Rogondino: Galaxy Expect Better Performance vs. Union

Mark Rogondino

So much for last week’s tilt versus RSL being entertaining, the game was over before it even started. Ten minutes in and down by two goals, then falling behind by three before the halftime break, few teams can come back from such a deficit. Making matters worse, the Galaxy really has not put together a solid 90 minutes in three games played this season. But never fear, because good news is here… nowhere to go but up!

The Philadelphia Union comes to Southern California under much different circumstances than a year ago. In 2010, the Union was a team still trying to discover its identity. But under Peter Nowak the Union made huge strides over the last few months of their first season in MLS, and now arrives at The Home Depot Center unbeaten in the first two games this season. In addition, Philadelphia has added some fire power to its attack in the form of Carlos Ruiz. The former Galaxy great returned to MLS during the offseason after spending time in Mexico and Greece, and netted his first goal in a Union kit last week in a 1-0 win over Vancouver at PPL Park. The addition of Ruiz gives Philly a great one-two punch in the attack along side of Sebastian LeToux.

This week’s match-up will be less about what the visiting team does, and more about how LA responds to last week’s poor performance at Rio Tinto Stadium. Several of the players this week at training used the words “anger” and “demoralizing” when discussing how it felt to leave Utah after the first defeat of the season. That is why it will be interesting to see if that translates into better, more motivated play from the Galaxy. For as disappointing as last week’s result was, a positive performance this week would erase a lot.

There were not too many areas of the game to be excited about last week, but if you are looking for one aspect of the game that has to be considerably better it is the midfield. Not much went right last week. Possession, ball winning, service in the final third of the field and defending were all areas of concern. No question the return of Galaxy captain Landon Donovan will be a boost, but the rest of the three positions need to have solid outings too. Juninho is the “X-factor.” As well as he played in the first two games of the season; the young Brazilian was invisible in Salt Lake City. If Juninho can exude the confidence on the ball he had in game one in Seattle, it will be a welcome sight for Galaxy fans Saturday night.

On the defensive side of the ball, it is likely Omar Gonzalez will make his 2011 debut and it will be a much-needed addition. Not to take anything away from Leonardo and A.J. DeLaGarza, and the job they did filling in at the center back spots, but Gonzalez brings a different presence to the backline. Omar might not be the only defensive player stepping back on the field. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts seems close to being ready to take the field, which would be a huge plus for LA as well. These two additions will solidify the defense back to what Galaxy fans have become accustomed to over the past few seasons.

Now don’t get me wrong, Philadelphia is not going to just lie down and let the Galaxy take three points. But, if LA step out on the field Saturday night and channel the anger and frustration of last week’s performance onto the field, they should be just fine. A productive start to the match, meaning the first 15 minutes, will be a great indicator whether that energy is indeed going to the right places. Now, if the response Saturday night isn’t what all of us are expecting, then there will be reason for concern, and then I don’t know what tell to tell you in regards to where things are going. After all, I already told you that there is nowhere to go from here but up.