MATCH INFO |
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|---|---|
<strong>Matchup</strong> |
Chicago Fire (3-3-2, 11 pts.) at LA Galaxy (2-5-1, 7 pts.) |
<strong>Date</strong> |
Saturday, May 6 • 9:30 p.m. CT |
<strong>Location</strong> |
Carson, Calif. • StubHub Center |
<strong>TV</strong> |
CSN Chicago (Pregame: 9 p.m. CT) |
<strong>Spanish Radio</strong> |
<a href="http://stream.uvneng.com/wrtoam-cf"><strong>Univision América 1200 (WRTO)</strong></a> |
<b>MLS Match Preview</b> |
<a href="https://www.chicago-fire.com/post/2017/05/05/chicago-fire-la-galaxy-2017-mls-match-preview"><b>Projected lineups, injuries, and more</b></a> |
The Chicago Fire wrap up their three-match road swing with a contest against the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on Saturday night (9:30 pm CT, CSN Chicago). After defeats in consecutive weekends away from home, head coach Veljko Paunovic's side will be hoping the third time is the charm against a Galaxy side that has underperformed as of late. Ahead of Saturday night's California clash, here are a few key facts, faces and figures to keep in mind:
Key number: 109
It's been an unusual start to the 2017 campaign for the five-time MLS Champion Galaxy. First-year head coach Curt Onalfo's club currently rest second-from-the-bottom in the Western Conference standings on seven points, above only the Colorado Rapids. The Galaxy remain a team with individual talent on par with any team in MLS, but there's been a bit of disjointedness present. While their 13 goals allowed isn't ideal, it's a total mostly on par with the rest of the league at this point. Finishing their chances, then, is where the issue seems to lie. LA has scored just eight goals -- the league's second-lowest total -- on a shot total of 109, the sixth-most in MLS.
Matchup to watch: Brandon Vincent vs. Romain Alessandrini
Alessandrini has been the Galaxy danger man in attack in the early part of the season, particularly with Giovani dos Santos having not scored since the 2017 season-opener on March 4 and Gyasi Zardes still goalless since his return from injury on April 1. Alessandrini leads the team in goals (4), assists (2), shots (32), and shots on goal (12) in eight games played. The Frenchman figures to slot into the right side of the LA midfield, where he'll see quite a bit of second-year defender Brandon Vincent. Vincent himself is enjoying a mostly solid start to his sophomore campaign along the left side of the Fire backline, and will be in for a test against the Ligue 1 veteran Alessandrini come Saturday night.
One big question: Can the Fire tighten up their finishing and secure points on the road?
Last Saturday at Red Bull Arena, the Fire outshot, outpossessed, and outcreated the hosts over the course of 90 minutes, yet returned home without any points to show for it. Nemanja Nikolic and co. managed to put six shots on target, but Red Bull goalkeeper Luis Robles wasn't entirely threatened by any except the equalizing goal. As a result, finishing has been an emphasis in training in the days leading up to this weekend's contest in LA. The Fire will look to put forth a more complete performance -- and be rewarded in doing so -- come Saturday night.
Quote of the Week:
"I'm always going to have LA in my heart, but now it's totally a different situation, where I have to defend the Chicago Fire until the end. That's what I'm going to do."
That's midfielder Juninho speaking from training this week on his return to LA, his first since joining up with the Fire over the offseason. The 28-year-old spent five seasons roaming the Galaxy midfield from 2010-15, and won three MLS Cups in front of the StubHub Center crowd in the process. Much like Dax McCarty's return to Red Bull Arena last week, it figures to be an emotional return for the midfield maestro.
Fire Field Vision powered by NovaCare:
From the media guide:
- The Chicago Fire are 15-20-6 all-time in regular season matches against the LA Galaxy, including a 6-11-3 record in matches played in California.
- The Galaxy head into Saturday's match with an eight-match unbeaten streak (5-0-3) against the Fire, with Chicago's most recent win in the series coming on Aug. 1, 2010, a 3-2 victory in Carson.
- From 2010-15, Juninho scored 18 goals and tallied 23 assists in 187 regular season appearances for the Galaxy. Juninho transferred to Liga MX side Tijuana for the 2016 season and on Dec. 23, 2016 was acquired via loan by the Fire.
- Galaxy midfielder Baggio Husidic spent the first three seasons of his professional career with the Fire, making 40 appearances for the Men in Red from 2009-11.
- Currently serving as an assistant coach with the Galaxy, Ante Razov appeared in 125 regular season games for the Fire over the course of seven seasons, scoring a club high 76 goals and adding 44 assists. On Oct. 3, 2015, Razov was inducted into the Ring of Fire, the club’s Hall of Fame.
