CARSON, Calif. – When the LA Galaxy weren’t winning the MLS Cup over the past four years, it was Sporting Kansas City.
And on Saturday, two of the league’s most successful clubs – LA, defending Cup champion and winner of three of the last four, and 2013 champion Kansas City – will face off as Western Conference opponents for the first time in more than a decade at StubHub Center (10:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
One of 10 charter members of MLS, Sporting spent their first nine seasons of existence in the Western Conference before shifting to the east ahead of the 2005 season. Once known as the Wizards, Sporting have come a long way since the days of playing in cavernous Arrowhead Stadium, adding another pedigreed opponent to an already stacked conference.
“They’re a good team,” said head coach Bruce Arena. “They’ve been among the better teams in the league over the last three years.”
Kansas City’s attacking strength this season has been through the air, with four of their six goals coming from headers. But renowned distributor Benny Feilhaber will be without favorite set piece target Ike Opara, who was lost to a season-ending ankle injury last weekend. That could mean Homegrown defender Kevin Ellis gets the start next to Matt Besler, who sat out the US national team’s midweek friendly against Mexico with an illness.
“They lost a good center back last week for sure,” said Arena, “but they have the advantage getting Besler back without playing any minutes on Wednesday.”
LA’s national-team representatives, center back Omar Gonzalez and forward Gyasi Zardes, each went 90 minutes for the United States on a questionable Alamodome surface in San Antonio. Their match fitness is a game-day decision, Arena said.
The Galaxy will have their depth tested beyond international duty.
Robbie Keane missed last weekend’s match with a groin strain and is currently day-to-day. Jose Villarreal was the breakout star of March, but an injury has limited his minutes in April.
“The whole season is a test of the depth of your team,” said Arena, “given the various issues we have with injuries and the international calendar this year. Last week will be a typical week for our team, and in the league probably.”
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That puts the onus on players like reserve forward Alan Gordon, who scored a goal for the Galaxy last week and may be called on again to be the lone scoring threat up top.
Some other players Arena may turn to include 18-year-old former academy forward Bradford Jamieson IV and recently acquired Finnish midfielder Mika Vayrynen, who has battled some knocks but will likely be available for selection.
The club also raved about the services of seldom-used reserve Rafael Garcia, who was employed in a two-defensive midfielder formation alongside Juninho in LA’s 1-0 win Saturday over the Seattle Sounders.
