Previewing Houston Dynamo vs LA Galaxy with Corner of the Galaxy
(image via LA Galaxy/Twitter)
The Houston Dynamo return home this weekend to take on the LA Galaxy and will look to stay unbeaten at Shell Energy Stadium in 2023. We talked to our friend Josh Guesman from Corner of the Galaxy to get some insight on LA ahead of Saturday night’s match.
Former Dynamo homegrown Memo Rodriguez is now with the Galaxy. How has Memo been doing this season?
He’s been a mixed bag. He’s being asked to play multiple positions in the midfield and most of those are winger positions. Greg Vanney loves inverted wingers, but Memo like the middle more than anything. Probably unlucky to not have scored so far, but he’s a good worker and seems to have good chemistry with the rest of the squad. He’s also a joy to talk to.
Riqui Puig and Gaston Brugman seem to be the focal point of the Galaxy team. How have these two players been this season and what has led the Galaxy to center their tactics around them?
They are two of the more talented midfielders in the league. They both love possession and both have the ability to find the line breaking pass as well as score themselves. Together they orbit around each other. They frustrate opposing midfielders and generally don’t give up the ball. This season they’ve been slowly getting things together. But both should have seen more success. The offense starts with these two, but the finishing from the strikers has left them without any shining moments.
Chicharito has been out injured. Could we see him back this weekend and if not, who will fill the void in the Galaxy attack?
Chicharito will travel to Houston after recovering from a hamstring injury. He is expected to play, but won’t be a starter. Dejan Joveljic will most likely start in his place. Though Joveljic has struggled to find any real success this season. Preston Judd is another name that could make the game sheet when all is said and done. He’s impressed in limited minutes, but would probably be used as a sub.
Calegari and Tyler Boyd are two new signings that seem to have gone straight into the starting lineup. What are the expectations for these two players?
Calegari is a soccer player. He looks the part and has played the part in his first two game. Strong on defense, but loves to get into the attack. He’s expected to fill the shoes of Julian Araujo who left for Barcelona. He is prone to some over aggressive movements. But in just 180 minutes I’m not going to label him an issue. Tyler Boyd is another strong player who has probably been about 2 games from really breaking out for the past 4 games. An inverted winger, Boyd is capable of skating behind defenses and causing trouble running the line or by cutting inside. He’s ready for a good game.
How is the health of the roster and do you expect anyone to be unavailable Saturday?
Injuries to Jonathan Bond and Sega Coulibaly will keep them out. Chase Gasper might also be working through something. Not expected to play.
Predicted lineup and prediction for the match?
I have the Galaxy getting their first win of the season. They’ve been playing too good to not have 3 points by now. 3-1 is the score. Because why not?
(Left to right, back to front) Klinsmann, Edwards, Neal, Caceres, Calegari, Boyd, Puig, Bregman, Delgado, Rodriguez, Joveljic
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We want to thank Josh from Corner of the Galaxy for his time and wish our friends in LA the best of luck tomorrow.
