CONCACAF Champions League: LA Galaxy has the home advatage, Monterrey - the momentum
Robbie Keane #7 of the Los Angeles Galaxy-Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
On Wednesday, not all eyes will be on the European Champions League clashes. At 10 p.m. ET Major League Soccer champions from Los Angeles Galaxy will be facing off Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
Beating the Rayados will be a tough task as the two-time defending CCL champions are also in great form despite just recently changing coaches. They have not performed on top level in their home league in Mexico (four losses in seven matches), but, to be fair, Galaxy are underperforming as well (two wins and two ties). What’s currently important, if you don’t care about statistics, is that the Mexican team actually has the momentum. They answered criticism and doubts by winning five matches in a row in all competitions. Their forward Aldo de Nigris is enjoying being able to score from, what is seems, everywhere. Humberto “Chupete” Suazo is extremely valuable assisting his teammates to score. A playmaker like that is missing in the Galaxy squad at the moment.
Yahoo! Sports reports that Monterrey’s team will not include their regular goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco because of a hamstring injury. Striker Omar Arellano is also out.
Because of what Landon Donovan said on Monday, the tensions may be high to see Suazo vs. Robbie Keane. Donovan complemented the Chilean player : “For me, Suazo might be the best pure player in this region,” the LA Galaxy star said on Monday about Monterrey’s Humberto Suazo, before adding, “aside from maybe a guy on our team.” Suazo is and has been the big soccer star in Mexico (apart from maybe Javier Hernandez but he plays for Manchester United) while Keane has only been in Los Angeles for a little less than two years but has been a key member to the team’s success scoring practically every other games.
LA Galaxy may not have the psychological advantage but they have the physical one because they are playing at home. Winning in their home leg game against the “team to beat in the CCL” may turn to be key in the overall outcome of the quarterfinals. They can be happy even if they don’t concede a goal. In all honesty, Galaxy play well when they are away.
Last but not least, Donovan himself would be a reason to watch. He just recently returned to the pitch after a break from soccer. People were not even she he’d even come back. It’s unlikely that he’ll play the whole 90 minutes though because he is still a little “rusty.” Galaxy may need him more in the second leg.
