MLS Playoff Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs Chivas USA

Who: Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA
What: 2009 MLS Western Conference playoffs, first round, second leg
When: 7:30 Eastern Time
Where: Home Depot Center Stadium, Carson, CA

The Gist:

Any meeting between the two squads who share a stadium is always a grudge match, and the first round game was no exception.

Yet despite the competition, the game was defined by generous gifts on both sides. Chivas USA got on the board first when LA defender Omar Gonzalez granted too much room to striker Maicon Santos, and he happily tucked his shot in far post. Then defender Yamith Cuesta offered up a tasty chance for Mike Magee with a bad touch in the box, and Magee eagerly rushed in and finished well. Then an inexplicably bad clearance by Santos gave Landon Donovan the opportunity to poke the ball home. The spirit of Christmas continued when Omar Gonzales decided to put a backpass within easy reach of Michael Galindo, who gratefully slotted the ball home for the equalizer.

The final leg is when the team who doesn't make tragic mistakes can expect to move on.

Given that the Galaxy didn't play well and still played Chivas USA even, the edge likely goes to them. With Landon Donovan and David Beckham, Los Angeles has two players who can break a game open with the right pass.

Chivas USA, however, will take heart at the fact that the playoffs render LA's number one seed practically irrelevant, since the teams share the stadium and their core fans will be able to easily be present for a game which is ostensibly the Galaxy's home match.

Sacha Kljestan and Maykel Galindo are not as well known as the Galaxy's top stars, but as a combination, they can be just as dangerous, combining Kljestan's incisive passes with Galindo's blistering pace.

Chivas USA have never advanced out of the first round of the playoffs, while the Galaxy couldn't even make the playoffs for three years. There will be no shortage of hunger and desire in the contest, but only one club will walk away satisfied with the outcome.


Key Players:

Edson Buddle, Los Angeles Galaxy: When Buddle is in a scoring groove, he creates enormous problems for the opposition, who have to rethink their strategy to focus primarily on Landon Donovan and David Beckham.

Paulo Nagamura, Chivas USA: The teams midfield warrior isn't afraid to crack a shot on goal from distance and he usually gets quite close. With a little bit of luck, Nagamura can turn the game upside down and help his side to a win.

Prediction:

Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 Chivas USA (Los Angeles to advance on 5-4  aggregate)

To Advance:

Since the aggregate is tied, either team advances with a victory.

If the match ends in another draw, the game will have a 30 minute overtime consisting of two 15 minute halves. If the deadlock is still not broken, the winner will be decided on penalty kicks.

Andrea Canales, Goal.com

For more on the Major League Soccer playoffs, visit Goal.com's MLS page