Red-and-White Hit The Road, Galaxy Set for Rematch
Maykel Galindo won't make the trip to Houston due to injury, but that won't stop the hostilities between Chivas USA and Houston Dynamo. Photo courtesy cdchivasusa.com
Chivas USA takes its first road trip of the year to face an old nemesis, the Houston Dynamo, arguably the team's biggest rival outside of the Galaxy. Matches between the two are always tense and hard fought, the result of a string of incidents between them over the years, beginning with the Dynamo having ousted Chivas USA from the playoffs on multiple occasions.
Although the Dynamo has lost a few key players, including Stu Holden and Ricardo Clark, little is expected to change in the way that the rivalry will play itself out on the field. To the contrary, tensions on the field may escalate. Houston dropped a 2 - 0 decision at home last week to the Galaxy and should be expected to be doing all they can to prevent a second straight loss at home.
On the other side, the red-and-white will be looking to build on their first victory of the year, earned last Saturday afternoon against New York Red Bulls. The 2 - 0 victory helped the L.A. side gain some confidence, but came at a cost. Forward Maykel Galindo injured his ankle in the second half and is expected to be out at least another week. Likewise, defender Ante Jazic also left the New York match after an injury and is unlikely to see any action until late May.
These injuries will force Head Coach Martin Vasquez to once again shuffle his lineup for today's lineup, but regardless, expect a tough, hard fought game this afternoon.
Later today, the Home Depot Center will host a rematch of last year's MLS Cup Final when the L.A. Galaxy take on Real Salt Lake for the first time this year. The Galaxy comes into the match with a perfect 3 - 0 record and more impressively, the blue-and-gold have yet to allow a goal this year.
It is hard to find a fault in the Galaxy machine at this point in time. Starting from the back, 'keeper Donovan Ricketts has not been called into action too often, but has been solid when called up, much like in his first season last year. The back four are healthy, young and anchored by the two previous year's Rookie of the Year winners. On the offensive side, forward Edson Buddle is on a tear, tallying five goals in three matches. Landon Donovan continues his great form and seems determined to raise his profile even further before the World Cup. The addition of the Brazilians Juninho in the midfield and Leonardo on the defensive side has proven to be a very good move on the part of General Manager and Head Coach Bruce Arena, as both have helped improve the squad.
Real Salt Lake has had a good start to the season, picking up where they left off last year, but if they are expecting to see the same Galaxy squad they beat in the MLS Cup Final, they are in for a big surprise. This is likely to be the match of the week as Real won't easily succumb.
Game Details
Chivas USA at Houston Dynamo
When: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM
TV: TeleFutura
Radio: 690 AM
Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
When: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Where: Home Depot Center, Carson
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: FSC, FSE
Radio: 1150 AM, 1330 AM