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MLS Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy at Real Salt Lake
Galaxy hopes to take advantage of recent success to bring home road points as Real Salt Lake looks to overcome missing pieces to continue home dominance.
May 6, 2009 2:30:32 AM
Two worlds will collide Wednesday night at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. The LA Galaxy visit the new stadium for the first time and the theme in their world is change, as the makeup of the team is quite different than last season. For the home side, Real Salt Lake has a roster and approach that is remarkably similar to the 2008 version.
For the LA Galaxy this season, the storyline is about the goals. Not the abundance of goals like last season, but the dearth of them: both in goals scored and conceded. A year ago, the Galaxy scored nearly two goals per game but also gave up over two per match. They led the league in both categories. This year, there has been a renovation in LA brought about by Bruce Arena. The new emphasis has them playing a more defensive brand of soccer, and it shows. Through 6 games they are averaging slightly over one goal per game scored, and given up. Only three Major League Soccer teams have allowed fewer goals.
Real Salt Lake’s storyline is about the difference between home and away. At home RSL has won all 3 matches, outscoring their opponent 12 goals to two. In two of the three matches they completely dominated their opponent. Away from the confines of Rio Tinto Stadium, they appear out of their element, losing all 3 matches with a 2-0 scoreline. The key seems to have been that they have given up early goals in all away matches, but not at home.
Landon Donovan Ricketts
These two players, Landon Donovan and Donovan Ricketts, will be the key to the Galaxy’s performance at opposite ends of the field. Landon Donovan is the only Galaxy attacking player that will strike fear in their opponents. He has been involved in all seven goals that his team has tallied this season, with four goals and three assists. Often the Galaxy lack offense in a match, but Donovan can change that with a single play.
Donovan Ricketts has been a pleasant surprise in goal. The Jamaican net minder has only given up two goals over four matches, ranking him third in goals-against average in the league. This has kept the Galaxy in matches that they wouldn’t have been in a year ago.
A Player to Keep in Your Seitz
Veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando is reportedly out for two to three weeks after getting his hand stepped on against Colorado on Saturday and suffering a deep laceration which went down to the bone. Fortunately, Real Salt Lake has the luxury of one of the most highly touted young American keepers in Chris Seitz as a backup. The reserve 'keeper from the U.S. Olympic team has a great resume and is a prototypical goalkeeper from a physical standpoint. At 6’ 3” he has much more reach than the 5’ 9” Rimando, but his three previous MLS starts early in his rookie year were shaky as he gave up eight goals and had just six saves. However, he had two clean sheets last week playing for Portland in the USL-1 on a brief loan.
The Keys
This match has several elements that will affect the outcome:
Shots and Finishing. Striker Yura Movsisyan has struggled to put the ball in the back of the net this season. But he has helped Real Salt Lake to get off the most shots in the league (101). If RSL gets as many shots off in previous home matches, they could bury LA. If Donovan gets chances, he’s likely to put them away. But can the team create the opportunities for him and others? The Galaxy has taken the second fewest shots (58) in the league this season.
Donovan. As mentioned above, he is that important. If Real Salt Lake can keep him contained, then the Galaxy will struggle.
Stand-ins. Aside from Seitz, Real Salt Lake has two other key players out for disciplinary reasons: defender Jamison Olave (red card), and playmaker Javier Morales (disciplinary action for an elbow to Pablo Mastroeni). If their stand-ins (likely Tony Beltran and Andy Williams) do well, then RSL shouldn’t miss a beat.
The Verdict
Real Salt Lake 2-1. RSL have been too explosive at home, and the Galaxy just don’t appear to have the fire power to match.
Randy Davis is a regular contributor to Goal.com.
For the LA Galaxy this season, the storyline is about the goals. Not the abundance of goals like last season, but the dearth of them: both in goals scored and conceded. A year ago, the Galaxy scored nearly two goals per game but also gave up over two per match. They led the league in both categories. This year, there has been a renovation in LA brought about by Bruce Arena. The new emphasis has them playing a more defensive brand of soccer, and it shows. Through 6 games they are averaging slightly over one goal per game scored, and given up. Only three Major League Soccer teams have allowed fewer goals.
Real Salt Lake’s storyline is about the difference between home and away. At home RSL has won all 3 matches, outscoring their opponent 12 goals to two. In two of the three matches they completely dominated their opponent. Away from the confines of Rio Tinto Stadium, they appear out of their element, losing all 3 matches with a 2-0 scoreline. The key seems to have been that they have given up early goals in all away matches, but not at home.
Landon Donovan Ricketts
These two players, Landon Donovan and Donovan Ricketts, will be the key to the Galaxy’s performance at opposite ends of the field. Landon Donovan is the only Galaxy attacking player that will strike fear in their opponents. He has been involved in all seven goals that his team has tallied this season, with four goals and three assists. Often the Galaxy lack offense in a match, but Donovan can change that with a single play.
Donovan Ricketts has been a pleasant surprise in goal. The Jamaican net minder has only given up two goals over four matches, ranking him third in goals-against average in the league. This has kept the Galaxy in matches that they wouldn’t have been in a year ago.
A Player to Keep in Your Seitz
Veteran goalkeeper Nick Rimando is reportedly out for two to three weeks after getting his hand stepped on against Colorado on Saturday and suffering a deep laceration which went down to the bone. Fortunately, Real Salt Lake has the luxury of one of the most highly touted young American keepers in Chris Seitz as a backup. The reserve 'keeper from the U.S. Olympic team has a great resume and is a prototypical goalkeeper from a physical standpoint. At 6’ 3” he has much more reach than the 5’ 9” Rimando, but his three previous MLS starts early in his rookie year were shaky as he gave up eight goals and had just six saves. However, he had two clean sheets last week playing for Portland in the USL-1 on a brief loan.
The Keys
This match has several elements that will affect the outcome:
Shots and Finishing. Striker Yura Movsisyan has struggled to put the ball in the back of the net this season. But he has helped Real Salt Lake to get off the most shots in the league (101). If RSL gets as many shots off in previous home matches, they could bury LA. If Donovan gets chances, he’s likely to put them away. But can the team create the opportunities for him and others? The Galaxy has taken the second fewest shots (58) in the league this season.
Donovan. As mentioned above, he is that important. If Real Salt Lake can keep him contained, then the Galaxy will struggle.
Stand-ins. Aside from Seitz, Real Salt Lake has two other key players out for disciplinary reasons: defender Jamison Olave (red card), and playmaker Javier Morales (disciplinary action for an elbow to Pablo Mastroeni). If their stand-ins (likely Tony Beltran and Andy Williams) do well, then RSL shouldn’t miss a beat.
The Verdict
Real Salt Lake 2-1. RSL have been too explosive at home, and the Galaxy just don’t appear to have the fire power to match.
Randy Davis is a regular contributor to Goal.com.
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