The LA Galaxy is in town to take on the Impact, this Saturday at 8pm at Stade Saputo (RDS [pregame show at 7:30pm], 98,5fm [pregame show at 7pm] & TSN Radio 690 [pregame show at 7pm]). Here are 10 things to know before the only game of the season against the five-time MLS Cup champions.
Context
The Galaxy (5-1-5, 20 pts) hasn’t lost since its second game of the season, at Colorado. Then again, it also has won only once in its last four games and just grabbed a bittersweet point; last Sunday, at its StubHub Center home, the Galaxy thought it had clinched a win after scoring in the 83rd minute against rivals San Jose, but Fatai Alashe made it a 1-1 tie with an equalizer four minutes later. And international call-ups will deprive the Galaxy of some players for the coming weeks: Baggio Husidic (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Robbie Keane (Republic of Ireland) and Gyasi Zardes (United States).
Current form
W-W-D-W-D-D
Head coach
Bruce Arena (118-64-69 as LA Galaxy head coach, 195-116-78 all-time in MLS) has been LA Galaxy head coach since August 18, 2008. After a quiet playing career, Arena became head coach at the University of Virginia in 1978. 18 years and five national championships later, Arena took over at D.C. United, where he won two MLS Cups, a U.S. Open Cup and a CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. Arena then replaced Steve Sampson as United States men’s national team head coach and led the team to two FIFA World Cups, reaching the quarters in 2002. A one-and-a-half-year-stint at New York Red Bulls followed, after which Arena started rewriting LA Galaxy history with three MLS Cups in four years. A three-time MLS Coach of the Year, Arena was also part of the Montreal sports scene in 1975 as he tallied 45 goals and 46 assists in 44 games for the Montreal Québécois of the National Lacrosse League.
Current top scorer
Giovani dos Santos (4)
Players to watch
1. Steven Gerrard (#8) – The Liverpool FC legend has already matched his production from last year. When the Galaxy hits a wall, he’s often called upon to overcome it.
2. Ashley Cole (#3) – After an unsuccessful spell in Italy, the former Arsenal and Chelsea man brought his typical attacking drive to Los Angeles.
3. Daniel Steres (#44) – A revelation in the California backline, Steres has appeared in every game this season and done well on duels.
Team profile
The Galaxy can attack in a variety of ways, but is most efficient attacking at speed. Its defensive block takes a more aggressive approach than many others in MLS and looks to recover the ball quickly. In central defence, Van Damme is more adventurous than Steres, which in turn leads to de Jong or Husidic dropping deeper than their No. 6 position to cover. Cole and Rogers/DeLaGarza, at full back, are quite attack-minded and often push forward together, which can raise issues in defensive transition. Cole, in particular, has made the left flank his, pushing the left-most midfielder into a narrower position. In any case, the Galaxy regularly puts together passing moves in the middle, what with its technical proficiency. When he’s not dropping deep, de Jong is useful to recover second balls and look for Gerrard, who can swiftly play forward balls. The Galaxy also switches the point of attack quickly and scores on (often low) crosses – although the team also concedes its fair share of goals in such situations. The Keane-Zardes pairing, unavailable against the Impact this Saturday, is a handful. Keane can drop deep and create overloads, while Zardes pushes the backline and creates space for his colleagues between the lines. In their absence, dos Santos will take on more responsibilities to dictate the play.
Tactical formation
Bruce Arena isn’t tied to one formation nor fond of labels. 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-3-1-2; he can adapt. Lineup v. San Jose (May 22): Rowe; Rogers, Steres, Van Damme, Cole; Magee, de Jong, Gerrard; Dos Santos; Zardes, Keane.
Against the Impact last season
The Impact did well on September 13, 2015, clinching a 0-0 tie at StubHub Center. The Galaxy had just won six games on the trot, scoring no fewer than 27 goals. Montreal then only conceded four shots on target to their hosts.
Injuries (as of May 25)
None
Next games
LA Galaxy v Sporting Kansas City (MLS, June 2)
Toronto FC v LA Galaxy (MLS, June 18)
LA Galaxy v Colorado Rapids (MLS, June 22)
