CARSON, Calif. –Bruce Arena is placing considerable importance in the LA Galaxy’s U.S. Open Cup quarterfinal clash against Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday.
Open Cup success has eluded the Galaxy during Arena’s tenure with the club failing to reach the semifinals since the Galaxy boss took over midway through the 2008 season. The Galaxy’s Open Cup struggles are not unique to Arena's time with the team, however, as LA have not advanced past the quarterfinal stage since the 2006 season.
After crashing out in the Open Cup in recent years, the Galaxy are well-aware how badly their boss wants a win on Wednesday.
“He’s put a big emphasis in this game. We want to go all the way,” midfielder Sebastian Lletget said. “This is the stage where it gets really serious, and we want to get this win.”
Click here to buy U.S. Open Cup tickets
“I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but the results in the Open Cup for the Galaxy haven’t been good since I got here in 2009,” Mike Magee added. “It doesn’t make sense because we’ve normally had one of the best teams in the league, if not the best, and an incredible amount of depth. It doesn’t make sense, and it must be an effort thing. He’s definitely let us know that. I just sense something different. As a club, we’re going to take this more seriously. He’s not going to let us slip up."
To showcase the added emphasis in the Open Cup, Arena is expected to trot out a competitive squad that will likely be a mixture of regulars and reserves. In the Galaxy’s Round of 16 win against the Portland Timbers, the Galaxy used a lineup that included the likes of Jelle Van Damme, Ashley Cole and Jeff Larentowicz.
Although Arena did not confirm the makeup of Wednesday’s lineup, Arena did not rule out utilizing the likes of Giovani dos Santos, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and others despite the quick turnaround with the Portland Timbers match on Saturday.
“When you get to this stage the competition gets keener, and the importance of the game is greater,” Arena said. “We not only have to be prepared for Wednesday but for Saturday, and Saturday we’re playing basically at noon on an artificial field in Portland. It’s not easy. We’ve got to keep together our team so we can win not only on Wednesday but Saturday as well.”
