Galaxy vs. Earthquakes Preview

By: jen | April 18th, 2009

*rubbing my temples* I am sensing a win. Why? Because it’s about damn time!

No, no, that’s not the only reason.

The bad news? The Earthquakes have a very good midfield. Bobby Convey, Simon Elliot (effective when with the Galaxy), Arturo Alvarez, and Darren Huckerby (scary assists leader).

The good news? Their defense is a sieve. They have allowed 8 goals in 4 games this season.

Even better news — their offense is easy to mark.

Once again, the game will be won or lost in the midfield. With Gregg Berhalter out serving a red card suspension, Tony Sanneh will have to use his positioning and experience flawlessly. Omar Gonzalez will have the height and speed advantage in the back against the ‘Quakes offense. But our midfield MUST slow down their offensive creativity and keep them out of our final third. That’s good soccer playing for any game, but especially vital for this game.

The injury list for tonight’s game — we could finally see Dunivant:

LOS ANGELES GALAXY
OUT: DF Leonard Griffin (sports hernia surgery); QUESTIONABLE: FW Edson Buddle (R quadriceps strain); PROBABLE: DF Todd Dunivant (R ankle post-surgery); MF Mike Magee (R foot bruise); GK Donovan Ricketts (R groin strain)

Gordon and Berhalter sitting out to serve red card suspensions. I like how Gordon is cited for “lack of respect for the game.” It’s more like “lack of respect for the moron who kept baiting me and stomped on my foot.”

Gregg Berhalter
Los Angeles Galaxy
Suspension/Fine: 4/18/09 vs. SJ, $250
Reason: Red Card — Denies Goal by Foul

Alan Gordon
Los Angeles Galaxy
Suspension/Fine: 4/18/09 vs. SJ, $250
Reason: Red Card — 2nd Caution (Lack of Respect for the Game)

That’s all for now. I’ll see you in the comments tonight. Check out the Galaxy’s video preview of tonight’s game if you have a chance. It’s nice to see and hear Donovan Ricketts. I have so much confidence in that man!

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: Player News

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Glen

Missed the game but from reading some of the posts we had a good game and came away with a point on the road. we need Buddle back to help on top and I almost hate to say it but could have Gordon played better than Magee or Kirovski up top? I'm looking forward to getting back Berhalter for the next game. I looking forward to having a full strength squad on the field.

It seems also the confidence/heart has improved to come back from being down like we have in a couple matches.
George

After the FSN-West broadcast ended, they had a show called "Sports Science", and I was shocked to see Edson Buddle was on it. They had him kick a guy in the face with a soccer ball (pretty sweet). It was determined that a soccer ball to the face is about 10 times stronger than blocking an American football punt with your hands.
Bob

I heart Ricketts. That guy is amazing, he saved our butts! Last year we would have lost by 2-4 goals.
Laurie

Looks like our games are going similarly. :-(
Laurie

Greg Vanney is commentating the Seattle game. Which is kind of weird.
Laurie

That was my thought, Bob. If he'd come back when he was supposed to, he'd be playing regularly now. (Excuse me while I enjoy this nasty little moment of schadenfreude.)
Bob

I didn't now you could stay match fit riding the bench.
Laurie

Unrelated, mostly, but perhaps the grass is not always greener?
http://www.gantdaily.com/news/...
Gav

Any Galaxy fans give me an idea of how Kyle Patterson is doing please? Is he anywhere near becoming a regular? Cheers.
Nicole

I'm hearing that Darren Huckerby will not play - thigh injury in training and hasn't trained since Tuesday.

Also, Bobby Convey has been very poor in midfield so far this year, although apparently Frank had him for awhile at left back last and he was much better. I look for him to play at left mid this week - with Huckerby not available - and since that's where he's played most of his life, he should probably be more effective. Still, I've never been that impressed with him, ever.

I sure wish we had Berhalter available and even Alan Gordon - Kirovski is just a waste of space. I'm actually kind of hoping Mike Magee gets the start instead...or Bryan Jordan. And I hear also that Edson Buddle didn't even make the trip up North. Man, it takes him a long time to get over injuries.

This one is going to be a nail-biter, I'm afraid. But we need a win real bad.