After managing to draw even with the Quakes last week on a last minute Landon Donovan goal, the Los Angeles Galaxy hope to return to their winning ways as they face another natural disaster in the Chicago Fire (4-5-5).
The Galaxy lead the all time series with Chicago 15-14-3, 8-5-3 all time at home. Last year the Galaxy swept the season series, with Landon Donovan scoring 2 of the 3 LA goals. The Galaxy managed to keep a clean sheet against Chicago last year.
Chicago comes into Home Depot Center having given up more goals than they've scored, with 18 for and 19 against. Most of the goals have come off the right foot in open play, fairly standard. Chicago's head coach Carlos de los Cobos has his squad coming out in a 4-2-3-1, in his first season, after a long history in the Mexican leagues.
Mike Magee, who scored the Galaxy's other goal against Chicago last season, is still out as he recovers from surgery, as is David Beckham, who fought off transfer rumors as the European Silly Season heats up, stating through an intermediary that he's committed to returning to the Galaxy this season, and that he has no intention of transferring to West Ham. Juninho was warned in the Galaxy's last match against San Jose, so will have to play cautiously this match to avoid suspension.
After the bleak loss to Puerto Rico in Champions League play, the Galaxy are excited about returning to the MLS table, though there are still issues that need to be cleared. After allowing just 4 goals in the first 14 games of the season, the Galaxy have allowed 6 in the last 4 league games.
About the San Jose game, coach Bruce Arena said:
"You have those nights," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "I hope it's a good lesson for our guys. We were a little sloppy to start the game and it almost cost us more than a couple points. I'm more than satisfied with the way we attacked and created chances, but very disappointed the way we came out at the start of the game."
Hopefully tonight the Galaxy can avoid the slow start and add a fury to their attack which has had trouble finishing the way it did in the early part of the season.
Chicago has made several changes to their lineup in the last few games, with Kwame Watson-Siriboe from Chino Hills, CA who played his college soccer at UConn making his MLS debut, and reserve keeper Sean Johnson indicated as the starter in this match. Since ending their participation in SuperLiga, Chicago has traded Justin Mapp to Philadelphia.