Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Monarcas Morelia: Deep Into the Heart of Mexico

Hear that bell? That is the sound of class in session, Mr. Robbie Keane. On Tuesday, Sept. 13 we are going on a field trip into the heart of Mexico: Morelia and the Estadio Morelia, for a CONCACAF Champions League match between Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy and Tomas Boy's Monarcas Morelia.

Robbie, on Tuesday you will learn about the caliber of play from one of the most storied teams in Mexico, as well as understand the fiery environment that teams like the U.S. Men's National Team encounter on their forays south of the border.

Urine bags. Chicken heads. The Spanish word for "Whore!" raining out during keeper Donovan Ricketts' goal kicks (although you already know the jist from our good friends from the Angel City Brigade and the L.A. Riot Squad). Those are just a sample of what you will be experiencing at Estadio Morelos.

It will be intimidating. It will be partisan. And it will be one tear-up that is not for the faint of heart.

Class dismissed.

All educating aside, the Galaxy currently sit on top of Major League Soccer with a 15-3-10 record (55 points), seven clear of second-place Seattle Sounders FC.

Two players that have brought the dirty dozen to the Galaxy are Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Donovan has 12 goals this season, while Beckham has 12 assists.

Back at goalkeeper is the Big Cat from Montego Bay, Donovan Ricketts. With the 1-0 shutout victory over the Colorado Rapids, Ricketts has a 7-1-4 record to go with a 0.49 goals against average, an 81.4 percent save percentatage and 35 saves.

This could be a possible lineup for Tuesday night's match...

1 Donovan Ricketts 
27 Bryan Jordan ---- 20 A.J. DeLaGarza ---- 4 Omar Gonzalez ---- 2 Todd Dunivant 
5 Sean Franklin ---- 23 David Beckham ---- 8 Chris Birchall ---- 10 Landon Donovan (C) 
14 Robbie Keane ---- 30 Paolo Cardozo
Cardozo had his breakout game against Colorado and may be ready for a run against Morelia. Juninho's suspension means that Birchall will be called up to take his spot in the midfield. A healthier, fitter Keane will be key to LA's success against Monarcas.

The play of Jordan is one to watch. A breath of fresh air from Frankie Hejduk, Jordan, DeLaGarza, Gonzalez and Dunivant form a reliable backline that will have to solve a resilient Morelia attack. Franklin's passing in the midfield could be an X-factor.

Last season, Monarcas Morelia finished runner-up in the 2011-12 Primera Division Clausura, losing 3-2 to Pumas UNAM on aggregate in the final. The North American SuperLiga champions, Morelia are led by Miguel Sabah and Rafael Marquez Lugo. Marquez Lugo had 15 league goals last season, while Sabah recorded 11.

Currently 16th in the 2011 edition of the Apertura, Morelia are mired in difficulty, mustering only a 2-1-3 record (seven points).

Prediction:
This will be a tough nut to crack for Los Angeles. Monarcas Morelia are always an enigma at home and will not be an easy team to defeat.

However, if the results by FC Dallas and Settle Sounders over Mexican opponents in the CONCACAF Champions League tell something, nothing is impossible.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Monarcas Morelia 1
Kickoff is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.

INS AND OUTS
G's to take on the V's

It's a match between David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane against Harry Kewell, Archie Thompson, Danny Allsopp and the Melbourne Victory on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

“We are very excited to be coming to the sports capital of Australia in Melbourne and are looking forward to playing against the Melbourne Victory in the Jeep Melbourne Challenge at the sensational Etihad Stadium,” LA Galaxy President Tom Payne told reporters on Saturday. “We would like to thank Premier Bailleau and the State of Victoria for the kind invitation and Lou Sticca and Tribal Sports Management for arranging the Galaxy’s third visit to Australia.”

The Victory, whose 2011-12 season will be chronicled in the View from the Victory on Bleacher Report and the View from Victoria Street, are no stranger to victory, having won two premierships and two championships in their seven years of existence.

Los Angeles are 2-2 against A-League opponents and have yet to defeat an A-League opponent on Australia soil.