Quiet Weekend at Home Depot Center
For the first time in months, the main soccer field at the Home Depot Center will not see any action this weekend. A bit of a rarity and attributed to the fact that all three of L.A.'s professional soccer teams have taken their respective shows on the road.
Chivas USA will defend its 7 - 1 - 2 record tonight in Kansas City when it takes on the Wizards. The red-and-whites will try to extend their five game unbeaten streak following last week's 2 - 2 tie versus D.C. United in which the Chivas USA defense gave up more than one goal in a match for the first time this year.
Chivas USA remains atop the overall standings with an 8 point lead, having played well at home and on the road throughout the season. The latter should be reason for concern for the Wizards.
Kansas City are coming off a 2 - 0 victory last Saturday over Salt Lake. The road victory helped the team leapfrog into third place in the Eastern Conference standings, a mere point behind the conference leading Chicago Fire. Forward Josh Wolff, veteran 'keeper Kevin Hartman and resurgent forward Claudio El Piojo Lopez have led the team to a 4 - 4 - 2 record that is steadily improving. Their record may not seem impressive at first glance, but the reality is that the Wizards are a dangerous team.
Only Chivas USA has more victories on the season than does the Kansas City side. All of the Wizards' losses have been by a margin of a single goal. A bit of luck may have helped turn some of those losses into ties or victories. Lastly, Wolff shares the scoring lead with Chicago's Brian McBride with six goals. The combination of all these factors should prove to be another good test for the Chivas USA defense, similar to last week's duel with D.C.
The Galaxy travel to Frisco, Texas to take on F.C. Dallas. Both teams share the unfortunate honor of being part of the four team strong grouping of teams with only one victory this year.
Silly mistakes have cost the Galaxy points throughout the year and have led to a 1 - 1 - 7 record. However, the blue-and-gold has managed to build a 7 game undefeated streak via some late game heroics as evidenced by midfielder Eddie Lewis' injury time blast last Sunday against Columbus.
The blue-and-gold defense and 'keeper Donovan Ricketts have been the strong points so far this year. In addition, one shouldn't overlook that despite their lack of victories, their resilience and grit has allowed the team to come back and tie multiple matches. They are showing signs of progress in this year of rebuilding, but they need to jump start the offense.
Dallas has struggled all year and their 1 - 6 - 2 record is the worse in the league. Few things have gone their way this year, but the team is starting to show some signs of life. The need for a victory to get out of the cellar may be sufficient motivation for them to put in a good performance versus the blue-and-gold. Should be an interesting match as the Galaxy are also in desperate need of a victory.
Finally, Los Angeles Sol take on FC Gold Pride on Sunday in the Women's Professional Soccer league version of the California Derby.
Game Details:
Chivas USA at Kansas City
When: Saturday, May 23rd
Time: 5:30 PM
TV: FSC, FSE
Radio: XEWW, 690 AM
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Galaxy at Dallas
When: Saturday, May 23rd
Time: 5:30 PM
TV: DK, FS-W, Match Center
Radio: KTLK, KWKW (8:30 PM)
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Sol at FC Gold Pride
When: Sunday, May 24th
Time: 4:00 PM
TV: FSC