Match Preview: LA Galaxy confident heading into Champions League quarterfinals second leg against Santos Laguna

CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy believe that they have the advantage heading into their decisive CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Santos Laguna in Torréon on Tuesday.

Los Angeles controlled the run of play for wide stretches of Tuesday’s first leg at StubHub Center, but were unable to find the back of the net the in the scoreless draw. The Galaxy have never won in Mexico in CONCACAF competition, but a win or even a draw in which goals are scored will see them through to the semifinals for the first time in three years.

Earning a result at the Estadio Corona will be difficult, but given the team’s experience in CCL and other competitions around the globe, the Galaxy believe that they can rise to the occasion.

“We’re lucky we have players who have played in big games and in big tournaments. We have that experience and we thrive being in hostile atmosphere,” Robbie Keane said. “Mexico will be a hostile place, but we’re ready for the challenge.”

Taking the field in Mexico is always a tough task for MLS sides in CONCACAF competition, but the Guerreros have been less that formidable at the Estadio Corona in recent months.

Under the management of new boss Luis Zubeldía, Santos have gone 2-1-1 at their home venue during the 2016 Clausura, including a 1-1 draw with Puebla at Estadio Corona on Saturday. However, that record followed a dismal Apertura campaign that saw Santos fail to win a single match at their home stadium.

Regardless of the records, however, the Galaxy know they’ll get Santos’ best on Tuesday.

“The fans will be behind them, and it’ll be hectic, but it’ll be a good test for us,” goalkeeper Dan Kennedy said. “It’s going to be a great experience for us.”

Added defender A.J. DeLaGarza, “We have the edge. Any tie where we score goals, we win. Away goals are huge so to keep them at zero is big. It’s always tough in Mexico, but we just have to be tough defensively and be solid.”

Full of confidence after their strong defensive showing at StubHub Center, the Galaxy believe that they have all the tools to advance to the next round.

“The first leg is out of the way, and if we go there and get a goal then this game is wide open for us. We got out of the first leg unscathed and now we can go to Torréon and really give it a go,” Kennedy said.
“We can always do better, but we’re fine with our position, and we believe that if we can put another complete game, then we’ll be able to advance.”

Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog atLAGalaxy.com/Insiderand contact him atLAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com

March 1, 7 pm PT (FS1, Sportsnet World)
Santos Laguna vs. LA Galaxy
Estadio Corona,  Torreón, Coahuila, México
2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, second leg

After the first round of the quarterfinals, the LA Galaxy are looking like the best-positioned MLS side to advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, but can Santos Laguna spoil the fun?

The Galaxy have plenty of star power to advance following their first-leg scoreless draw at StubHub Center, but all the pieces that head coach Bruce Arena have brought in are not yet clicking on all cylinders. LA’s 2016 preseason has been relatively quiet lately, with one goal in their last three games. Five newcomers made the first leg starting lineup, including Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong and English defender Ashley Cole.

It was the familiar attacking trio Robbie Keane, Giovani dos Santos and Gyasi Zardes that provided the best spark in the first leg, and Arena will be looking to those three to get the job done in Leg 2. It will be tougher at the hostile environment of Estadio Corona, but the Galaxy are plenty capable of winning on the road. Because away goals are the series tiebreaker, a good showing in the second leg would be huge for LA.

"The second leg is wide open with the 0-0 score," dos Santos told ESPN Deportes. "It is too bad that we couldn't solidify the chances that we did have to score, but the team is headed in the right direction."

Santos Laguna haven’t exactly looked their best lately. They’ve been unable to win a match since Jan. 29 against a struggling Queretaro side and sat ninth in the Liga MX table heading into the CCL series. The Galaxy out-shot Santos in the first leg, 13-11. Two starting Santos strikers are not expected to feature in Leg 2, Andres Renteria (yellow card accumulation) and Djaniny (injury).

Team Notes

• LA Galaxy:Can the reloaded Galaxy find CCL glory?
• Santos Laguna:Will Santos make a third run to the final?

Pick 'Em

"The Galaxy are in transition mode but the talent on the field should be enough to defeat a Santos Laguna side that is not one of the best we’ve seen in CCL." -- Ben Baer

"My gut tells me I’m not winning this pick. But my mind tells me, all the defensive reinforcements the Galaxy brought in over the offseason have not jelled well yet." -- Diego Pinzon

*These picks are for the series, not individual legs

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