The Los Angeles Galaxy and the Chicago Fire have been on similar paths all season long. Both teams are struggling in the standings and searching for wins -- and both teams are waiting on the arrival of a designated player signed months ago.
Both teams are also desperate for points, which is why heading into their July 4 meeting at The Home Depot Center, the Galaxy are expecting a dogfight.
"They're going to be playing for everything. Apparently, according to their camp, they have hit rock bottom and they're starting over," said Galaxy veteran Pete Vagenas. "We've yet to hit our stride as consistently as we'd like. We have to try and get as many points as we can every single game. As players we're as desperate as they come for points."
The parallels between the two teams hasn't been lost on Landon Donovan, who will be playing in his first game for the Galaxy since helping the U.S. win the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
"(Chicago) is fairly similar to us where they haven't won in a while and they're not playing their best. Both of us will come out trying to win the game," said Donovan. "I don't think they're coming here to tie. It does them no good at this point."
One of the biggest changes in the Fire side is new head coach Denis Hamlett. With a new coach usually comes a new philosophy, so Los Angeles doesn't really know what to expect heading into Wednesday's game.
"They're going to be different," said Donovan. "Anytime you have a new coach they bring in different ideas. I know (Chris) Armas didn't start the other night (against Colorado). Neither did Thiago. It's going to be interesting as far as the lineup goes. I don't know what to expect."
The Galaxy are familiar with midseason coaching changes. Current head coach Frank Yallop was brought in about this time a year ago, and as far as he's concerned, his side won't be the team against which Chicago turns things.
"We will come out hungry and ready to play against Chicago. We'll try to jump all over them, we'll try and score first and do all the things we talk about before a game," said Yallop. "But we have to execute in the game to do that."
Yallop is dealing with a few changes of his own. Los Angeles has made a number of personnel changes, and getting this team to gel quickly will be difficult. Los Angeles has had an extended time away from the field after having the past weekend off and the new arrivals are starting to get acclimated to their new teammates.
"In the locker room (the chemistry) has been great, but the last thing that comes is on the field," said Yallop. "We've played a little bit in practice and we know each other. It takes a little while."
While Yallop knows it will take some time to get all his pieces exactly where he wants them, the players are ready to go. An extended time off has everyone in the club looking forward to Wednesday's game.
"All of us being athletes, we want to play games, so we've all been waiting," said Vagenas. "It seems like it's been three weeks since our last game so we're all excited to get out and kick some other people."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
