What can we expect from the LA Galaxy in the final two regular season games this season? That is the question that I have been asked the most in the last week.
On one hand, you want the Galaxy to continue their stellar play and finish strong with a win against Chivas USA and in Houston next week. But, it is equally important that players take a rest and have an opportunity to recharge heading into the postseason, not to mention the all important trip to Honduras in the Champions League on Thursday.
There is a case to be made for each side, but here is what I expect to see on Sunday in the SuperClasico.
For Bruce Arena and the Galaxy, this year’s team has been shown to have plenty of depth. This fact will prove to be essential over the final two games of the regular season as I expect to see every healthy body available play some sort of role. With the Supporters’ Shield wrapped up, and home-field advantage assured, Arena has earned the right to rest some guys. True, you want to win every game you play, but who is going to remember what the final score of Sunday’s game was if the Galaxy is hoisting the MLS Cup?
But on the other side of the coin, to a man, Galaxy players love nothing more than beating Chivas USA and would love to stretch that five-game winning streak over their rivals to six on Sunday.
There are also a number of historical marks out there that might come into play. The Galaxy can become just the third team in MLS history to finish a season unbeaten at home, they are one shutout away from matching the league record and could equal their league record point total from 1998 with a win and a draw in these final two games. In a team full of players that take a great deal of pride in what they do, these are all things that matter and as a result, while they do not need to win, I expect that they will not lose come Sunday.
Because Chivas USA is already out of playoff contention, this is a big opportunity for first year coach Robin Fraser to deliver a quality win and possibly the SuperClasico title to go along with bragging rights in the halls of The Home Depot Center. His squad has just eight wins from 32 games this season, but beating the Galaxy would go a long way to helping Fraser make a statement for his club heading into the offseason. Thus, I expect Chivas to be fired up to play this game. Add in the fact that these clasicos are always tight anyways, and you can sense that Fraser will have his team focused when the first whistle sounds. It will be interesting to see if the Galaxy can match that focus and intensity right away, knowing that their fate is already set.
One position that I know will match the intensity that Chivas USA are sure to bring is in goal for LA. Josh Saunders has been a major reason that the Galaxy have had the kind of season that they have and are in place to set a new league record for shutouts. But let’s not forget the work of Donovan Ricketts who posted seven clean sheets in just 14 games this year. After playing last week in New York against the Red Bulls, his first appearance in a month, Sunday’s game provides the perfect stage for Ricketts to continue his comeback and get back into a groove ahead of the playoffs. Unlike the game at Red Bull Arena, which was the fourth game in 10 days for LA, Ricketts should be playing behind a rested and ready bunch, not just physically, but mentally as well.
I would have liked to see Robbie Keane out there as well, but his recent injury likely means that won’t be the case. Keane has played in a number of local derbies in his time – Spurs-Arsenal, Liverpool-Everton, Celtic-Rangers and many more – but it would have been good for him to experience the emotions of this one. Even with him out though, LA have shown the ability to score goals and I expect them to do so once again on Sunday.
While Keane will miss out, I expect Landon Donovan, who will need to pick up the scoring slack in Keane’s absence, and David Beckham to both start, though possibly not play the full 90 minutes. Chris Birchall and Gregg Berhalter could also return to the starting 11. Berhalter has been out with a foot injury for quite a while, and would be a huge boost for the Galaxy to get him back heading into November. The veteran defender announced that he will retire after this season, and those that have seen him out at training and playing for LA the past three years know he has a bright future as a coach.
READ: Berhalter announces his retirement
That, however, is in the future, and Berhalter and the Galaxy still have work to do in the present, starting with Sunday’s game against Chivas USA.
The Galaxy are back in action on Sunday against in-stadium rivals Chivas USA. Support the team as they look to retain the SuperClasico trophy and an unbeaten record at home this season. Tickets are still available as low as $30 at lagalaxy.com/tickets. BUY NOW
