CARSON, Calif. – On Wednesday, C.S. Herediano will face the LA Galaxy just days after traveling thousands of miles from Heredia, Costa Rica to Southern California. With the script flipped to The Home Depot Center, the Costa Ricans must conquer not just the Galaxy, but an entirely new setting.
One member of the opposition, Galaxy midfielder Marcelo Sarvas, understands exactly what Herediano will be facing in Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal second leg. In 2011, Sarvas’ L.D. Alajuelense side traveled up to Southern California during the 2011/2012 edition of the tournament and ultimately fell 2-0 to the Galaxy in the group stage match.
Having made the trip to the United States from Central America before, Sarvas knows from experience what will be going through the minds of the Herediano players once the opening whistle is blown.
“You just have to control your emotions and the way that you see the opponent,” said Sarvas. “I remember when I came here with Alajuela, first, you play against the Galaxy jersey and [their] big players then you come to play a game. [Herediano] already had the first game, they saw our team and in the beginning, they’re always impressed to play against bigger clubs but then it’s [just a] game.”
But what kind of game does Sarvas expect Herediano expect to give the Galaxy?
“They did a good job in the first leg and for sure, they believe that they can beat us here. They’ll come and make everything hard so I expect a tough game,” said Sarvas. “We just have to play how we’re doing…we have to press them and make things fast, so it’ll be a totally different game for sure.”
