Galaxy Expected to Have the Edge
Compare the rosters and Major League Soccer’s first Los Angeles derby begins to sound a lot like a tennis match:
Advantage, Galaxy.
On paper, there is only one logical outcome to tonight’s clasico at the Home Depot Center -- a convincing Galaxy victory over game but outgunned Chivas USA.
In fact, according to defender Greg Vanney, formerly of the Galaxy and now with FC Dallas, Chivas USA has only two weapons. One is Brazilian forward Thiago Martins, who has scored twice in three games, and the other is attack-minded defender Ezra Hendrickson.
Beyond that, Vanney said, there isn’t much.
“They’re going to need to pull some things together in order to get some victories,” he said. “I think they’re dangerous coming forward with the big guy [Martins] up front. Ezra is still the same -- dangerous on the outside and at getting crosses in -- but other than that, I don’t really see how they’re going to hurt too many teams.”
Chivas USA is 0-2-1, its latest setback a 3-1 loss to FC Dallas last Saturday.
Ronnie O’Brien, who scored the first Dallas goal, and Eddie Johnson, who scored the third, disagreed with Vanney.
“People throw around this expansion tag and don’t expect too much out of them, but they played some good stuff,” O’Brien said. “They created a good chance early on. They scored a goal. It was a well worked goal. Through the game they put us under a lot of pressure. So they’re a good team.”
And from Johnson: “I thought they gave myself and [Carlos] Ruiz and Ronnie a hard time. It wasn’t easy.”
But it might be for the 1-1 Galaxy, simply because Los Angeles has what Dallas does not -- Landon Donovan, whose ability to ghost through defenses will keep the Chivas back four honest, especially since the Chivas defense will be without injured starter Ryan Suarez.
“They’re going to have a tough time because Landon kind of floats around the middle where they don’t really have somebody who can keep up with him,” Vanney said.
Hendrickson’s effectiveness probably will be blunted by Galaxy midfielder Guillermo “Pando” Ramirez, who, if he plays out wide as expected, could keep Hendrickson on the defensive all night.
Similarly, Galaxy central defenders Tyrone Marshall and Ugo Ihemelu should be enough to shut down the threat posed by Martins.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy’s team speed should keep Chivas USA backpedaling furiously.
And it isn’t only Donovan. Cobi Jones and Chris Albright on the right flank have a good understanding, and Jones’ confidence has been boosted now that his long scoring drought has ended.
On paper, it’s the Galaxy’s game to lose. But neither coach buys that idea.
“Everything on paper is thrown out the window when the game starts,” Galaxy Coach Steve Sampson said.
Chivas USA Coach Thomas Rongen said, “Looking at the circumstances, being the derby, the clasico, whatever you call it, we’ll be able to raise our level, both emotionally and physically, which will allow us to compete in this game. I’m convinced of that.”
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TONIGHT
Galaxy vs Chivas USA, 7
ESPN2, ESPN Deportes
Site -- Home Depot Center.
Radio -- 830, 1540.
Records -- Galaxy 1-1, Chivas USA 0-2-1.
Record vs Chivas USA -- First meeting.
Update -- The Galaxy is at full strength. Chivas USA will be without Suarez, who suffered a concussion against FC Dallas last Saturday. Alfonso Loera is expected to start in his place.
Tickets -- (877) 342-5299.
