(Editorial) – The 2016 LA Galaxy season is upon us. They will host Club Santos Laguna this Wednesday at 7 pm PST on Fox Sports 1 in the first leg of a knockout round CONCACAF Champions League series. The Liga MX-MLS rivalry has been one sided in the recent era. The current format of the CCL was adopted in the 2008-09 season. Since then, Liga MX teams have won 12 of 14 head-to-head knockout series against MLS teams.
The only two wins: In the 2013 knockout round, the Seattle Sounders defeated Tigres 3-2 on aggregate. They were down 0-2 going into the second half of the second leg. They then scored three unanswered goals against a 10-man Tigres B team to advance. Then Montreal Impact beat Pachuca last year on away goals. In both of these series, the MLS club hosted the second leg of the series.
The four MLS clubs have a collective Sisyphean task ahead of them. The series cannot be won in the first leg, especially for the club hosting the first leg. The series can however be lost in the first leg, as the Galaxy learned in 2013. What then needs to happen in this LA Galaxy CCL leg one for them to have a chance to advance? Let’s break it down.
Chemistry, Especially In Defense:
The knockout rounds of the CCL come at a time when MLS clubs are still figuring out their lineups and formation. This year, the quarterfinals will be done prior to the start of the MLS season. The Liga MX clubs meanwhile are over a month into the Clausura. Santos has played seven league games. They are 3-1-3 (winless in their last three) but two losses came to Club America and Monterrey. Both are in the top four.
Fitness is a key issue (more on that later), but defensive chemistry, or lack thereof, have been issues for MLS teams. This is especially true for the LA Galaxy, despite them playing CCL with a back line that has experience together.
The Galaxy now have a brand new back line. They have two new defenders and a new goalkeeper. One of their defenders has switched positions. This is the most turnover the LA Galaxy defense has had going into the CCL knockout round under Bruce Arena. Arena will have a plan for this. It’s just a matter of whether it will work or not.
There are some concerns about the defense considering how the Galaxy played in a preseason loss to the Seattle Sounders. That said, the game was played on a near water-logged field (Seattle’s specialty). No rain is projected this week.
The key in this match will be no costly mistakes at the back. The back line does not need to be perfect, but they cannot give Santos any gifts. If they are going to concede an away goal, Santos must earn it. Communication and positioning will be critical, especially on set pieces and counters. Santos could look to stay organized as the visitors and then look to go forward on counter attacks. Hopefully Nigel de Jong can boss the midfield to take pressure off the defense. The first objective in this game for the LA Galaxy will be to keep a clean sheet.
Wing Play:
Santos primarily plays a 4-2-3-1 right now. In typical Liga MX style, they are currently transitioning from a recent coaching change. One positive to the schedule is that Santos will be on three days rest leading up to the match. The same will be true for the second leg. It’s unclear whether Luis Zubeldia will play the senior team or some of the kids. Santos does boast several quality youngsters.
Regardless, the Galaxy will be expected to come out attacking. With the Bruce Arena 4-4-2, the full backs will be getting into the attack. Ashley Cole and Robbie Rogers are expected to start. Against a 4-2-3-1, there will be space on the wings for the Galaxy wide players. Cole and Rogers need to get into the attack at times.
More critically, Giovani dos Santos needs to create out wide. The DP Mexican International has played primarily at right midfield this preseason and has not contributed much to the attack. The Santos defense could be more prepared for him due to familiarity as well. Dos Santos needs to show up. He’ll have to do so against one of the best full backs in MLS from last year, in Jorge Villafana. He could have the toughest task of any of the LA Galaxy players. Dos Santos showing up (or not) could be the difference in this match.
CONCACAF Or Be CONCACAFed:
In the spirit of #CONCACAFed, this game will not be without some referee enigmas and shenanigans after the whistle. It’s tough to predict who is going to get the short end of a decision. Physicality will be required throughout the match regardless. Fortunately, the Galaxy have added some much-needed bite down the middle. Jelle Van Damme is exactly what the Galaxy needed in replacing Omar Gonzalez. He’s a physical center back who’s good in the air. And he will lay you out if needed. Nigel de Jong (and possibly Jeff Larentowicz off the bench) will provide something similar from a holding midfield position. All three of these guys are new to CCL and to CONCACAF referees, but they’re veterans. Arena will have them watch film and be prepared for the style.
The Galaxy also have an ace up the sleeve in Alan Gordon. His late game heroics aside, Gordon is a perfect player for CONCACAF. He’s a physical veteran. He’s not afraid to get a yellow card. And if you try to CONCACAF him, he will CONCACAF you back. He played several times in the group stage last season and was very effective.
Fitness And Bench Impact:
As previously stated, the Galaxy are still in preseason form. Only goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has played 90 minutes this preseason. The Galaxy have a lot of depth and I expect Arena to use all three substitutions. That said, eight field players are going 90 for the first time in 2016 on Wednesday. Many of the over 30 crowd will go 90. The key will be to pace themselves and weather the storm if and when Santos turn it on. As we saw against Monterrey in 2013, it is better to protect a lead and win 1-0 than to go for a second goal and end up conceding. They will have had a week since the friendly against Seattle. They might not be fit, but they should be rested.
Depending on the starting lineup, we could see any number of substitutions. Gordon and Mike Magee could come off the bench and contribute to the attack. Emmanuel Boateng could bring some speed and width to the game. Maybe a fullback comes in during the second half for a gassed Ashley Cole and works hard on both sides of the ball. They will need to make an impact with fresh legs in this LA Galaxy CCL match. If Santos does not start their first team, they will undoubtedly have some excellent bench options.
