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Played
September 11, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Home Depot Center, Carson, California
Referee: Alex Prus
September 11, 2010 10:30 PM EDT
Home Depot Center, Carson, California
Referee: Alex Prus
Los Angeles Galaxy - Columbus Crew: Head To Head Preview
Who will end the weekend in first place?
By Jonathan Vera and Justin Henley
On Form
Los Angeles Galaxy: Though Chris Birchall did not play last week, two weeks prior the Englishman stepped up a level in his game. Early in the season Birchy would fire heedlessly at the net from far out, coming nowhere close to target, but recently, Birchall has been taking his time, getting his footing, and launching blasts on frame. As a unit, the LA club have found their niche. At one point they stood 11 point clear of the runner-up in the standings. They became complacent and struggled. But last week they were threatened with losing top spot and responding like true warriors, battling to a one-all draw. The point held onto their first place rank.
Columbus Crew: Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The Crew's leader in goals and assists, Guillermo has continued to prove that age is just a number. In addition to his play, his fitness level has been extraordinary. Last week, he played 120 minutes in the Crew's U.S. Open Cup semifinal win, scoring the decisive goal in the 98th minute on a PK. Then, just 72 hours later, he played almost the entire game, scoring the only goal in the D.C. United match on a Bill Hamid mistake off a back pass, and only coming off in stoppage time. Schelotto has expressed his desire to play another year for the Crew, and should that happen, look for him to continue to prove why he is one of the league's best players.
Off Target
Los Angeles: Though they remain atop of the list in points, they are also first in goals allowed within the first 15 minutes of play. For the first 80+ minutes of last weeks draw in Chi-town, the Galaxy played complacently, reveling on the fact they would still be in first place given a goalless draw. Luckily for them, the late Fire goal lit a fire beneath them. Furthermore, captain Landon Donovan missed his first PK of the season. After the Fire keeper stopped the shot, the LA side were distraught as they played with an almost crushed will on the pitch. The most optimistic approach one can have about the failed PK is the same the Galaxy use to describe their slump: better now than later in the season. So, Donovan's failed PK -- better now than in the final.
Columbus: The central midfield, especially on the road. With injuries to key players and perhaps the toughest schedule of any team going down the stretch, with a minimum of 13 games the final six weeks, Crew boss Robert Warzycha had to go deep onto his bench, playing rarely used Kevin Burns the full 90 minutes last weekend. It worked out in terms of keeping a clean sheet, however, D.C. United kept plenty of possession against what again seemed like a six defender lineup with steady hand Brian Carroll partnering Burns in the center. Against a good team such as LA, the Crew must keep better possession of the ball to achieve a positive result.
Tactics
Los Angeles: The LA midfield and backline have been missing their key players Juninho and Gregg Berhalter. Juninho flew back to Brazil two weeks ago for a family emergency and is due back this Saturday. As for Berhalter, his return from injury is still not certain. However, due for some minutes this Saturday is David Beckham. Doubtful he'll get the start, but a 70th minute substitution is a good bet. Last week coach Bruce Arena showed some desperation by putting Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan in the front line. With Beckham back, probably, it would be a good idea to have Buddle and Tristan Bowen in the front with Donovan, Michael Stephens, Juninho, and Becks in the middle.
Columbus: As previously mentioned, the Crew have at times on the road taken a very negative approach to the game, dropping deep in numbers and looking to counter. With creative midfielder Dilly Duka forced out wide due to injuries to Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo, last week the Crew looked unable to keep the ball for anything more than one or two passes before losing possession and dropping numbers. As long as the results comes, its hard to argue with Robert Warzycha, but as has been exposed in losses to Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA; if the Crew don't defend well, they look an average team.
Intangibles
Los Angeles: It's going to be a battle for first place supremacy as LA takes on the Columbus Crew, both squads with 44 points. LA edges out the Crew for first place with a six goal differential. Real Salt Lake is right behind the Galaxy, eying the top spot with 43 points.
Columbus: With new signing Andres "El Condor" Mendoza finally debuting, however briefly last weekend against D.C. United, the Crew hope they have at last added the number 10 shirt that Columbus fans have been praying for. With all Crew forwards minus Guillermo Barros Schelotto seemingly unable to score on a consistent basis, Robert Warzycha and company hope that Mendoza can change all that. A proven goal scorer for both club and country, it will be interesting to see how quickly Mendoza adapts to the MLS game.
Outcome
Los Angeles: The threat of losing their number one spot on the charts lit a fire beneath the Galaxy. The slump caused by complacency is over. The dominating Galaxy of yore will be back this Saturday as they trump the Crew 2-1.
Columbus: LA's form has dipped at the worst possible time, but neither team looks a convincing choice as a winner. Columbus does have revenge on its mind after a late May 2-0 loss at home to a Galaxy without Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, but the Crew have been inconsistent on the road, and with that in mind I'll predict a 1-1 draw.
For more on Major League Soccer, visit Goal.com's MLS page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Los Angeles Galaxy: Though Chris Birchall did not play last week, two weeks prior the Englishman stepped up a level in his game. Early in the season Birchy would fire heedlessly at the net from far out, coming nowhere close to target, but recently, Birchall has been taking his time, getting his footing, and launching blasts on frame. As a unit, the LA club have found their niche. At one point they stood 11 point clear of the runner-up in the standings. They became complacent and struggled. But last week they were threatened with losing top spot and responding like true warriors, battling to a one-all draw. The point held onto their first place rank.
Columbus Crew: Guillermo Barros Schelotto. The Crew's leader in goals and assists, Guillermo has continued to prove that age is just a number. In addition to his play, his fitness level has been extraordinary. Last week, he played 120 minutes in the Crew's U.S. Open Cup semifinal win, scoring the decisive goal in the 98th minute on a PK. Then, just 72 hours later, he played almost the entire game, scoring the only goal in the D.C. United match on a Bill Hamid mistake off a back pass, and only coming off in stoppage time. Schelotto has expressed his desire to play another year for the Crew, and should that happen, look for him to continue to prove why he is one of the league's best players.
Off Target
Los Angeles: Though they remain atop of the list in points, they are also first in goals allowed within the first 15 minutes of play. For the first 80+ minutes of last weeks draw in Chi-town, the Galaxy played complacently, reveling on the fact they would still be in first place given a goalless draw. Luckily for them, the late Fire goal lit a fire beneath them. Furthermore, captain Landon Donovan missed his first PK of the season. After the Fire keeper stopped the shot, the LA side were distraught as they played with an almost crushed will on the pitch. The most optimistic approach one can have about the failed PK is the same the Galaxy use to describe their slump: better now than later in the season. So, Donovan's failed PK -- better now than in the final.
Columbus: The central midfield, especially on the road. With injuries to key players and perhaps the toughest schedule of any team going down the stretch, with a minimum of 13 games the final six weeks, Crew boss Robert Warzycha had to go deep onto his bench, playing rarely used Kevin Burns the full 90 minutes last weekend. It worked out in terms of keeping a clean sheet, however, D.C. United kept plenty of possession against what again seemed like a six defender lineup with steady hand Brian Carroll partnering Burns in the center. Against a good team such as LA, the Crew must keep better possession of the ball to achieve a positive result.
Tactics
Los Angeles: The LA midfield and backline have been missing their key players Juninho and Gregg Berhalter. Juninho flew back to Brazil two weeks ago for a family emergency and is due back this Saturday. As for Berhalter, his return from injury is still not certain. However, due for some minutes this Saturday is David Beckham. Doubtful he'll get the start, but a 70th minute substitution is a good bet. Last week coach Bruce Arena showed some desperation by putting Edson Buddle and Landon Donovan in the front line. With Beckham back, probably, it would be a good idea to have Buddle and Tristan Bowen in the front with Donovan, Michael Stephens, Juninho, and Becks in the middle.
Columbus: As previously mentioned, the Crew have at times on the road taken a very negative approach to the game, dropping deep in numbers and looking to counter. With creative midfielder Dilly Duka forced out wide due to injuries to Robbie Rogers and Emmanuel Ekpo, last week the Crew looked unable to keep the ball for anything more than one or two passes before losing possession and dropping numbers. As long as the results comes, its hard to argue with Robert Warzycha, but as has been exposed in losses to Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA; if the Crew don't defend well, they look an average team.
Intangibles
Los Angeles: It's going to be a battle for first place supremacy as LA takes on the Columbus Crew, both squads with 44 points. LA edges out the Crew for first place with a six goal differential. Real Salt Lake is right behind the Galaxy, eying the top spot with 43 points.
Columbus: With new signing Andres "El Condor" Mendoza finally debuting, however briefly last weekend against D.C. United, the Crew hope they have at last added the number 10 shirt that Columbus fans have been praying for. With all Crew forwards minus Guillermo Barros Schelotto seemingly unable to score on a consistent basis, Robert Warzycha and company hope that Mendoza can change all that. A proven goal scorer for both club and country, it will be interesting to see how quickly Mendoza adapts to the MLS game.
Outcome
Los Angeles: The threat of losing their number one spot on the charts lit a fire beneath the Galaxy. The slump caused by complacency is over. The dominating Galaxy of yore will be back this Saturday as they trump the Crew 2-1.
Columbus: LA's form has dipped at the worst possible time, but neither team looks a convincing choice as a winner. Columbus does have revenge on its mind after a late May 2-0 loss at home to a Galaxy without Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, but the Crew have been inconsistent on the road, and with that in mind I'll predict a 1-1 draw.
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 2-0 Columbus Crew
- 23.08 %
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Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Columbus Crew
- 11.54 %
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Los Angeles Galaxy 3-1 Columbus Crew
- 11.54 %
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 24, 2011 | Columbus Crew 0 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Jul 20, 2011 | Los Angeles Galaxy 1 - Columbus Crew 0 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 11, 2010 | Los Angeles Galaxy 3 - Columbus Crew 1 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | May 29, 2010 | Columbus Crew 0 - Los Angeles Galaxy 2 |
|
| USA - Major League Soccer (MLS) | Sep 27, 2009 | Columbus Crew 2 - Los Angeles Galaxy 0 |
|
Los Angeles Galaxy
   |
||
| May 26, 2012 | Houston Dynamo 2 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Los Angeles Galaxy 2 - San Jose 3 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | Chivas USA 1 - Los Angeles Galaxy 0 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Montreal Impact 1 - Los Angeles Galaxy 1 | MLS |
| May 5, 2012 | Los Angeles Galaxy 0 - New York Red Bulls 1 | MLS |
Columbus Crew
   |
||
| May 26, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - Chicago Fire 1 | MLS |
| May 23, 2012 | Seattle Sounders FC 0 - Columbus Crew 2 | MLS |
| May 19, 2012 | San Jose 1 - Columbus Crew 1 | MLS |
| May 12, 2012 | Columbus Crew 2 - FC Dallas 1 | MLS |
| May 5, 2012 | Portland Timbers 0 - Columbus Crew 0 | MLS |
| 1 | Donovan Ricketts | Goalkeeper |
| 2 | Todd Dunivant | Defender |
| 4 | Omar Gonzalez | Defender |
| 22 | Jose Leonardo Ribeiro da Silva | Defender |
| 28 | Sean Franklin | Defender |
| 88 | Alex Cazumba | Defender |
| - | Dema Kovalenko | Midfielder |
| 19 | Juninho | Midfielder |
| - | Jovan Kirovski | Striker |
| 10 | Landon Donovan | Striker |
| 14 | Edson Buddle | Striker |
| 12 | Josh Saunders | Goalkeeper |
| 26 | Michael Stephens | Midfielder |
| 6 | Eddie Lewis | Midfielder |
| - | Tristan Bowen | Striker |
| 33 | Chris Birchall | Midfielder |
| 18 | Mike Magee | Midfielder |
| 23 | David Beckham | Midfielder |
| 1 | Will Hesmer | Goalkeeper |
| 29 | Shaun Francis | Defender |
| 6 | Andy Iro | Defender |
| 14 | Chad Marshall | Defender |
| - | Frankie Hejduk | Defender |
| 11 | Dilly Duka | Midfielder |
| 7 | Brian Carroll | Midfielder |
| 22 | Adam Moffat | Midfielder |
| 12 | Eddie Gaven | Midfielder |
| 7 | Guillermos Barros Schelotto | Striker |
| 32 | Steven Lenhart | Striker |
| 30 | Andy Gruenebaum | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Eric Brunner | Defender |
| - | Kevin Burns | Goalkeeper |
| - | Jason Garey | Defender |
| 9 | A. Mendoza | Striker |
| 20 | Emilio Renteria | Striker |
| 17 | Emmanuel Ekpo | Midfielder |
| David Beckham | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 23 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| Guillermos Barros Schelotto | |
| Position: | Striker |
| Squad Number: | 7 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
1 
2 
4 
22 
28 
88 
0 
19 
0 
10 
14 
1 
29 
6 
14 
0 
11 
7 
22 
12 
7 
32
Results
Times In EST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Kenny Cooper
Striker NY Red Bulls |
11 | 2 |
|
Chris Wondolowski
Striker San Jose Earthquakes |
11 | 1 |
|
Thierry Henry
Striker NY Red Bulls |
9 | 0 |
|
Saer Sene
Striker New England |
7 | 1 |
|
Maicon Santos
Striker D.C. United |
7 | 0 |