Galaxy vs. Chivas Preview

By: jen | April 10th, 2009

I don’t think the match between the Galaxy and Chivas USA is going to be that clear cut. The odds are in Chivas’ favor given their record (3-0) versus ours (0-1-1). But records aren’t always a clear indicator when these two teams meet.

Before the season began several MLS analysts expected Chivas to perform poorly this season. (Yes, I read it several places but did I save the links? Noooo. You’ll have to believe me.) Perhaps this game will be the start of those predictions.

After an unattractive loss to the Rapids last weekend, the Galaxy regrouped and looked more cohesive and dangerous against the Rapids on Tuesday (Open Cup), eventually losing in PKs. The addition of Gregg Berhalter in the back four seemed key in the defense’s improvement.

Donovan Ricketts and Edson Buddle are both expected to be out, but all other of the Galaxy’s key players should be available.

I think where the game will be won or lost is in the midfield. Chivas’ Paulo Nagamura, and Jesse Marsch are formidable holding midfielders while Nagamura, in particular, feeds the offense well. When you add USMNT player Sacha Kljestan to the midfield lineup Chivas seems as though they can’t lose. With Kovalenko serving a red card suspension the young ‘uns on our team will need to work hard to be effective in the midfield.

The good news is that Chivas’ defense is more porous than their 3-0 record would indicate. Look for Landon to get into space to both create and finish opportunities on goal. If the other forward (Kirovski?, Gordon?) can move effectively, Landon should be able to find more space than he’s seen so far this season.

My prediction? Galaxy 2 — Chivas 1.

UPDATE FROM Nathanhj: Please feel free to use Jen’s preview as you place to leave your running commentary during the game, for people with good phone tech at the game and for folks following along on ESPN2. I’ll be doing periodic updates from the game, myself.

Hopefully we’ll see a Chivas defense like this:

Some Related Galaxy Posts:

Category: 2009 Season, Game Previews, Team News

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Werner

i agree with each comment about Gordon

I AM SICK AND TIRED OF HIM, he can't finish a goal by himself. The goals he has scored are of the work of everybody else. I was watching him take practice shots during the pre-game warm up, and he was horrible! Wasn't even making the pre-game shots! He misses a clear chance in the first half

THEN takes to stupid yellowcards that i think cost us the three points. We could have gotten a goal until his stupid descions.

I can't wait till buddle is healthy, cause Gordon needs to go!
Bob

Nathan- Rickets was warming up with the team before the game. He was doing the same warm-ups the other keepers have been doing. So far so good.
Bob

I missed the Gordon red, but the guy sitting behind me saw the whole thing. Talley was f***ing with Gordon, and Gordon turned and pushed Talley. Stupid move on Gordon's part, but that's what the goats had to do to get even. Who knows what game the ref was watching, or his logic on handing out cards. It bugs me when refs dictate the pace of a match. There have been crappy refs for the last 2 weeks now.
David

Anybody remember that Goldie Hawn movie "Wildcats?" Remember the cheerleaders? "U - G - L - Y, you ain't got no alibi, you ugly, yeah, yeah, you ugly." 'bout sums it up.
Glen

wow, where to begin:
Ricketts had a solid game with some great saves and I believe the only reason the Galaxy walked away with 1 point is because of this man, Man of the Match!

Gordon, what can you say that hasn't been said before, he must have something really dirty on the Galaxy Management to remain on the team :) and then to get red carded out of the game, don't even know what to say about that.

Berhalter, played a pretty game for the most part until that crappy pass and then he had to bring down eskandarian, shaking my head.

Shavar Thomas (Chivas defender), how did this player not get a yellow card by choking Donovan and basically playing the player and not the ball most of the time.

Lots of cheap fouls and yellow/red cards, it was interesting for sure!