Coming into the 2007 season, one of the biggest strengths for the Los Angeles Galaxy was their depth in the midfield. The Galaxy already had veteran L.A. campaigners like Pete Vagenas and Cobi Jones, then re-signed Kyle Martino and Santino Quaranta, both of whom came to the club last season. Los Angeles further strengthened the middle of the park when they recently added Ian Russell to the roster.
The Galaxy's next opponent, FC Dallas, has taken a more 'addition by way of subtraction' approach to the midfield this season. Veteran leaders like Simo Valakari, Ronnie O'Brien and Richard Mulrooney have all departed, and the only real addition has been Colombian midfielder Juan Toja, while former Galaxy hard-man Marcelo Saragosa has also claimed a starting role.
"They've changed it up but there are still good players in there," said L.A. head coach Frank Yallop about the Galaxy's opponent on Thursday. "Saragosa was here and he's a good solid experienced player that knows MLS inside out. I look at what Dallas has and make sure that we don't get caught with any surprises."
Both teams have started the 2007 campaign playing essentially the same system, with two deep-lying midfielders and three more attacking players. For the Galaxy, the playmaking role in behind the target striker is filled by Landon Donovan; for FC Dallas, it's Ramon Nunez. At The Home Depot Center, the Galaxy are looking to put on the pressure in midfield from the outset and not let the Hoops get comfortable.
"It's our home field. It's a big field and it's what we're comfortable with," said Donovan. "If we can get a lot of the play and move the ball, we'll do well. They have some good players in there but not guys who are used to how things work in the league. Hopefully we can exploit that."
One thing the Galaxy can't do is get too caught up in what Dallas is going to try to do once the whistle blows. According to Martino, he and his teammates are going to approach every opponent the same way. To a man, the Galaxy feel that a repeat performance of their season opener will result in a win on Thursday.
"If we win that midfield battle it's because we're coming out with the same mentality as every game," said Martino, "which is to be intense, to be the aggressors and take care of the ball, get forward and be dangerous."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
