With the match into its final 25 minutes, Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser and Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena are making use of their subs in the hope of using fresh legs to turn the match in their favor. Arena made an earlier sub, bringing on Chris Birchall for Mike Magee and now he's brought on Miguel Lopez for Chad Barrett. Fraser's first sub of the game came with top striker Justin Braun surprisingly coming off for Chris Cortez.
Trailing 1-0, it's strange to see Braun come off. He is undoubtedly Chivas' best attacking threat, but he hasn't played 90 minutes too many times this season and could have been tiring. Cortez was just signed a week ago by Chivas so it is not as if Fraser is turned to an old hand.
Arena is hoping Lopez can take advantage of a tiring Chivas defense. Barrett scored the Galaxy goal, but began to tire and the energetic Lopez has come on strong in recent weeks. With the Goats pushing for an equalizer he could find space behind the back line.