Major League Soccer

MLS Preview: New England Revolution v. Los Angeles Galaxy

Two teams that could use a win to help them get back on the right track square off in Foxboro.

Aug 29, 2008 2:16:53 PM

MLS: Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Adrian Serioux (Dallas), FC Dallas v Los Angeles Galaxy, May 2008 (ISI)

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MLS: Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Adrian Serioux (Dallas), FC Dallas v Los Angeles Galaxy, May 2008 (ISI)

Teams

New England Revolution v. Los Angeles Galaxy
When: 7:30 pm ET
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
TV: HDNet

The Gist: These two are nearly at opposite ends of the table with New England tied for the overall MLS lead and the Galaxy just two points clear of the cellar in the West. The Revs will look to continue their dominance of Los Angeles, having beaten them in all five meetings since the Galaxy won MLS Cup 2005.

Despite their current standing, New England have struggled of late. Injuries have decimated their once deep pool of strikers, including Kheli Dube, Adam Cristman, and Kenny Mansally, leaving few attacking options to line up alongside Taylor Twellman. As his team comes off a tough loss to Trinidadian side Joe Public in the CONCACAF Champions League, Revs coach Steve Nicol must get his team headed back in the right direction to stay at the top of the East.

Los Angeles are in more desperate need of a win than the Revs. Having not taken three points since mid-June, new head coach Bruce Arena knows he has little time to right a sinking ship. However, as the 2005 Gals showed, getting hot at the right time can lead to the promised land.

Why You Should Care: It has been ten days since Los Angeles last played, giving Arena plenty of time to work with his new squad. Not only does Arena have more training time under his belt, but he also adds Eddie Lewis to the starting lineup. The U.S. international will make his return to MLS after nine years in England, giving the Galaxy two of the league’s best crossers, as Lewis lines up opposite David Beckham in the midfield.

Beckham should enjoy his role on the right as both goals New England conceded to Joe Public were mirror images from the right wing. If the Revs go with a four-man backline rookie leftback Chris Tierney could be in for another long night against the England international.

Twellman would be an ideal striker to finish the crosses Los Angeles will be providing, but with Mauricio Castro and Sainey Nyassi playing wide for New England those chances will be less precise. The 19-year-old Nyassi is improving but his service is not up to par with his speed.

Steve Ralston, if he is recovered from back spasms that forced him to be subbed early against Joe Public, will play behind Twellman and should find success dribbling at the heart of the weak and disorganized Galaxy backline. Behind Ralston, Shalrie Joseph could look to push forward more and pick spots to uncork long-range shots.

He’s So Hot Right Now: Taylor Twellman. After sitting out much of the year with injury, Twellman is now fit and again one of the best strikers in MLS. The University of Maryland product has goals in three of his past four games and now sits just five away from the century mark in career MLS goals.

Prediction: New England Revolution 2, Los Angeles Galaxy 2

-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com

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