Galaxy v. DC United Pregame

By: jen | March 21st, 2009

Woohoo! The season is finally upon us! My husband begins his tenure as soccer widow once again, as my weekends are spent watching or playing the game. That’s okay, he’s got his poker.

So. Let’s get down to business. Who is playing? Who is injured? What’s the sitch? (I’m so down with the slang! Yeah, from 1990.)

Injuries: OUT: DF Todd Dunivant (R ankle post-surgery); DF Leonard Griffin (L abdominal strain); QUESTIONABLE: FW Edson Buddle (R quadriceps strain); GK Donovan Ricketts (R groin strain); PROBABLE: FW Alan Gordon (R hamstring strain); MF Eddie Lewis (L hamstring strain); MF Stefani Miglioranzi (R knee bone bruise).

I think we’re going to be missing Ricketts the most from this list. He was impressive last weekend before he reinjured himself. And by the way, groin or hamstring? Methinks there’s only a few inches difference.

I bet Eddie Lewis will be playing, whether at left mid or left back I’m not sure. I’m a bit worried about Gordon starting instead of Buddle. Gordon CAN get it done, but usually doesn’t. I hope I eat my words. I say look for Kirovski to be contributing on offense. He and Donovan could have some very good chemistry up top.

Andrea Canales also notes that each time Landon has returned from playing in Germany he has led his team to the MLS Cup Championship — with the Earthquakes in ‘01, and with the Galaxy in ‘05.

Wait! There’s another pattern here! Fill in the blank everybody: Donovan championship 2001, Donovan championship 2005, Donovan championship ______.

Most of what I’ve read or heard predicts a close game tomorrow. Both teams are described as somewhat better than last year, on paper anyway, and both teams have something to prove. Hopefully it’s not an opening day Suck Bowl, like we had so many of last year.

Here’s my expected line up:

——–Kirovski——-Donovan——–

Magee—-Tudela–Kovalenko—-Klein

Lewis—Gonzalez—Sanneh—Franklin

————-Saunders—————-

You can also check out Jon’s write up of the game over at DC United’s Offside page.

Finally, I’d like to send the guys a message:

Please oh please oh please oh please oh please play well and win.

UPDATE from NHJ: Follow the game in the comments. Right now I’m just talking to myself.

Halftime Summary: Ball movement, speed, vision, attacking orientation and midfield control were all on the Galaxy’s side. Actually putting the ball in dangerous positions was less good, but Donovan had at least two decent chances and Kovalenko had one.

There was no question that the Galaxy dominated the half with only a few United attacks making it to the 18. Unfortunately one of those resulted in a foul by Kovalenko in the box, leading to a Christian Gomez penalty kick.

The Galaxy is going to have it a bit harder in the second half, playing into the wind. I recognize that Kirovski has a veteran presence and understands positioning et al, but I don’t see him adding anything else. I’m leaning towards putting Bryan Jordan in his place, but maybe not to start the half. Maybe in the 60th minute. We need one more offensive piece. Ideally that would be Buddle, but he’s injured.

What was better from last year, was a midfield that had bite and could control the tempo of the game. This keeps the pressure off the backline. The backline is better, but still suspect. Luckily United is struggling more than the Galaxy so DeLaGarza isn’t under a lot of pressue and Sanneh can provide veteran leadership to him and Gonzalez.

Overall a nice looking half from the Galaxy with the exception of penalty kick. Now we’ll see if the Galaxy have the heart to come back from one down and carry the game to United in the second half.