Apr 062012
When the schedule initially came out many people had labeled this as one of the biggest matches of the 2012 season and now with the lackluster start of the Los Angeles Galaxy some of the shininess has rubbed off.
Aside from poking jokes at the Galaxy and their poor start to the season in both MLS and falling out of the CONCACAF Champions League the Galaxy are still the same team that won the 2011 MLS Cup, for the most part.
Before the season even began the loss of Omar Gonzalez was going to complicate matters in the back line. Now it seems that the defense can only survive if the offense comes out and outscores the opposition. In between the two legs of the Champions League there was the 3-1 loss at home to Real Salt Lake, 3-1 over DC United and 3-1 to the New England Revolution.
Now LA leaves the confines of the Home Depot Center for the first time in league play for Livestrong Sporting Park to take on the high flying Eastern Conference team that is Sporting Kansas City.
Four games played and four victories for Sporting KC as they try and top their finish as the best in the Eastern Conference. Two games on the road and two at home, outscoring their opponents 7-1 both the defense and offense are pulling their weight as they lead the way in every way in MLS.
Where is this success coming from? Its from the 4-3-3 formation of Peter Vermes.
The defense of Myers, Collin, Besler, and Sinovic with Nielsen in goal has been a foundation that with stability has been able to thrive and work together and become one of the better defenses in the league which in turn has helped the offense start to bloom in the 2011 season.
With a strong talented defense behind them the offense has been able to be built and had the chance to make pay dirt as the team, since the opening of Livestrong Sporting Park last year, has been able to constantly get forward and create offensive opportunities with weapons Kei Kamara, Teal Bunbury, CJ Sapong, Graham Zusi, and recent off season acquisition Bobby Convey things are looking bright in the Midwest.
Prediction: Sporting KC dispatches LA Galaxy 2-1, conceding a second half goal
Brian Sanders
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