Ahead of tonight's match at StubHub Center, SportingKC.com caught up with LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano to preview #LAvSKC. Live pregame coverage of the match is available at 9:00 p.m. CT on 38 The Spot (KMCI) and SKCTV.
How would you assess the Galaxy’s season so far heading into Thursday’s match?
Los Angeles is known for slow starts, but Bruce Arena’s men haven’t suffered from such a lull this season. Their 3-2 defeat to Montreal snapped a nine-game unbeaten run for the Galaxy, who have lost just twice this season. Heading into the Copa America break, a win will be of high priority for the club.
How will the absences of Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane (on international duty) affect the Galaxy for Thursday’s match?
The Galaxy may be without two of their key attackers, but as they showed against Montreal last week, this isn’t a team lacking offensive pop. Leading goal scorer Giovani dos Santos carries the load for the Galaxy, but the veteran presence striker Mike Magee and youthful talents like Sebastian Lletget and Ema Boateng should help lighten the burden.
What are your thoughts on the 1-1 draw between the two sides back in May and any impact that might have on this match?
I don’t expect that match to have any real barring on this game at StubHub Center. Although some were frustrated with the Galaxy’s inability to get three points in Kansas, I felt that the point was a step in the right direction for a Galaxy team that has struggled on the road in recent years.
What’s been the key to the Galaxy’s strong home record in the last several seasons?
Quite simply, it’s been the Galaxy’s offense. In MLS, the home side always has the advantage, but Bruce Arena has designed a team suited perfectly for the big field at StubHub Center. Using a mixture of veterans and youth, the Galaxy have developed a squad that has a penchant for blowing teams away at home.
What will be key for Sporting KC in tonight's match at StubHub Center?
The primary objective for Sporting KC will be to shut down Giovani dos Santos. The Mexican striker has five goals this season and is in the best form of his career, so I expect Peter Vermes and Co. to put plenty of pressure on him.
