Sporting Kansas City caps off a coast-to-coast road trip with a trip to face the LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night. The Galaxy are two-time defending MLS Cup champions and featured international stars Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. One of LA's new players is Carlo Cudicini, an experienced goalkeeper AC Milan and Chelsea.
The Galaxy tend to play a possession-based style utilizing the creativity of players like Keane, Donovan, and Magee. Through their first five MLS matches, they are averaging over 55% of possession and 77% passing accuracy.
Forwards
The attack is led by Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. Both players have missed matches this season but are expected to be available and likely to start on Saturday. Donovan often plays a hybrid role with the flexibility to drop into the midfield and push higher in the attack. Keane's technical ability is well known but can often be more dangerous with his movement off the ball. Donovan is finding his form after an extended break but still one of the most dynamic players in Major League Soccer. Mike Magee has started up top in earlier matches but will likely be in the midfield with few injury concers for LA.
The Galaxy have two homegrown forwards, Jose Villarreal and Jack McBean, who have both started several matches this season. Villarreal recently helped lead the USA U-20's (along with Sporting KC's Mikey Lopez) to a second place finish in the CONCACAF U-20 Championships. Both players have scored a goal this season and will probably options to come off the bench.
Midfielders
Marcelo Sarvas and Juninho hold down the middle of midfield for the Galaxy. Juninho has been one of the most consistent LA players during the back-to-back MLS Cup victories. The Brazilian is a box-to-box midfielder that is capable of making a physical tackle to prevent a counterattack and challenging the opposition's goalkeeper from outside the 18 yard box.
Mike Magee is Galaxy's leading goalscorer with five goals this season. The right midfielder has a knack for scoring timely goals and versatility to play in multiple positions on the pitch. Options for the other wide midfield position include Michael Stephens and Colin Clark. Stephens is a 2010 SuperDraft pick by the Galaxy and Clark was selected in the re-entry draft.
Defenders
The backline is led by Omar Gonzalez who has been partned by Leonardo in central defense in the last two matches. Leonardo received a red card against FC Dallas and is unavailable which likely means A.J. DeLaGarza will fill at that spot. Todd Dunivant is the first choice left back and should be available after missing last weekend's match due to an injury. Sean Franklin will likely take over for DeLaGarza at right back.
The LA defense has been solid the last few seasons and both outside backs will look to get forward. Gonzalez is a strong threat on set pieces while Dunivant was an MLS Best XI in 2011 and can provide quality service from the left side.
<strong>Lineup vs Toronto FC (3/30)</strong> |
<strong>Lineup vs FC Dallas (4/13)</strong> |
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