CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy have reiterated throughout the week that they’re focused solely on their own game plan ahead of Wednesday’s CONCACAF Champions League second leg tie against C.S. Herediano, but that does not mean that the team is not mindful of some of the Costa Rican’s weapons.
Two players in particular are Argentine midfielder Ismael Gomez and Costa Rican attacker Elias Aguilar, who both enjoyed a measure of success in the first leg down in Costa Rica.
Gomez will be known for firing his penalty kick into the cross bar in the 87th minute, but he was particularly down the right flank after coming into the match at the start of the second half. His finest chance came in the 71st as he fired a pinpoint free kick just wide of Carlo Cudicini’s net.
Meanwhile, playing from an attacking midfield position, Aguilar was able to create a pair of dangerous chances that both sailed wide of the Galaxy net, Aguilar exited with an apparent injury in the 78th minute, but traveled with the club to Southern California.
With both players expected to play key roles on Wednesday, the Galaxy understand that they must be wary.
"He was dangerous," said Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant of Aguilar. "He was smooth on the ball and knew that surface well and it played to his strengths. So those are guys that we're going to have to keep an eye on. They're danger men and they got some speed, then... [Gomez] changed it a bit for them. In the end, we still got the zero, which was the biggest thing for us. Two games and two shutouts is a good sign for us and our defense."
