Union-Galaxy 5 Things: Bracing for the ‘Patriots of MLS'

The Union will be seeing stars this week.

In a prominent midweek matchup, the Union (4-3-1) welcome the mighty L.A. Galaxy (5-1-3) to Talen Energy Stadium on Wednesday (7 p.m./TCN, Pregame Live at 6:30).

Here are five things to know about the matchup:

1. Stars in the Galaxy
Since Wednesday's game is sandwiched between two Sunday home games for the Galaxy - and is on the other side of the country - there was reason to believe that head coach Bruce Arena would leave some of his top veterans back in California to rest.

Not so fast. 

At his weekly press conference, Jim Curtin said he's "99.99 percent sure every big name will be here."

And even though David Beckham and Landon Donovan have hung up the cleats, those names are still pretty big as the Galaxy boast Steven Gerrard, Giovani dos Santos, Robbie Keane, Mike Magee and up-and-comer Gyasi Zardes, among other prominent players. 

That's a very good thing, perhaps, for the casual Philly soccer fan looking to go to the game, but not as good for the Union's young backline.

Speaking of which ...

2. Defensive choices 
Curtin said Ken Tribbett is good to go after missing the last three games with an ankle injury. But that doesn't necessarily mean he'll reclaim his spot as a starting center back since Joshua Yaro, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's overall draft, has stepped in well in his absence.

Curtin also admitted he'll have a choice to make at left back after seasoned veteran Ray Gaddis filled in for the suspended Fabinho last week vs. San Jose and reminded everyone why he's racked up 110 MLS starts.

"We have good competition, tough choices to make for sure," Curtin said. "I thought Ray did a really good job against San Jose. We'll look at the matchups."

Curtin will also have another choice in the defensive midfield as Brian Carroll and Warren Creavalle have been battling for time there - although both figure to get starts this week as the Union have a quick turnaround at Montreal on Saturday.

3. The Patriots of MLS
While the Union have emerged as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference through the first quarter of the season, it's definitely fair to say they're not at the Galaxy's level.

The Galaxy have not only spent big money to reel in some of the world's premier players but they've also meshed well on the field, emerging as something of a dynasty over the last few years, winning three of the last five MLS Cups.

When Curtin was asked if they have a certain mystique, he likened the club to a certain NFL powerhouse. 

"L.A. and D.C. [United] are probably the two biggest clubs in terms of history in our league and lifting trophies," Curtin said. "Obviously, Beckham added a big element when he came here, the star power. At the same time, they're a team that has had the big names [and] they've won.

"They're kind of the gold standard of the league - the Patriots, if you will, of MLS. They have a way of winning."

4. Home fortress
The Union have found a lot of success at home this season, winning their first three games before last Saturday's 1-1 draw vs. the Earthquakes.

That result was a disappointing one since the Union were up a goal and a man in the second half, but the fact remains they are still unbeaten at home - a streak that will be tested in a big way Wednesday.

"We want to challenge ourselves against the best teams," Curtin said. "And right now, they're playing better than anyone in our league. ... Attacking-wise, the Galaxy is a tough matchup, so we want to see just how much we have raised the bar. I think we've raised it a lot. I think the players believe that, too. The 90 minutes is your test - that's when you get to show the strides we've made."

5. This and That
• The Galaxy have dominated the last three meetings vs. the Union, winning all three by a combined score of 13-3. That included a 5-1 romp last June at the StubHub Center - a result the Union are eager to avenge.

• While the Galaxy have the second-most points in the league (18) and are unbeaten in their last seven contests, they're less formidable away from home, where they're 1-1-2.

• The Union have never defeated the Galaxy at home, losing twice and tying once in three all-time matchups.

• Keane has scored four goals in just four games.

• Of the 19 players in MLS that have scored four or more goals this season, five of them will be featured in Wednesday's game: dos Santos, Zardes and Keane, along with the Union's Chris Pontius and C.J. Sapong.

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