Getty Images It’s a little difficult to love the LA Galaxy’s chances of gaining a result tonight as Bruce Arena’s team completes the trio of MLS-involved quarterfinal series openers in CONCACAF Champions League.
But I don’t find it so hard to like the Galaxy chances.
Costa Rica’s Herediano is the opposition, currently unbeaten in its last four matches as the teams launch their CCL quarterfinal series. Tonight’s contest (8 p.m. ET, Fox Soccer Channel) is on the FieldTurf of Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero, a smaller field, typically stacked and packed, where the hard-core fans are right on top of the playing surface. (It’s very “Jeld-Wen” that way … so it’s nothing the Galaxy hasn’t seen before.)
The Galaxy will be fighting this CONCACAF fight with a shorter stick. Landon Donovan is still on vacation, and the two-time defending MLS champs have yet to replace David Beckham and his Designated Player ability.
(MORE: Seattle falls in CCL series opener)
On the other hand, the Galaxy roster remains full of workers, and Arena’s teams are typically wise and well-organized. Those elements, along with some strong performances along the back line – which commanding center back Omar Gonzalez is sure to deliver, for one – are exactly what the soccer doctors order in these regional clashes.
The likes of Todd Dunivant, Mike Magee, A.J. DeLaGarza, Sean Franklin, Juninho, Robbie Keane and others can be counted on to find the right spots, and to put in the work once they get there.
Without an MLS match to deal with this weekend, Arena is expected to field his top side – something like the one that hammered Chicago last weekend (4-0) in the team’s league opener.
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