Left-back Corey Ashe will be a key player for Houston Dynamo
Looking at the end-of-season standings some might have already marked down Sunday’s title battle between Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo as a non-contest.
The Californian side were unbeaten at home throughout the campaign as they romped towards the Supporters’ Shield, while Dominic Kinnear’s side only crept into second place in the east in the closing weeks of the regular season.
On top of that, the Galaxy have home-field advantage with the Home Depot Center having been chosen as the venue for the game long ago – something not to be knocked given the aforementioned unbeaten record.
Galaxy’s 41 points from 17 games is just eight fewer than the Dynamo recorded in twice as many outings, while Houston’s away total of 15 points does not bode well.
And just to add insult to injury, Brad Davis has been ruled out of the game after suffering a quad strain in the 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City after stretching to toe a loose ball away from opposing midfielder Graham Zusi.
League assist leader and MVP candidate Davis has been Houston’s best player, and his absence deprives Kinnear’s side of its main supply line as the club loses a great asset both from set pieces and open play.
But Bruce Arena’s men have been beaten before come crunch-time, most notably when Schellas Hyndman’s FC Dallas outplayed them in last season’s Western Conference final. It can be done, but there are certain battles which the club from Texas will need to get the better of.
1. LANDON DONOVAN v COREY ASHE
While one of the slightest players in the league at 5’5” and 154lbs, Ashe has belied his stature to play a crucial role in the Dynamo’s attacking and defensive success, while proving level-headed and driven when away from the pitch.
However, Galaxy captain Donovan, after a goal-heavy start to the season, has led his team just as effectively from his station out on the right. He may be pushed back up front in the absence of the injured Chad Barrett, but assuming Donovan starts on the wing then much of the flow of the game will depend on whether he is pushed back towards his own goal by Ashe or whether he manages to take advantage of the space behind the defender.
2. AJ DELAGARZA v BRIAN CHING
While Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez has been the star of the Galaxy back-line, third-year prospect DeLaGarza has come on strong, particularly in the season’s closing months. However, he will receive a real test if – as is likely to be the case – he gets targeted by Brian Ching. The wily 33-year-old may have his best days behind him, but a number of performances this season have demonstrated that, if used properly, the US international remains a goal threat and a test for any centre-back.
3. JUNINHO v ADAM MOFFAT
Two of the league’s best strikers of the ball will face off against each other in the middle of the park on Saturday, and both have won over fans this season for more than their mere shooting prowess. Scottish midfielder Moffat has looked entirely at home after making the switch from Portland in mid-season and ultimately allowing Davis to slot into a freer role on the left, while Juninho has ousted Chris Birchall from the Galaxy midfield to record 30 starts, truly finding his feet in the second year of his loan spell from Sao Paulo.
In the battle between Moffat’s guile and deliberate movement and Juninho’s youthful energy, Houston will have to hope the man from Glasgow can tame his Brazilian opponent rather than being overrun by him as LA ramp up the pressure.
Tags: Bruce Arena, Corey Ashe, Dominic Kinnear, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, MLS