CARSON, CALIFORNIA (BDCi) — Some players on the Los Angeles Galaxy team may feel they are treading into uncharted waters when they travel to Costa Rica to take on CS Herediano in their first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Thursday.
However not Marcelo Sarvas. He knows exactly what to expect. The Galaxy, he said can expect an aggressive opponent who will apply pressure from the start and not let up.
“I’m pretty sure they’ll press us from the first minute. They will come very aggressively”, Sarvas said. “That’s the way they make things happen in Costa Rica. You go and play hard, play tough all the time.”
Prior to joining the Galaxy, Sarvas played in Costa Rica’s Premiera Division with L.D. Alajuanense. He helped lead them to a Verano title as well as a berth in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League. A few months later, Sarvas was a champion again leading his team to the 2011-12 Invierno or first-half crown.
In the second leg against Herediano, Sarvas scored allowing the series to be decided on penalties, with Sarvas converting a spot kick to help his team win another championship. Sarvas says he still gets calls from newspapers about that game which is why he expects a less-than friendly reception on Thursday.
The Galaxy are in this round as the number four seed after winning Group five with a 3-0-1 record for 10 points. CS Herediano who lost to the Galaxy in a 2009 friendly at the Home Depot Center in the only other meeting between the clubs, won Group two, also with a 3-0-1 record and is seeded fifth.
Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena won’t be holding anyone back Thursday. The Galaxy do not have an MLS game this weekend and do not return to regular season action until Sunday, March 17th against Chivas USA, so there should be no player fatigue.
“We’re going with our best team,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenging competition.”
Source: lagalaxy.com
Photo: theamericanpitch.com