With 45 minutes gone in Kansas City, both Bruce Arena and Peter Vermes have plenty of positives and negatives to think about in the locker room. The Los Angeles Galaxy are ahead 1-0 and will be the happier of the two teams, but Sporting Kansas City have passed and possessed the ball better thus far. Both teams have some firepower on the bench and plenty of room for improvement, so it wouldn't be surprising to see some second half changes.
Sporting Kansas City Vs. LA Galaxy: Halftime, Sean Franklin Goal Has Galaxy Ahead
Sean Franklin was the man who scored the goal, assisted by Omar Gonzalez in the 25th minute. In real time and at full speed, Franklin appeared to be offside when he controlled the ball and poked it into the back of the net, past Jimmy Neilson. However, a replay revealed that Aurlien Collin, playing out of position at right back, failed to step up with the rest of his back line and kept Franklin onside.
Collin has been shaky all half long, which is almost certainly due to him playing out of position. He's been good all year as a central defender, but he looks completely out of his element at the moment. Additionally, Roger Espinoza is a walking red card and Ricardo Salazar will probably find an excuse to show him one if he remains on the pitch much longer.
For LA, they could use a change up top. The FOX Soccer broadcast of the game said that Bruce Arena was telling his team to keep the ball on the ground and keep possession, but a 4-4-2 formation with Chad Barrett and Adam Cristman up top is hardly conducive to this style of play. Landon Donovan is available on the bench, and would probably be a good introduction as an attacking midfielder/second striker.
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