The Los Angeles Galaxy will take on Mexican Primera Division side CD Necaxa on Wednesday night in an international friendly at The Home Depot Center. The two clubs have a certain degree of familiarity, having played each other six times before heading into the midweek clash.
Overall, the Galaxy have been less than impressive against their guests from the south, holding a 1-3-2 record against Necaxa. However, the last game between the two clubs, held in December 2004, the Galaxy posted their first ever win against the Aguascalientes-based club and will be looking to do the same on Wednesday.
The lineups on both sides are expected to be a bit different than the ones that fans are used to. Necaxa has revamped its squad heading into the Apertura, and fans will have a chance to get a look at Brazilian goal-scorer Kleber Boas in their club colors for the first time.
In Los Angeles, several young players are expected to get significant minutes in the game. The Galaxy played three games in eight days, and as such head coach Frank Yallop will use a lineup consisted mainly of reserve players.
"We have these games, which are good for the fans and the squad of players," said Yallop, "but not always for the starters who have played a lot of minutes over the last week."
One regular starter who might see several minutes against Necaxa is Ugo Ihemelu. The second-year defender will miss the next regular season match for the Galaxy due to yellow card accumulation, so Yallop could use the friendly to keep his starting center back sharp.
It's not bad news for the Galaxy to put a team mainly made up of reserves out on the field though. Under Yallop, several players not previously used this season have seen an upturn in minutes, and another hidden gem might just emerge on Wednesday.
"It's another game for our players who maybe don't play as much to get minutes and show me what they can do," said Yallop. "You can't always try guys out in MLS games."
Players like Quavas Kirk, Josh Gardner, and Nathan Sturgis have all emerged under Yallop. Wednesday night will give several other players a chance to prove that they can contribute when called upon. To prove that against a team that is retooling their lineup in search of a Mexican league title is a fantastic opportunity for some of the younger guys on the Galaxy squad, and Yallop is anxious to see who will step up for the Green-and-Gold.
"It's a chance for other players to impress me," said Yallop. "I'm looking forward to the game."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
