The Galaxy You Don't Know

The front five get all the attention in Galaxy-land. They are pretty, they are fast and they score in bunches.

They also aren't the only story down in Carson at the Home Depot Center. Arena recently switched to the 4-1-3-2, and that back five has been better than solid, and they are the Galaxy you should get to know now.

Because the Sounders will need to attack that backline and defensive mid in order to end the scoreless streak (3rd longest this MLS season).

In those seven matches the five have been the same and only given up five goals. They are 5-1-1 and have helped pushed the Galaxy from tie-heavy also rans into Western Conference powers.

AJ De La Garza is a rookie (19th overall) out of Maryland. At 5'9" he may be small even for a full back but his performance is what matters.

Omar Gonzalez is another rookie (3rd) out of Maryland. He is a beast, the prototypical centerback, and quite likely won't be in this league long. Like Zakuani, he's a Generation Adidas player.

Gregg Berhalter on the other hand is in his 16th year of professional play. Sure he's lost a step or two, but like Marshall, knows his tactics and has 43 Caps with the USA.

Todd Dunivant has relaunched his MLS career after playing on the poor Toronto sides, he has solidified things with LA and shows the evidence of later peak by backline players. He'll play relatively flat.

Stefani Miglioranzi is in his 11th professional year and is the defensive midfielder for LA. He has time with Portsmouth and Swindon Town, but it was his time with Sigi winning the Double (MLS Cup and Supporters Shield) that will go down as his highlight.

This is an unbalanced and unspectacular set of five. The right side is faster, but inexperienced. The left side patient and tactically sound. The Sounders offense will be determined by Wing play and effective crosses or cuts into the area. This may be a time to start the match with Montero on the Right and Ljungberg up top. Sure it will happen with the Interchange anyway, but why not start out with the Colombian in the best spot to succeed?

The Galaxy hold their opponents to the second lowest Shots Against (9.7 per match v Sounders of 10.5), and are tied with Seattle with the second best Goals Against Average, but they are only +0 GD at home.

The Galaxy you now know will cause Sounders FC problems.