At first glance there are a lot of similarities between the Galaxy and the visiting Columbus Crew, the two teams that will clash at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night. Some of the common ingredients include: a young goalkeeper trying to make his mark in MLS, a great attacking option out of the right back spot, a foreign import that delivers pinpoint service on crosses and free-kicks, and a striker who is reinventing himself in 2008. Did I mention that Columbus is coached by Southern California soccer-icon Sigi Schmid? Schmid is the man who coached the Galaxy from 1999-2004, during which he helped Los Angeles capture their first MLS Cup. All of this should make for an exciting match-up this weekend.
Schmid's team jumped out the gate this season winning six of their first eight games, thereby pushing themselves to the top of the Eastern Conference. Recently they have lost three of their last four. In league play, goals have been tough for the Crew to find.
Will Hesmer is a rising star in this league and has secured the space between the posts for the Crew after the team struggled to find a regular goalkeeper for most of the 2007 campaign. Defensively, a healthy Chad Marshall and the decision to bring Danny O'Rourke back into the central part of the back four have seen Columbus strengthen their defensive effort. It goes without saying that Frankie Hedjuk will continue to shine on the right side. It is no coincidence that when the Crew play well, Hedjuk is usually having a great game coming forward and combining in the attack.
A few weeks ago, Galaxy fans caught a glimpse of Terry Cooke when the Colorado Rapids came to town. You may recall that I referred to him as the "poor man's Beckham." Well this week you will be treated to the South American version of number 23, Guillermo Barros Schelotto who actually he wears number seven. The 35-year-old Argentinian serves exactly the same role for the Crew that Beckham does for LA. Schelotto brings a wealth of soccer experience and a high soccer IQ to the pitch. He has the ability to send dangerous service to his teammates and put the ball in the back of the net from time to time. Although, it's probably safe to say the paparazzi in Columbus don't chase him, the way they follow David here in Southern California.
One of the players who benefited most from the arrival of Schelotto last season was Galaxy striker Alejandro Moreno, who has six goals and three assists so far in 12 games this season. Moreno is one of those strikers who always works hard, and sometimes his contributions don't always show up in the final stat sheet, but opposing defenses will be quick to tell you that he made it a long night for them. The relationship between Moreno and Schelotto also works well because it is no secret that Moreno is one of the best in the league at drawing fouls (see his stats for fouls suffered over the past five years). Thus, Schelotto sees numerous opportunities during the course of a game to serve the ball into the penalty area off of set piece chances ... DANGEROUS!!
Enough about the Crew, lets talk Galaxy. For the second time this season, LA will have the opportunity to put together a three-game winning streak. The first time this chance came around, the Galaxy (sans Beckham and Donovan) went to Toronto and laid an egg. It is clear that Los Angeles is in a more confident state of mind this time around. I can tell you that standing next to the Galaxy bench for most of the game vs. San Jose last weekend, I noticed a true sense of support and unity amongs this group. When Edson Buddle scored the first of his three goals, every player and coach (except Ruud Gullit because of the knee injury) leaped up off the bench in a collective celebration.
Los Angeles has now scored three or more goals in four of their last five league games, the exception being the above mentioned Toronto egg. So while the scoring continues, it is the defense that seems to be solidifying. The blend of experience and youth with Xavier and Franklin looks to be the tandem to hold down the central part, while Mr. Consistency (Klein) and Randolph/Jazic continue to support the attack from the outside back positions. Alvaro Pires has played well recently; specifically, he seems to have a purpose with the ball at his feet, but his grit and energy defensively have made a big difference too. Finally, the return of LA's number 10 (Donovan) is only going to boost a very lethal attack. I imagine he will be in pristine condition after his recent international duty.
I cannot wait to see how it all plays out on Saturday ... hope to see you there Galaxy fans!
