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Galaxy ready for must win match against Motagua in CCL

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BY ADAM SERRANO

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras. –- The Los Angeles Galaxy face one of the simplest yet most difficult situations in all of sports – win and advance.

A win over last place Club Motagua (10pm ET, FOX Soccer/Galavision) and the Galaxy qualify for the quarterfinals by winning Group A. A tie or a loss and it will be Alajuelense that will advance to the knock out stages. In order to earn the victory, Los Angeles will have to deal with a number of injuries to several key contributors. Robbie Keane remains out with an adductor strain while Landon Donovan declared himself a game time decision due to a nagging quadriceps injury.

Donovan participated in training on Wendesday, but admitted earlier in the week that he's likely to play at least some role on Thursday, even if that means coming off the bench. 

“I expect that I'll keep improving so that I'll be able to contribute in some way," said Donovan after training on Tuesday "If I can start the game then I want to start the game if not then I can contribute in some way. In a perfect world, some guys that need some rest don't need to play."

Regardless of the injury situation, the Galaxy will need to defeat a reeling Motagua team in order to qualify for the quarterfinals. Currently Motagua are last in the Honduran Apertura and have earned just a single result in 11 matches in all competitions. The Hondurans downturn has led to a coaching change that has failed to change Motagua's recent fortunes. 

Although Motagua has not yet earned a point during the tournament, they remain one of the most talented teams in Honduras with several former MLS players including former MLS MVP Amado Guevara. With a full crowd expected on Thursday, the Galaxy understand that they will get the best that Motagua have to offer. 

“It'll be interesting to see, they're in a bit of bad form they're struggling and they're in last place, but if I know them, they'll be prideful,” said Donovan. “I'm sure their fans will be excited for the game. They're out of the competition, but they'll want to put on a good show for their fans so we're going in with the expectation that it's going to be full, loud, relatively hostile and hard game.”  

As is the case in Central America, a victory will depend on the Galaxy's ability to deal with the elements and the field conditions. This time, the Galaxy will need to do with the expansive field at the Estadio Nacional, which is one of the largest fields among teams participating in the CONCACAF Champions League. 

"It's a big and really thick field with kind of heavy grass," said defender Todd Dunivant. "The ball sits up on a tee the whole time. But its also a little wavy. Its not the worst field, but its a huge field, 80 by 120, so possession is going to be key. 

"I don't think that its a bad thing," Dunivant added. "Its bigger than Home Depot, and I think it feels a little bit bigger because of the track, but with the heavy grass, the balls going to be staying in, and there's going to be a lot of room to play." 

Regardless of the injuries, conditions or even the opponent, the Galaxy understand that the objective is simple — just win. 

“It's a big game, we need to get a result," said David Beckham. "It's going to be a tough place to go and win, but it's a must.”

Comments

  1. Actually, just looked it over and Alajuelense is actually -1 goal differential.

    So it was Galaxy +1, Morelia 0 an Ala -1.

    That’s why the Galaxy won the group and Morelia came in second.

    Reply
  2. You just listed it — the second tie-breaker is goal difference in group matches between THE TEAMS CONCERNED. So the goal differential from the Motagua matches aren’t considered. Among games between the 3 teams tied at 12 (Galaxy, Morelia, Alajuelense) the Galaxy is +1 and the other two are 0.

    So the Galaxy win the group and Morelia takes second based on one of the later tie-breakers (don’t know which).

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  3. If these games were officiated by any half-way competent, unbiased official there is no way any Central American/Mexican team would finish the game with more than 9 players.

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  4. Who the hell does Concacaf hire to do its commentary. I keep hearing about Galaxy Players “Hedge Duke” and “Junioro.” What a joke.

    Reply
  5. Also according to Wikipedia with reference to the rules http://www.concacaf.com/staticFiles/7b/72/0,,12813~160379,00.pdf

    If two or more teams are equal on points on completion of the group matches, the following criteria are applied to determine the rankings (in descending order):[7]

    greater number of points earned in group matches between the two teams concerned;
    greater number of goal difference in group matches between the two teams concerned;
    greater number of away goals in group matches between the two teams concerned;
    apply the above criteria if two or more teams are still tied;
    greater goal difference in all group matches;
    greater number of goals scored in all group matches;
    greater number of away goals scored in all group matches;
    drawing of lots.

    Am I missing something.

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  6. Can anyone tell me why will the Galaxy finish first int the group with a win. If they win they pass, but Morelia now has +6 goal difference and Galaxy +3, so they need to win at leas by 4 goals, if they win by 3 they will both have +6 but Morelia still scored more goals which is usually the next criteria. Also head-to-head is a tie because both games finished 2-1.

    So as far as I know the criteria for this tournament is.

    points
    head-to-head
    goal difference
    goals scored
    goals received

    Let me know if I’m wrong.

    Reply
  7. Struggle?

    If we win this game, we finish first in what was the consensus hardest group…

    Of course, we might also have already wrapped up a spot if a horrible offsides call wasn’t made in our game in Mexico…

    Reply
  8. If either Seattle or LA make the Cup final (they both can’t get there), then the team with the 3rd best league record, currently RSL, get a CCL spot…

    Reply

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