Fire vs. LA Galaxy Preview

By Ben Schuman Stoler in Arts & Entertainment on Sep 3, 2010 3:00PM

Fire fans are thanking God their road trip is over. Going into Houston and Seattle (highlights above) is never easy, but giving up points the way they did - conceding late goals in 4-3 and 2-1 losses - is just devastating.

Since the All-Star break, the Fire have said all the right things and made all the right moves - and yet they remain outside a playoff berth. That's not to say that all is lost, but at some point the Fire are going to have to produce results and do so consistently. Wins in LA against the Galaxy and home against New England showed this team can do it, but will they? For tomorrow's game (3PM Comcast SportsNet/Telefutura) against the Galaxy, they'll have to dust themselves off, forget the poor road trip, and give the home fans what we want.

And it won't be easy. Take a look at the MLS statistics leaders. The Galaxy are represented in the top three of every single category. Edson Buddle (leading the MLS in goals) and Landon Donovon (assists) have struck up a dangerous partnership - this is without David Beckham, remember, who returns from his Achilles injury next week - and last year's rookie of the year Omar Gonzalez anchors a solid defense with goalie Donovan Ricketts leading the MLS in shutouts and wins.

But the Fire should be confident. Not only is Toyota Park inching towards becoming the fortress it ought to be, the Fire tore apart the Galaxy back at the beginning of August. They scored three goals in the first 20 minutes, and a start like that tomorrow would certainly go a long way towards erasing the bitterness from their road trip.

Other good news is that Collins John looks to have gotten out of coach Carlos de los Cobos's doghouse, Freddie Ljungberg has played like an undeniable superstar, and Nerry Castillo should finally be fit.

Also, the Fire will announce a new signing today around noon. Rumors are all a'swirlin. Who will it be?