Can FC Dallas count on a Galaxy hangover when the teams meet tonight in North Texas, a little So-Cal sulking from the side that went out with some disappointment in this week?s CONCACAF Champions League?
In four words ? don?t bet on it.
Galaxy manager Bruce Arena has been around the MLS block more than a few times and knows how to keep a team balanced through a long season. Besides, the Galaxy went into Monterrey earlier this week understanding the task ahead ? so it?s not like the inability to get the job done in Wednesday?s second-leg semifinal was some giant soul crusher.
At best, the champs could be a little tired when they meet FCD in suburban Dallas; Saturday?s kickoff on NBC Sports Network is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
An interesting contest features one side we all thought would be leading this Western Conference race (the two-time defending MLS Cup champion Galaxy) and the surprise team that actually finds itself lead dog on the conference sled (Schellas Hyndman?s FC Dallas).
Two of the league?s better strikers will lead their teams? attacks. In LA?s Robbie Keane, we may be speaking of ?the best.? Keane has a goal and assist in just two matches this year, but continues to find the? defensive gaps and look dangerous. Propping up the Galaxy scoring, meanwhile, is Mike Magee, the surprising league leader with five goals.
Similar to Keane, FC Dallas? Blas Perez has been limited this year due to injuries and international call-ups; he has two goals in three matches. They were, however, in Dallas? last two matches, a pair of important road strikes as Hyndman?s team collected four points away from home over the last two weekends.
Containing Perez will be Job 1 for Omar Gonzalez; the Galaxy?s prized center back is coming off a fantastic night down in Mexico.
With one travel day and just one other full day of rest since Wednesday?s contest, Arena is sure to make lineup changes. Sophomore center back Tommy Meyer could be one, and that would be his 2013 Galaxy debut. Or Colin Clark could get on the field since the midfield vet (who played for Hyndman in college at SMU) is cup-tied and was not eligible to play in the CONCACAF series.
Magee appears ready after missing Wednesday?s match due to injury. As for Landon Donovan, who has appeared in three matches since returning from sabbatical? He went the full 90 on Wednesday, so an appearance off the bench seems most likely.
On Dallas? side, watch for Jackson on the right and Andrew Jacobson in the holding midfield role; both are having outstanding seasons. A little more on Jackson?s 2013 campaign is here.
LA is undefeated in its last four against FC Dallas, including back-to-back shutout victories in the teams? last pair of 2012 meetings. FCD last defeated the Galaxy back in May of 2001.
Source: http://prosoccertalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/13/mls-match-preview-fc-dallas-vs-la-galaxy/related/
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