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Aron Winter's Toronto FC is one of the few teams Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy had been unable to get a positive result from last season.
On May 15, 2010, the Galaxy and TFC placed to a scoreless draw at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. On June 26th, the Galaxy and TFC once again played to a scoreless draw at BMO Field, the site for this Wednesday's midweek clash.
Los Angeles are currently third in the MLS Western Conference, trailing the Colorado Rapids and Real Salt Lake with a 2-1-2 record (eight points).
The Galaxy are coming off a disappointing 1-1 draw on the road to D.C. United and will need to increase their production and improve on their ball distribution to come away with maximum points.
Toronto FC do feature a former Galaxy player in Alan Gordon, who has scored two goals for TFC. Another player to watch out for is Javier Martina, who also has two goals to his credit.
Offensively, the Galaxy have been stagnant, and the backline of Nana Attakora, Adrian Cann, Ty Harden and Danleigh Borman will look to neutralize the set pieces David Beckham will take. This is where the match cxould be won or lost: the battle of David Beckham vs. the Toronto back line.
Martina, Maicon Santos (who has also recorded a goal this year for Toronto FC), and Gordon provide a potent test for the Galaxy's back four of Leonardo, A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant and Omar Gonzalez, who were solid in breaking up D.C.'s sequences until late in the match.
Of course, winning the favor of the officials wouldn't hurt LA in terms of intangibles, either.
"Well, the officiating in this League is what it is," said Arena to LAGalaxy.com in his efforts to take the high road. "Unfortunately we’re all conditioned to it now anyway and accept it. It is what it is."
So once again, the prospects of the Galaxy facing two opponents instead of one will be a priority as they continue their road trip.
Prediction:
I expect the Galaxy to finally break the scoring deadlock and finish with a result. The production must come in bunches. More chances. Better passing. Defense is only half the battle. The other half is offensive production.
And Los Angeles knows it.
Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Toronto FC 0
Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised locally by MatchDay Live and DirectKick.
INS AND OUTS:
Youth Academy Update
The Los Angeles Galaxy Youth Academy, as mentioned last week, faced Nomads SC at Kinsell Field in San Diego, California. Both side came away victorious.
The Under-18s edged Nomads 3-2. Neil Ignacio scored a brace in the 36th and 60th minute, while Alan Rovira equalized in the 20th minute for Los Angeles.
As for the Under-16s, they shut out Nomads 4-0. Sean Dhillon opened the proceedings in the 27th minute for LA. Then the match opened up late in the second half.
Kevin Labastida scored in the 78th minute, Cole Dimond scored in the 81st, and Sebastian Velasquez added an insurance goal in the 83rd minute of play to make it 4-0 Galaxy.
On Sunday, April 10, the Galaxy Youth Academy Under-18s and U-16s took on Arsenal FC at the Home Depot Center. The match was part of a stretch of six straight home game at Victoria Street.
Scores from the matches with Arsenal FC were not available as this article went to press.
Up next for the Academy is a match with Real So Cal on Sunday, April 17. Kickoff at the Home Depot Center for the Under-18s is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. PT/4:00 p.m. ET, while the Under-16s kickoff at 3:30 p.m. PT/6:30 p.m. ET.
Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com Source: Click Here
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