The CONCACAF Champions League returns to the StubHub Center on Wednesday, as the LA Galaxy and Santos Laguna will kick off their quarterfinal series.

HOW THE GALAXY GOT TO THE QUARTERFINALS

The Galaxy hosts the first match of this series because they are the fifth seed of the eight clubs that advanced to the quarterfinals. The reason that happened was due to lack of depth and not having the ability to win on the road.

In their final two matches of the group stages,  they faced Trinidad and Tobago side, Central FC and Guatemalan club, Comunicaciones FC. The Galaxy only needed one victory from those matches to finish as the top three seeds and guarantee the crucial second leg home match. Instead Los Angeles drew with both of them, now they will be forced to travel to Mexico for the second leg. Knowing that puts a lot of pressure on LA to perform in their first leg.   

To put it nicely, the Galaxy struggle against Mexican clubs in the CCL. LA has competed against Liga MX sides 12 times and has only won three of those matches, all three were at home. When LA crosses the border, they have yet to taste victory on Mexican soil. Their overall record against clubs from Mexico is (W-D-L) 3-1-8 and they have a negative six goal differential.

A CHANGE IN THE GALAXY'S CCL SECOND FORTUNE 

However, this Galaxy side has a few things going for them heading into this series, but the main players that can be the difference for LA is Giovani dos Santos. Not just because of his skill set, but for the simple fact that he needs to have a great performance to get back on the Mexican National Team. What better way to do that then by defeating a Liga MX clubs?

The 26-year-old Mexican playmaker is not the only reason why LA has a good chance of defeating Santos on Wednesday. U.S. international Gyasi Zardes, Irish international Robbie Keane, former Liverpool F. captain Steven Gerrard, Dutch international Nigel De Jong, Belgium international Jelle Van Damme and goalkeeper Dan Kennedy all play a big part of why the Galaxy can defeat Santos in game one and in the series.

Gyasi Zardes (Left) and Robbie Keane (Right) will be looking to break the deadlock early against Santos Laguna on Wednesday in the quarterfinal CONCACAF Champions League clash at the StubHub Center, Photo provided by Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports.
Gyasi Zardes (Left) and Robbie Keane (Right) will want to break the deadlock early against Santos Laguna on Wednesday in the quarterfinal CONCACAF Champions League clash at the StubHub Center, Photo provided by Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports.

The upfront duo of Keane and Zardes is running full speed again. The last time that happen the two of them combined for 35 goals in Major League Soccer (MLS) during the 2014 season. With the two of them reunited and the midfielder Dos Santos, Gerrard, De Jong, Sebastian Lletget or Emmanuel Boateng supply them with passes the Galaxy will be able to dictate the tempo.

Nigel De Jong will have to be the enforcer on Wednesday against Santos Laguna at the StubHub Center in the CCL quarterfinal series. Photo provided by VI-Images
Nigel De Jong will have to be the enforcer on Wednesday against Santos Laguna at the StubHub Center in the CCL quarterfinal series. Photo provided by VI-Images

Then the defense has been boosted with veteran leadership from defensive midfielder, center back to goalkeeper. De Jong commands the center of the midfield he fight to recuperate the ball; he has made a career of doing that at high level. If Santos gains possession, he will slow down or stop their movement towards goal with his work ethic and physical style of play.

Now behind him are: Van Damme, A.J. DeLaGarza, Robbie Rogers and Ashley Cole. Van Damme is solid and strong presences that the club has never seen before. Van Damme is the new anchor for the LA defense.

However, Kennedy in goal will be a big difference in game one. He has proven many times that he can stop shots from distance, close range or one on one with the attacker. Remember if he did not get injured last year for FC Dallas, there is a good chance he still would be there number one goalie.

SANTOS IS NO WALK IN THE PARK 

Bryan Rabello will need to guide Santos Laguna midfield on Wednesday against the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center in the CCL quarterfinal match. Photo provided by EFE/Archivo
Bryan Rabello will need to guide Santos Laguna midfield on Wednesday against the LA Galaxy at the StubHub Center in the CCL quarterfinal match. Photo provided by EFE/Archivo

That being said, the Galaxy cannot afford to sleep on Santos. Their offense might not be as flashy as it once was, but they can still produce goals. In seven matches they have produced eight goals. With Chilean international attacking midfielder Bryan Rabello and Cape Verde international forward Djaniny leading the club with two goals apiece. Djaniny also led Santos in scoring during the group stages of the CCL with three goals.

Their pace and relentless work effort can cause teams headaches. In the first round of the CCL they scored 12 goals in four matches. Their biggest victory was against Costa Rican powerhouse, Deportivo Saprissa. They defeated the Central American club at home 6-1.

Djaniny pace will need to keep the LA Galaxy defense honest in the CCL quarterfinal match at the StubHub Center on Wednesday. Photo provided by Yo Deportivo.
Djaniny pace will need to keep the LA Galaxy defense honest in the CCL quarterfinal match at the StubHub Center on Wednesday. Photo provided by Yo Deportivo.

Their defense is also solid. They have conceded eight goals and have earned two shutouts thus far in their domestic campaign. During the CCL first round they only allowed three goals and kept two shutouts. However, they do struggle on the road.

In the CCL they only defeated Trinidad and Tobago side, W Connection FC  1-0 away from the cozy confides of the Estadio Corona. Their second road match in Costa Rica, they lost 2-1 to Saprissa. In Liga MX, thus far they have a record of 1-1-2 and a negative two goal differential away from home.

LA WILL HAVE THE PRESSURE OF CLOSING OUT GAME ONE WITH A "W"

Santos road troubles will follow them to the StubHub Center as they face a club that is stacked offensively. The Galaxy offense will jump out of the gate led by Dos Santos, and Santos will be force to play defense and counter. However, the Galaxy will be under pressure to score first. If LA’s does, then the formation of the backline for Santos will have to change. The longer the match stays tied the more confidence Santos has off potentially sneaking in a winning goal near the end of the game.

Prediction: LA 3, Santos Laguna 1   

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About the author
Jorge Belon
My name is Jorge Belon. I’m a writer for VAVEL USA and VAVEL UK. My focus is on soccer. Throughout the years I have created different blogs all revolving around soccer. My first was Mr. JB Soccer in 2012. Now I currently operate Belon Soccer News (BSN), where I cover soccer mostly from North America and international tournaments. I am a college at Los Angeles Valley College. I was a part of the college newspaper, The Valley Star for two years. At the Star I held the position of Sports Editor, News Editor, Managing Editor and Editor in Chief. I have been writing about soccer for the past three years. I have covered: Major League Soccer, Gold Cup, Under-20 Men’s World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Men’s World Cup and many more.