<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a title="IMG_1201 by kleinnick, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kleinnick/5681793960/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5187/5681793960_9960ae4b27.jpg" alt="IMG_1201" width="500" height="333"></figure></div></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Photo by kleinnick</p></div>
<p>Wednesday night is quietly becoming a great night for MLS. &nbsp;Over the past few weeks the league has put some very good matches on with some compelling story lines. &nbsp;This week is no different, as tonight we will see two teams with drastically different styles face off as they try to continue their climbs up the table. &nbsp;This game has all the excitement of the past weekend’s matches, plus a European star, a few players making questionably high salaries, and a struggling offense on the road trying to break down a stubborn defense. &nbsp;I of course speak of the FC Dallas/Toronto FC match.</p>
<p>However, I doubt that this is the match most soccer fans are excited to watch. &nbsp;The Philadelphia-Los Angeles clash tonight at 7:30 PM ET on DirectKick features top two teams from each conference. &nbsp;Philadelphia is coming off a tough loss to Portland, where their defense held the Timbers at JELD-WEN until a second half goal did them in. &nbsp;Regardless, they are playing the best defense in the league, only allowing three goals in seven matches, and doing just enough to have secured second place in the East.</p>
<p>The Galaxy, meanwhile, are coming off their emotional game against New York, which ended in a 1-1 draw. &nbsp;The days after the match have seen various snips in the media from Galaxy players (<a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/luke-rodgers-vs-landon-donovan-war-of-words/12577" target="_blank">see Daniel’s take on our site</a>) about uncalled fouls against them. &nbsp;Regardless of what’s called or not, Los Angeles is ahead of RSL for first in the Western Conference and at 16 points is your early leader for the Supporters’ Shield.</p>
<p>Their last meeting is a good guide to tonight’s match. &nbsp;On April 2nd, a Leonardo header off a Beckham free kick in the 33rd minute was the difference as the Galaxy won 1-0. &nbsp;Overall the Galaxy have never lost to the Union, having outscored them 5-1 in the three times they’ve met. &nbsp;The lineups will likely be similar for both teams except last game’s goal scorer is out with “a knee” for the visitors [and Beckham will miss the game due to Bruce Arena giving him the game off]. &nbsp;And if you are looking for more subplots, Carlos Ruiz will face his former team for the first time with the Union; he played for the Galaxy from 2002-2005 and again in 2008.</p>
<p>This game will be low scoring, take that to the bank. &nbsp;Here are some keys for who will likely come out ahead with that critical one goal:</p>
<ul>
<li>Both teams are coming off of emotional games on national television, so the team that is more focused will certainly have an edge.</li>
<li>Philadelphia has to be careful with fouls and try not to give up corner kicks or free kicks on their half of the field. &nbsp;Everyone knows the beauty of Beckham’s service, but set plays have been the best scoring option for the Galaxy recently. &nbsp;Landon Donovan has scored the last four goals for the visitors over three games, and the most recent one was off a Beckham corner. &nbsp;Los Angeles is struggling to score in open play, so allowing them set pieces is playing into their offense.</li>
<li>The Portland strategy will not work for the Union this week, even though they almost escaped with a point last weekend. &nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: line-through">Peter Nowak </span>The Union staff &nbsp;[note: Peter Nowak will miss tonight’s game]&nbsp;needs to find ways to get the ball to Carlos Ruiz in the offensive half. &nbsp;This team cannot simply absorb the Galaxy’s pressure, LA is too good to not find a way to score. &nbsp;And you can bet Andrew Chapin has heard the complaints in the media and will award penalties on close plays.</li>
<li>The key to this game will be Brian Carroll. &nbsp;The midfielder has a tough task to disrupt the Galaxy midfield, the strength of their attack. &nbsp;Playing in the middle, he has to prevent Juninho from finding space to shoot from outside the box as well as disrupt any long balls&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: line-through">from Beckham</span> to Donovan, Magee, and the forwards. &nbsp;If Philadelphia can clog the middle successfully and grab a goal, they’ll win.</li>
</ul>

Clash of Style Highlights Union-Galaxy Match

Clash of Style Highlights Union-Galaxy Match - World Soccer Talk

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Clash of Style Highlights Union-Galaxy Match