MLS Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy v. Chicago Fire

Los Angeles Galaxy v. Chicago FireWhen: 10:30 pm ET, Thursday, August 21, 2008Where: Home Depot Center, Carson, CaliforniaTV: ESPN2The Gist: Regardless of what happens on the field, all eyes will be on the bench, where the latest big-name in Lalaland will be manning on the bench. The club announced earlier this week the hiring of former US national team coach Bruce Arena, and he is set to begin the revolution against Chicago.And not a moment too soon. The Galaxy are mired in an 8-game winless streak, during which they have fallen from first place to 5th in the Western Conference. They still lead the league in goals scored, but also have conceded the most.Chicago have been up and down of late, having earned a dramatic comeback win over New England two weeks ago and then falling at home to D.C. last weekend. Brian McBride made his debut for the Men in Red, but he was unable to effect the outcome. The Fire are now four points off the pace in the East.What To Watch For: The Galaxy will be without several stars. David Beckham is with England, for whom he started in Wednesday’s 2-2 friendly with the Czech Republic. Landon Donovan went 90 minutes for the United States in their 1-0 draw away to Guatemala. Carlos Ruiz -- who is technically still a Galaxy player, until his transfer to Toronto is made official -- also went 90 minutes, but on the opposite side from Donovan.So the Galaxy attack will be a makeshift one. Edson Buddle, with 12 goals on the year, will surely start up top, most likely paired with Alan Gordon, who scored the heroic equalizer against Chivas USA last week. Beyond that, there is very little firepower in Arena’s arsenal.In the midfield, too, things looks bleak. Peter Vagenas and Alvaro Pires lined up in the middle last week, but they were largely ineffectual and it remains to be seen how Arena will shake things up. He will have to do something to deal with Chicago’s talented midfielders, who love to stream forward into the attack.When the Fire do get forward, the Galaxy defense will again look to rookie Sean Franklin to save the day. A question mark is Argentine Eduardo Dominguez, who was brought in July, but has made only one appearance. Will Arena through the 29-year-old in the middle?The Fire also have doubts in the lineup. Their talisman Cuauhtemoc Blanco played 20 minutes or so for Mexico on Wednesday night, so he could be ready to go on Thursday, if he arrives in time. His presence makes Chicago a totally different proposition. With four goals and six assists, he is the cyclotron in the center of the Fire’s attack.Brian McBride will make his starting debut up top, and with a week of rest and acclimation to his new teammates, he should be much better than he was last week, when he came on in a substitute’s role just two days after returning from China. With Andy Herron, Patrick Nyarko, and Chris Rolfe also in form, the Chicago attack is dangerous as ever. However, in back, they have looked suspect. Big, strong Bakary Soumare seems to have hit a wall and Jon Busch is not making the game-saving stops he did at the beginning of the season. But Wilman Conde, the Colombian centerback, is the key man. He scored his first MLS goal in the win over New England, but it is his defense that he team needs right now. He’s So Hot Right Now: Patrick Nyarko. The Fire’s Ghanaian striker causes all kinds of problems for defenses with his speed. He was a first round pick in this year’s draft, and after arriving late because of school commitments, the former college leading scorer appears to be finding his groove.Prediction: Los Angeles 1 - 1 Chicago