Game Preview: LA Galaxy

I hate to use so many extreme adjectives in the young history of this blog but the game against LA Galaxy today might be one the most unpredictable games in the history of the MLS.  Galaxy are at the top of the table and have dominated most of their games this year but a 1-1-1 in their last three MLS matches that include a loss that to the weak New England Revolution have put the inevitable Supporters' Shield on hold.  Throw in a CONCACAF Champions League 4-1 loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders despite starting Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle and you have a team on full crisis mode.  Will Donovan and Buddle start after playing this past Tuesday against the Islanders and getting minutes in the Thursday MLS All-Star game?  Don't forget the fact that the LA Galaxy enjoy a six point lead in the MLS standings and could still beat the Islanders with a three goal win this Wednesday.

On the Fire side of the coin, there's no telling how they will play either.  For almost every game this year Carlos de los Cobos has featured a 4-5-1 offense.  They even played 4-5-1 against Pumas despite the fact that CDLC announced the team would switch to a 4-4-2 offense with Nery Castillo on the team.  I figured with the team eliminated from SuperLiga's next round, we would get some practice with the new 4-4-2 formation.  Castillo is out but new acquisition Freddie Ljungberg is in.  Ljungberg couldn't possibly start after one practice with the team could he?  If we are fighting for points here, will CDLC turn to the familiar 4-5-1?  Let's not forget the goaltender controversy either.  I think Sean Johnson is going to be in goal tomorrow but it is all up in the air.  I hope with the long break the Fire can take a risk on the 4-4-2 and start this lineup:

McBride----John
          Ljungberg
Nyarko------Pappa
-------Pause------
Krol-Conde-Brown-Kinney
-------Johnson--------

Maybe Corben Bone will start in Ljungberg's place but I can't see anyone else playing the attacking mid right now.  I think our lack of chemistry will play against us and a draw would be lucky.  If I'm the coach, I start playing how I want us to play the rest of the year and use a game against the best MLS team as somewhat of a wash.