LA Galaxy vs FC Dallas (8/26)

[acosta19]

LA Galaxy vs FC Dallas
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Home Depot Center
Kick-off: 4:00 p.m



Three crucial points are on the line this Sunday when the LA Galaxy hosts FC Dallas at the Home Depot Center. With LA in fourth place and Dallas in sixth, a win over the Galaxy would put the hoops two points behind the defending MLS Cup Champions.

The LA Galaxy will be stepping foot inside the HDC just a couple of days after defeating Metapan in CONCACAF Champions League action. The Galaxy had a successful first appearance in this edition of the tournament, but it was a 5-2 victory that had some controversial calls that could have affected the Galaxy. Landon Donovan didn’t dress for that game, as a hamstring strain kept him out of action. Head coach Bruce Arena said he was “hopeful” Donovan would be able to play on Sunday.

Dallas and Los Angeles have met twice this season, with the Galaxy taking four out of six points disputed thus far. At home, LA was held to a 1-1 draw in April, and in July the Galaxy went to Frisco and took a 1-0 victory over Dallas. In their last MLS games, the Galaxy played Columbus to a 1-1 draw on the road, while Dallas defeated RSL at Rio Tinto Stadium.

LA Galaxy:
37 points, 44 GF, 40 GA
11-11-4, 4th in Western Conference
Home Record: 5-5-1
Away Record: 6-6-3

FC Dallas:
32 points, 33 GF, 35 GA
8-11-8, 6th in Western Conference
Home Record: 5-3-6
Away Record: 3-8-2

THIS IS LA!

[bansky]

hopefully robbie applies some of yesterdays frustrations into his attack on sunday.

[Constant]

This is a crucial game, we are so close to climbing up the ranking. I hope the win yesterday spurs the team on to play well on Sunday.

[miguel]

This game is huge for our playoff hopes. Every team ahead of us is playing a game that they should easily win: san ho vs colorado, rsl vs philly, seattle vs chicas, and vancouver vs timbers. If LA were to lose not only would those four teams get three points ahead but dallas would get within two points.

[acosta19]

Donovan was placed on the club's injury report on Friday and listed as questionable due to a left hamstring strain. Following training on Friday, Arena told reporters that the Galaxy captain's status remains in question for Sunday.*

“Don’t have anything at this point. There’s a chance that he’ll play," said Arena. "We have to have lineup by 3pm on Sunday so we’ll try to take advantage of that time as best we can.”

Update on Buddle too

[glocksout]

If I didn't have a family obligation, I would be there.

[acosta19]

Stephens on facing Dallas:

“Obviously, we have a game this weekend, a really big game. I don’t think that[the Metapán] game was too physically demanding so I think that we will recover well.”

------

FC Dallas also just welcomed back Panamanian striker Blas Perez to training after he missed 11 weeks because of a foot injury, but it’s doubtful he will play this weekend.

Head coach Bruce Arena agreed the remaining regular season schedule can work to his team’s advantage.

“It’s supposed to be, it hasn’t been to date,” he said. “We’d like to believe the home field can be an advantage for our team. Last year we were very good at home, this year we haven’t been. But we have an opportunity to close our home schedule the right way.”

more here

[acosta19]

[miguel]

Blas Perez not playing is good news for us, he's a very dangerous player. Also rsl tied against philly earlier, they're six points ahead of us.

[Bubba71]

My biggest fear is that we cone out sleep walking. Lets face it, MLS has surpassed the central American leagues in the last five years, and we scored at will against Metapan. We won't against Dallas. Our back line needs to be super focused and our mids need to make sure not to give up and dangerous balls. If we can come out focused I think we'll be OK.

[Constant]

Agreed, I think its all about motivation and hopefully after the last game being so heated we are still fired up and hungry. I hope Keane especially will continue with his recent form. Maybe resting Beckham and having Donovan come back would be good for the next game. It seems we do best when 2/3 are on the field.

[MotorJohn]

Dullass got ferreira back, the guy can ball. I hope we get this damn win! WE NEED IT.

[miguel]

San ho and seattle won, rsl tied, and Vancouver lost - an LA win tomorrow would be huge. A win puts the galaxy 3 points behind rsl and seattle, although seattle does have two games in hand.

[Constant]

We need the points on this one to confirm our spot. There are still 6 games left, plenty could happen.

[acosta19]

solid game from all out there. defense did their part, Saunders did his, Villareal gave new energy to the attack and that led to goals. If I'm not mistaking Juninho stealing the ball in the midfield led to Dunivant's goal. Overall a good game from everyone, the galaxy keeps rolling...