 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 4, 2010 | Chicago Fire 1 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1 |
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
    |
||
| May 15, 2013 | Philadelphia Union 1 - Los Angeles Galaxy 4 | MLS |
| May 11, 2013 | Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1 | MLS |
| May 5, 2013 | Los Angeles Galaxy 0 - Houston Dynamo 1 | MLS |
| Apr 27, 2013 | Real Salt Lake 0 - Los Angeles Galaxy 2 | MLS |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Los Angeles Galaxy 2 - Sporting Kansas City 0 | MLS |
Chicago Fire
|
||
| May 18, 2013 | Philadelphia Union 1 - Chicago Fire 0 | MLS |
| May 11, 2013 | Chicago Fire 0 - Philadelphia Union 1 | MLS |
| Apr 27, 2013 | Montreal Impact 2 - Chicago Fire 0 | MLS |
| Apr 20, 2013 | Chicago Fire 1 - Columbus Crew 0 | MLS |
| Apr 14, 2013 | Houston Dynamo 2 - Chicago Fire 1 | MLS |
| - | Donovan Ricketts | Goalkeeper |
| 28 | Sean Franklin | Defender |
| 14 | Edson Buddle | Striker |
| 11 | Tristan Bowen | Striker |
| - | Jovan Kirovski | Striker |
| 33 | Chris Birchall | Midfielder |
| 2 | Todd Dunivant | Defender |
| 26 | Michael Stephens | Midfielder |
| 16 | Gregg Berhalter | Defender |
| 4 | Omar Gonzalez | Defender |
| 10 | Landon Donovan | Striker |
| 12 | Josh Saunders | Goalkeeper |
| 20 | A.J. DeLaGarza | Defender |
| 22 | Jose Leonardo Ribeiro da Silva | Defender |
| - | Bryan Jordan | Striker |
| 88 | Alex Cazumba | Defender |
| - | Dema Kovalenko | Midfielder |
| 24 | Alan Gordon | Striker |
| - | Dasan Robinson | Defender |
| - | C.J. Brown | Defender |
| 7 | Krzysztof Krol | Defender |
| 15 | Collins John | Striker |
| 18 | Mike Banner | Midfielder |
| - | Baggio Husidic | Midfielder |
| 25 | Sean Johnson | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Wilman Conde | Defender |
| 12 | Logan Pause | Midfielder |
| - | M. Pappa | Striker |
| 14 | Patrick Nyarko | Striker |
| - | Andrew Dykstra | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Kwame Watson-Siriboe | Defender |
| 19 | Corben Bone | Midfielder |
| 7 | Fredrik Ljungberg | Midfielder |
| 13 | D. Umanzor | Defender |
| 28 | Steven Kinney | Defender |
| 20 | Brian McBride | Striker |
| Edson Buddle | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 14 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Wilman Conde | |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad Number: | 2 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Results
Times In EST
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Jack McInerney Striker Philadelphia Union |
8 | 0 |
|
Mike Magee Midfielder LA Galaxy |
6 | 1 |
|
Claudio Bieler Striker Sporting KC |
6 | 1 |
|
Marco Di Vaio Striker Montreal Impact |
6 | 0 |
|
Robert Earnshaw Striker Toronto FC |
5 | 2 |
