Gameday: Galaxy Vs. Chicago Fire

By: NathanHJ | September 25th, 2008

Tonight the Galaxy tries to keep its flickering post-season hopes alive in a must-win showdown in Bridgeview, IL against the Chicago Fire. Chicago has been struggling of late, losing the last two games by a combined score of 6-1, but the legendarily leaky Galaxy defense might be just what they need to get back on their game.

With last Saturday’s shredding of DC United still fresh in their minds, the Galaxy is looking to build on what was right and minimize what was wrong. They are lucky to have a relatively full-strength squad at their disposal because, despite the thrashing FC Dallas put on Chicago last week, it’s no easy thing to come into Toyota Park and walk away with three points. And the Galaxy hasn’t exactly held its own on the road.

Key starters for the Galaxy are: Landon Donovan, David Beckham, Eddie Lewis, Edson Buddle, and Sean Franklin. For the Fire, they run on Cuauhtemoc Blanco energizing a cadre of offensive players like Brian McBride, Chris Rolfe, and Justin Mapp (though Mapp has been in the doghouse recently). Their defense is anchored by Wilman Conde and Bakary Soumare.

This is the game where Beckham needs to break out of the mini-slump he has been in. Not only are his corners and free kicks below his standards, but his passing and crossing has been off lately as well. With Lewis now filling a gaping hole on the left side, Becks should have the luxury of switching fields regularly and should have some of the pressure taken off of his shoulders. He needs to use this breathing space to spark the deadly Galaxy attack and keep it hitting on all cylanders for 90 minutes.

If he can do this, then the combo of Donovan and Buddle should be able to find some space in behind the two big Fire central defenders, or create opportunities for Lewis or Chris Klein. The key, as it has been all season, is controlling the midfield. If the Galaxy can’t shut down Blanco, then Conde and Soumare will stone the attack, and launch quick counters, which is where the Galaxy is weakest (well, that and set pieces).

The Fire is looking to regain form and take three points at home. The Galaxy need these three points to even consider post-season play. It should be a dog fight. I would love to see a 2-0 Galaxy win, but I think the defense is too shaky. 2-1 Fire and I hope I’m wrong.

The game is on ESPN2 at 6PM PDT.

Who do you want to see start? What is your prediction for the final score? Use this posting to follow along while you watch the game.



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Category Category: 2008 Season

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    Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 50 comments.
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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 7:56 pm

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    Well. That was a crap five minutes.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

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    Midfield has completely collapsed and the passes and now just over the top without any build-up.

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 7:59 pm

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    Vangenas for Gordon. Should have done that at halftime.

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:01 pm

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    The Fire is still dominating the midfield. They are really connecting and slicing through the middle. Much sharper passing that what the Galaxy is putting together.

    This is frustrating to say the least.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:02 pm

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    Almost!

    That looked a whole lot better.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:03 pm

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    How much do I not care about college football?

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm

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    Donovan HAD to bury that! Ach! You don’t get many looks like that! So frustrating.

    Posted from United States

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  • travis |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:07 pm

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    Donovan has had two chances – not easy, but you’d expect him to put both of those in.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:10 pm

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    You gotta think at some point that Haslett is going to take Blanco out and put in another d-mid.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:12 pm

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    This kind of game favors the Galaxy, but the passes need to be more precise.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:13 pm

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    Jordan in for Buddle. Intersting.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

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    Haslett = Hamlett

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:15 pm

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    Bruce thinks he only need to win three of these last 5 to make the playoffs.

    I think that’s wrong. I think we need to win 4. Which means winning out after this debacle.

    Posted from United States

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  • Werner |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

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    i feel like the galaxy are like every girl i’ve had a crush on.

    they keep on breaking my heart

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

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    Now the team is just fouling out of frustration and fatigue.

    Posted from United States

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  • NathanHJ |  September 25th, 2008 at 8:35 pm

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    Well.

    That. Was. Horrible.

    Makeshift midfield, which has been playing better since Bruce arrived, still can’t get it done against quality teams.

    And, as has been the case all season, the team has no depth. We start Alan Gordon and bring on Bryan Jordan (who is 100% better than he was at the start of the season I have to admit) and have Pete Vagenas as the stabilizing force in the middle. These are not substitutions that strike fear into anyone.

    Having said all that, the game was lost in a 3 minute stretch 10 minutes into the second half. Without that and with some luck on the great looks that Donovan had, it’s a different game. A tie at least.

    However, the fact that our possession is still shaky and the team doesn’t anticipate runs well and outside of 4 players has questionable first touches in attacking situations really sets us up for failure.

    I thought it would be unlikely to win this game going in, but I was impressed with some play. We just don’t play like that for 90 minutes. We don’t have the skilled personnel to do it.

    That was a frustrating loss. I think they miss the playoffs with this, but Bruce thinks that they can do it if the win 3 of the last 4.

    We’ll see.

    I’m not hopeful.

    Posted from United States

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  • Bob |  September 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm

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    What was Wicks thinking coming so far out on Blanco?? That was a huge rookie mistake thinking Blanco could outrun Franklin and Roberts. Beckham should have been taken out at half, he has been way off his game. All I can say is WTF…

    Posted from United States United States

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  • bleier7 |  September 25th, 2008 at 9:50 pm

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    I completely agree with that last comment about Wicks! WTF! He had no business coming out that far, he had to have seen that Franklin was stride for stride with Blanco. Totally deflated the team, which led to the other meltdown.

    No Depth and WAYYYY to old to play this game. Vanney is just awful to have roaming in a Center mid-field position! That was utter crap, but they have no one else.

    ugh.

    Posted from United States

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  • Colin |  September 25th, 2008 at 10:05 pm

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    I’m very frustrated after this game. We had a great opportunity to steal at least a point on the road, and we managed to play a game of “Space Cadet” in a 5 minute span in the second half.

    Despite this frustration, we can still make the playoffs, especially considering that the rest of the West is so weak right now. Buddle has dropped off significantly, and Gordon needs to go back to the USL. His touches were absolutely horrible. Furthermore, how can the tallest guy on the team not get on any of the corners or crosses by Lewis and Beckham?

    Jordan was way better for the 10 minutes he was in than Gordon was the whole game.

    And what are we paying Dominguez for? His lockdown defense of the left bench?

    FRUSTRATION.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Limey |  September 25th, 2008 at 10:08 pm

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    Like i said on Saturday “as Donavan goes the Galaxy goes”, and as i said on Tueday “where the heck is he the next (game)”. Course Landy is only one piece of the puzzle, Wicks made a mistake, either coming out on ‘no neck Blanco’ or not coming out on Rolfe(?)but he’s still better than Cronin.

    I’m pretty sure that Beckham was hurt early in Saturday’s game, and under normal circumstances would not have played tonight.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Limey |  September 25th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

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    I echo Colin’s comments on Gordon, he’s horrible not only can he not win the ball in the air, he cannot control the ball, and he cannot hold up the ball. Play Jordan the rest of the way and give us something to cheer for.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • Bob |  September 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm

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    It is funny, the team is playing like sh*t, and AEG is raising season ticket prices. I will renew my tickets if the increase is used to purchase a new goalkeeper.

    Posted from United States United States

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  • DAVE |  September 26th, 2008 at 6:36 am

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    Why is Beckham still here? Fact: Our Galaxy was much better without him. Do you any of you see him giving maximum effort on a consistant basis? I don’t! He needs get his ass up and down that side line and stop walking so much. Oh yeah, What about taking some shots on goal insted of passing the ball to players that can’t finish. Golden Balls…Should be Older Balls. Please piss of back to England!

    Posted from United States United States

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  • charlesj27 |  September 26th, 2008 at 6:43 am

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    I’m sorry LA Galaxy fans. I am. Hate me if you must. I cannot be a part of this shennanigans that’s going on with this team any longer. Go ahead and call me whatever names you want to… BUt, the display yesterday night was the last straw for me!!! The plays on the field are not at all of MLS standard. This organization has the money, the marketing, the backing, and the influence to steer this would-be great, stellar team into the right direction (the direction of quality, smart, connective, fluid, strong soccer). I saw none of these things for the past few years now (with the exception of a handful of games). I have a brain; I am studied & learned; and, I am not going to sit here and swallow “stupid” pills. Sorry!!!

    Posted from United States

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  • Justin |  September 26th, 2008 at 10:40 am

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    About time Charles I was getting really sick of reading all your lame ass posts anyways!

    Posted from United States United States

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