After Saturday's loss to Real Salt Lake, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said he would "have to make changes against Toronto."
He made two changes to the lineup from Wednesday's game in Toronto, and apparently fatigue forced the Galaxy to crash and burn in the end. Changes then seemed not only likely but necessary.
Except when you actually look at what Arena is dealing with.
The Galaxy's game against Toronto FC is not a win-or-else match; they can tie 0-0 or 1-1 and go through. But the series is an advance-or-else series. Not getting past Toronto FC would be a catastrophe and would be well short of where the Galaxy figured they'd advance.
With that scenario then, who does Arena rest? David Beckham? Landon Donovan? Robbie Keane? Absolutely no chance any of them rest.
Todd Dunivant? AJ De La Garza? Sean Franklin? No, no and no.
Juninho is a lock to return to the lineup since Marcelo Sarvas is cup-tied. Josh Saunders is not going anywhere.
Edson Buddle? Highly unlikely. Mike Magee? Same as Buddle, to a little bit of a lesser extent.
That leaves the center back spot. Tommy Meyer could start and be fine - he did not play in Toronto. But that's hardly a massive change either way.
So if I'm a betting man, then I'd place my wager on this lineup:
Saunders: Dunivant, De La Garza, Meyer, Franklin; Magee, Juninho, Beckham, Donovan; Keane, Buddle.
Gee, that looks very familiar.
3 comments:
100% Agree Luis. Once you actually break it down by player it would be hard to see Arena switching out anyone but Meyer/Boyens. Doesn't mean Barrett can't come off the bench like before! But you can't make any other changes!
the screw up happened in the game against salt lake. mls is a long season should of just milked that game.
It's possible Keane & Becks could start on the bench & come on in the second half for a "boost" to put the game away. If there's two people in this lineup that I believe will have trouble going the full 90, it's these guys...
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