Galaxy takes on Chivas in Leagues Cup group play finale
It took one win Wednesday for the Galaxy to qualify for the knockout round in the Leagues Cup tournament.
On Sunday, the Galaxy will look to finish on top of the group as famed Mexican club Chivas visits Dignity Health Sports Park.
Despite being at home, the Galaxy will be considered the visiting team.
“At the end of the day, this is our home field, we need to perform the way we’ve been doing, especially at home,” Galaxy midfielder Diego Fagundez said. “We know what kind of team we want to be and if do what we’ve been doing at home, we can win this game.”
Chivas has one point in Group B, a 1-1 draw against San Jose. The Quakes have two points, earning an additional point by defeating Chivas in the penalty kick shootout.
A win or draw for the Galaxy on Sunday wraps up first place.
“I played against Chivas when I was with the Galaxy many, many, many years, played against them in the (CONCACAF Champions League) final in Toronto, played against them at SoFi (Aug. 3, 2022), they’re a big club, one of the biggest clubs in Mexico,” Vanney said. “Huge following, huge travelling and or local support for the Chivas brand.
“We know one of the great things about it (the game), and I say this often through the course of an MLS season, there’s only so many days and so many games that you’re going to pack a stadium and it’s going to feel like a really energetic environment. There might be more Chivas fans than for us, but I don’t think that matters. What matters is that there’s energy and the game feels like it’s important and that the group responds to the energy in the stadium.”
The night will also be a reunion of sorts with Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Daniel Aguirre, both with Chivas. Hernandez signed last season after four years with the Galaxy. Aguirre departed earlier this season.
“He’s a competitor,” Vanney said of Hernandez. “That’s one thing with ‘Chich’ that you get always is that he’s a super competitive guy. He understands the game within the game and I’m sure he’s going to be super motivated to come here and perform well and score goals against us. It’s our job to try to prevent that from happening.
“You saw when the team was functioning well and he was in good health, he was a goal scorer, he was an assassin as he’s always been everywhere in his career. He had unfortunate stretches where he wasn’t healthy and in his final year (with the Galaxy) he had a devastating injury that closed it (his Galaxy career) out. When the team was functioning and we were playing at speed and we were doing the things we like to do on our best days, he was a guy putting the ball in the back of the net. He had two very strong years and those are things that people should and will remember of his time here.”
Galaxy injury updates
Dejan Joveljic (knee) and Julian Aude (groin) are still a couple of weeks away from starting their return-to-play process. Vanney said Aude recently underwent hernia surgery. Martin Caceres will be available after missing Wednesday’s game against San Jose.
CHIVAS vs. GALAXY
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)