The thought of writing this post after the opening day game against DC United never entered my head. That was a slightly improved version of the meltdown season of 2008 – defensive breakdowns, not much stability in the middle and an attack that put two in the back of the net, but looked frustrating doing it. In addition, DC United showcased a rookie pick-up on the left named Chris Pontius who scored a cracking goal over Josh Saunders. The Bruce Arena makeover seemed very much a work in progress.

But a funny thing happened after that opening day 2-2 tie. The Galaxy only lost one of their next 11 games. Not those weren’t trying times (or really tying times). There was an embarrassing 3-2 lose to Colorado at home with a truly ass-tastic display from all parts of the defense. And there were five ties before the first win, a 1-0 home win over a clearly self-destructing Red Bull team. It wasn’t until the 16th game of the season that the Galaxy won two games in a row (when the put together four straight). The team that hit the halfway mark at 2-3-10, then went 10-3-2 for the second half. Grabbed the number one seed in the West on tie-breakers and then dispatched Chivas and Houston in three hard-fought games. Welcome to Seattle, LA Galaxy!

I don’t think anyone predicted that this team would have made it this far at the beginning of the season. I sure didn’t. I thought that if the team could stop the bleeding in the back and develop a solid midfield they could be competitive and earn back the respectability that had been so spectacularly squandered from 2006 to 2008.

But here we are, looking to take home the third MLS Cup trophy in six tries. There is no question that this drive was built on defense. Arena’s first, second, and third priorities were to cut the number of goals surrendered from a league record of 62 to something more tolerable. Utilizing a philosophy of team defense, building a new backline that now includes two MLS Rookies of the Year (sorry Mr. Pontius), and picking up Keeper of the Year contender Donovan Ricketts, the Galaxy cut the number of goals allowed in half from the year before.

Additionally, the midfield is vastly improved, especially in the defensive and holding positions, giving David Beckham the cover to roam the middle and find the game, often slotting the killer pass home to Landon Donovan.

Finally, the partnership between the two biggest players in the league has finally blossomed, giving the Galaxy an unpredictability that keeps all opponents off balance and forces them to adjust to the Galaxy.

These factors, combined with some luck, and the kind of coaching that brings steady improvement to a team from opening day to season’s close, turned the Galaxy into a team that is now seen as the favorite over Real Salt Lake in tomorrow’s championship clash.

I’m not so sure, myself. Not that the team can’t beat RSL. But they haven’t yet this year, tying them 2-2 at home and losing 2-0 at Rio Tinto. And this team gives the Galaxy some match-up fits with its combination of tenacity and savvy in the midfield and unbridled speed up top all in front of a defense that hasn’t gotten its due all season. RSL is not to be underestimated, especially since they will use their underdog status to motivate them against the Galaxy’s star power.

Here’s a quick look at the positional match-ups.

Keepers: Donovan Ricketts vs. Nick Rimando
Nick Rimando reminded everyone why Chris Seitz was never able to take the number one spot in Sandy in last week’s game against Chicago. He stoned three penalty shots and carried RSL into MLS Cup on his back. Donovan Ricketts game up big 4 times during the Blackout in Carson, giving the Galaxy the space to eventually break the Dynamo defense down. Rimando can sometimes be caught out of position, but Ricketts can sometimes be a little cavalier in protecting the ball. I give the edge to Ricketts based on his reaction saves.

Backline: Todd Dunivant – Gregg Berhalter – Omar Gonzalez – Sean Franklin vs. Robbie Russell – Nat Borchers – Jamison Olave – Chris Wingert
I’ve been a fan of Olave since he joined the league and Nat Borchers is one of the mose underrated backs in MLS. Robbie Russell, when healthy, gives a completely different look at left back, combining strength and quickness in a position usually reserved for speedy flankers. Wingert just keeps giving one steady performance after another. They will be challenged by Donovan’s ability to roam free and find the seams in a defense that isn’t as creative as it should be.

The Galaxy line up their two rookies of the year and can add respectable offense from Franklin and Dunivant on the flanks. The Galaxy backline isn’t as quick as RSL’s but it has incomparable leadership and a season’s worth of achievement at home and away. It’s only given up more than two goals twice in 33 games. They will be challenged by the pure speed of Robbie Findley and Yura Movsissyan and the craftiness of Fabian Espindola. The respective match-up challenges facing the backlines make this one a push.

Midfield: Donovan – Dema Kovalenko – Beckham – Chris Klein/Chris Birchall vs. Andy Williams – Javier Morales – Kyle Beckerman – Will Johnson
On paper this is a no-brainer. Donovan and Beckham in the same midfield makes this one of the most dangerous units in MLS. A killer instinct in defensive midfield and a veteran presence on the right bring stability and strength. But the RSL midfield matches up just as well as the Dynamo did last week. Kyle Beckerman and Will Johnson provide tireless effort in the middle and younger legs than Kovalenko’s. Javier Morales provides the creativity that a true number 10 is expected to bring to the table. And Andy Williams bring veteran craftiness and a deft passing touch to stich together a unit that can dominate possession for long stretches.

To be successful, the Galaxy need to neutralize Morales, forcing him into bad decisions, while marginalizing Williams. That will force Beckerman to play farther forward and open space in the final third that Beckham and Donovan can exploit to open the game up. If Beckham and Donovan can’t shake the intense attention that Beckerman and Johnson will bring to bear against them, then the Galaxy attack will sputter and force the defense to win the game. If Donovan and Beckham play like they are capable of, then the Galaxy will gain the edge in possession and in the game.

Forwards: Edson Buddle – Mike Magee vs. Espindola/Movsisyan – Findley
If Buddle was having a 2008 season and if Magee had shown more consistency in his creativity, then this match up would be more even. But as it stands, both Findley and Movsisyan have been remarkably consistent over the course of the season, with Findley coming close to the Golden Boot. The RSL duo are exceptionally fast and have shown a nose for goal. They aren’t necessarily going to make something from nothing, but if you give them anything they will pounce, as seen by their fine goal against Columbus at Rio Tinto in the first game in the initial playoff series. Espindola is more creative than either and can bring a different dimension to the attack, forcing defenses to adjust to a different style of play.

Edson Buddle has been better over the last two games, finding more of the game and doing a better job distributing the ball, though he continues to try to do too much by himself when he would be better served by making the quick outlet pass. Magee has continued to have a frustrating season, providing not much most of the time, especially when deployed on the left midfield. The advantage is clearly with RSL here, but the Galaxy attack rests more upon a Beckham-Donovan connection than upon getting the ball directly to the front-runners and as such, will rely upon the superstars to create and the strikers to finish.

Real Salt Lake will win if…
Their midfield and backline can neutralize Donovan and Beckham and can find Findley and Movsisyan in places where they can use their speed to burn the slower Galaxy backline.

Los Angeles Galaxy will win if…
Landon Donovan and David Beckham can connect and create, putting RSL on their heels and opening space for the strikers. The defense will have to be dominant in the air and cover for each other in the face of the RSL speesters.

Prediction: Galaxy 2 – RSL 1

What do you all think? Who’s going to win? What are the keys to victory? What must the Galaxy do to stop RSL?

Landon Donovan’s Goal of the Year included in this compilation of the top 10 goals of 2009.

On paper this should be a tough, hard fought match between two teams that need to be peaking right now if they have hopes of going deep in the post-season. In fact, both teams are sputtering, though the Fire come in with a great road record and the Galaxy is playing at home in a season in which the Home Depot Center has felt much more like public beach than a forbidding fortress for opposing sides.

What the Galaxy need in this game is what they’ve been needing pretty much all season. Offense. That’s why there’s a picture of Edson Buddle on this posting. He needs to break free of the lockdown Columbus had him under last game and score some goals. Likewise, Landon Donovan needs to shake off the close marking he received last Saturday and make something happen. If reports from the Party Line and Nick Green are to be believed, then there’s a good chance that Landon will have some help from a healthy David Beckham. Well, Edson too for that matter.

This is important because the Fire bring in a fairly make-shift defense. Losing Bakary Soumare has had an impact and CJ Brown isn’t getting any younger. Wilman Conde certainly helps plug some gaps, but this probably isn’t the defense that Dennis Hamlett envisioned at the start of the season. And the midfield hasn’t been setting the world on fire either. Chris Rolfe has been having a subdued season, though his work rate is still high and he has learned to do a lot of dirty work. Justin Mapp is still having trouble living up to his potential and John Thorrington is injured. I love me some Logan Pause because he’s the kind of player I like to see do well in MLS. And because he went to my high school. But he’s not going to give you that offensive punch you’re looking for. And, if he plays, Cuauhtemoc Blanco won’t be at 100 percent. But you just can’t count the Fire out. They bring a solid core of players who know each other and play extremely well as a unit. And they’ve got Brian McBride back.

The Galaxy, despite a spate of injuries, is looking to field a more-or-less full strength roster on Friday. I expect to see something like this:

Ricketts
Dunivant – Berhalter – Gonzalez – Delagarza
Lewis – Birchall – Beckham – Franklin
Donovan – Buddle

I think I would prefer to see Sean Franklin at right back and Chris Klein at right mid, or even Franklin not starting at all with Klein at right mid. But I think the above is probably close to what Bruce Arena will put on the field.

I think the Donovan – Buddle combination will work pretty well, especially if Donovan is given free reign on the offense. Slashing runs in the final third will give Buddle a lot of room to operate, which he needs. And a free-range Donovan, aside from being healthier for you, will get you lots of chances.

This all depends on the Chris Birchall – David Beckham combo working well. And I think it should. Birchall has the grit to fill the middle and bust up plays and the vision to make the good pass once he has the ball. This has always been Stefani Miglioranzi’s biggest weakness, while Birchall adds some offense to the defensive midfield spot.

But, if the offense the Galaxy took to Ohio shows up at the HDC, if could be a long night.

I’m optimistic. Galaxy 2-1.

What about you all? Who do you want to see play? In what formation? Who do you think will win?

It looks like Edson is out and Gordo will be starting. Check out the video preview with thoughts from Bruce, Landon, David, and Alan Gordon.

And just in case you forgot, remember this goal from last year? Poor Hartman. I still miss that guy. (Notice all the players who are no longer with us. Wow, Bruce has accomplished quite the overhaul.)

I have a busy, busy weekend ahead so let me leave with what others are saying about the match. Don’t forget to join me here in the comments as you watch the game live.

Kansas City Star

Yahoo Sports

Galaxy MLS page

Well, on paper we were supposed to win last week. This week we are almost guaranteed a win — on paper anyway.

San Jose is having an awful season. Add to that injuries to key starting players and our chances still look great without Landon and Eddie Lewis. I learned my lesson last week though, so I’m not making any predictions.

Keys to winning the match:

* Quick passing through the midfield into the final third.
* Getting the ball wide in the attacking half.
* Defensive midfield marking, as well as smooth transitions from the d-mids to offense.
* Buddle dribbling at players.
* Ricketts having yet another stellar match in goal.

We’ll see, we’ll see.

Tune in at 1:30 Pacific on ESPN2.

“The past four meetings between Salt Lake and Los Angeles have ended in 2-2 draws,” says ESPN’s site. Methinks that won’t be the outcome this time.

So what if they have their very own branded jet, Real Salt Lake (3-6-3) can’t seem to catch a break on the pitch. RSL has been winless in the past seven games, and has yet to score a goal on the road this season. Former Galaxy guy Clint Mathis will be the one to watch in the midfield as he seems to be the creative spark for RSL.

For the Galaxy, well, we are on an upswing. Landon is in South Africa for the Confederations Cup, but that seems to be okay because Edson Buddle and *gasp* Alan Gordon have been stepping up.

We should win. We should play well and get another boost in confidence. It’s going to be a satisfying game to watch — to see our guys play their game with confidence.

Join me in the comments section if I’m awake enough to type. (remember, I’m on the east coast)

Next, head on over to ESPN or Galavision to watch the US Men’s National Team take on Honduras in Chicago at 5:00pm Pacific.

Both games are being broadcast in high-def. Ahhh, I can’t wait.

Hopefully the Galaxy will get on okay without Landon, and Buddle will be able to step up for a full 90, or at least 75.

Even more importantly, the USMNT needs to play exceedingly well and beat the crap out of Honduras after Wednesday’s mess in Costa Rica. It was bad. Like I could cry — bad. If Bradley is smart, he’ll play Torres for the full 90 — and if Torres and Donovan can connect well, they will create effective offense.

Post your match comments here in the comments section. I’ll be here for most of the Galaxy match but will be DVRing the US, Honduras, match.

Hey, good news!

Wizards starting midfielder Santiago Hirsig and forward Josh Wolff won’t be playing, having been sent off during last week’s match against Chivas USA. Even the Wizards’ own article admits the team is in trouble against L.A. They even say our record is “deceiving.” Muahahaha!

The other good news? We’ve got Landon! It is his last game before heading off for international duty. Let’s hope he goes out with a bang.

I’m hoping that Arena’s emphasis on defense first will take a bit of a backseat this time. With Omar Gonzalez and Gregg Berhalter in increasingly top form — and defending a crippled Wizards attack — perhaps Arena will stress offense for the entire 90.

We’ve been the better looking team on paper before. Hopefully the home crowd and an increasingly motivated and skilled team will propel us to victory.

My prediction? Galaxy 2, Wizards 0

Rogo’s View From The Booth

Kansas City Kansan — more shaking in their boots

ESPN’s preview

I’ve been thinking long and hard and have finally developed a new strategy for the Galaxy to win instead of tie.

Let Dallas score early.

We are so practiced and adept at scoring when down a goal . . . if Dallas scores early enough we’ll have time to score not only once, but twice!

The biggest news for tonight’s game is the injury to Sean Franklin. He has a torn hamstring and will be out for tonight’s match, if not a few more. That means Tony Sanneh at right back. I think I would rather see Chris Klein at right back again and Sanneh kept on the bench.

The match up to watch will be Kenny Cooper vs. Omar Gonzalez.

Cooper: 6′3″, 207lbs
Gonzalez: 6′5″, 210lbs

Gonzalez has arguably gotten the better of his opponents this season as he and Donovan Ricketts have solidified the back for the Galaxy. Cooper has had a lackluster season thus far.

More previews:

Mark Rogondino’s View From the Booth

ESPN’s preview

Larry Morgan’s story on Gonzalez’s homecoming

I’m beginning to think we’re snatching draws from the jaws of victory. And that was definitely true for last week’s Sounders match.

But as a lifelong L.A. Galaxy fan, only last year’s season can make this year look so good!

Last year’s MLS Champions, the Columbus Crew, have a crap record of 1-2-5 with a total of 8 points for the season. They are tied with New York for last in the Eastern Conference. But then, they’ve had a tougher schedule than ours, already having played Chivas (loss), Houston (tie), and Toronto(tie).

There are no significant Galaxy injuries to report. We can expect a healthy starting XI, with players like Buddle, Lewis, and Klein getting a rest on Wednesday’s match against Seattle (they came in as subs and didn’t play the full 90). I also expect Mike Magee to start as his game is improving exponentially each time he steps on the field.

There’s not much attention being paid to this game in the news and blogosphere. The only other link I have for a preview is this mlsnet report. As others become available I’ll post them as well.

Nathanhj Update: Jen’s point about the Columbus schedule to date is echoed over at the Covering the Crew blog. Shawn Mitchell says that,

It’s early, for sure, but the standings are starting to take on some meaning. They show that the seven teams the Crew has played are a combined 24-15-18 (.579). The seven teams it has yet to face are a combined 14-22-21 (.430). I’d say that’s a pretty good indicator that the Crew has faced some of its stiffest tests in the first eight games.

As Jen says, we can definitely win this, but the Crew is also pretty hungry for wins. Unlike the Galaxy, their lapses in concentration have led to losses not to ties and they are still the defedning MLS Cup champion. If you’ve watched Schelotto play, then you know that any team he’s on is dangerous to the very end.

On the other hand, the Galaxy can play with a game-fit Edson Buddle, a game-fit Todd Dunivant and an improving Mike Magee. Sean Franklin, who sat out last game with a slight tweak in his hamstring is expected to start again at right back. And this game is at the Home Depot Center, where the Galaxy is always better. Unlike their recent home games, I would expect them to come out strong, pressing for an early goal and trying to put an unexpected shaky Crew defense on its heels. They will be aided by Will Hesmer’s continuing injury to his back. Andy Gruenbaum will be making his fourth straight start. I’d always like to go up against a back-up keeper any day of the week, but Gruenbaum isn’t really on the level of a Josh Saunders or a Josh Wicks – he’s much stronger and the Galaxy will have to be sharp taking him on.

The defense will face one of its stiffest tests of the season in veterans Guillermo Barros Schellotto and Alejandro Moreno playing in front of one of the deeper midfields around. I don’t know if it was luck or fate for the past 8 games, but the Galaxy have yet to face a first class offense firing on all cylanders. Well, this is the test. It’s not the Crew haven’t been scoring goals, its that they’ve been giving up leads, so the G’s will need Gregg Berhalter and Omar Gonzalez to really step up on Sunday. Donovan Ricketts will need to have another one of his superior games.

On offense, Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle will need to play well off each other, while the midfielders will have to finally find another dimension to their games, especially Eddie Lewis. If Dunivant and Franklin can make dangerous runs down the flanks, then there’s a very good chance that the high-scoring offense from last year could finally be reclaimed.

Here’s one more preview, from the Associated Press, via Yahoo Canada.

What about you guys? What are you looking for? Are we finally going to take a win after so many ties? Can we take the defending champs? Who needs to step up? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Could this be part of the reason for our upswing?

This jersey was hung in the locker room before Saturday’s game. From what we’ve heard, this is a nice departure from the team mentality of last year.

UPDATE FROM NathanHJ: Just wanted to put in my own two cents on tonight’s game.

RSL has been invulnerable at home for a little while now. Moving to their new stadium in Sandy has helped their cause as well. Tonight they will be without Javier Morales and Jamison Olave due to suspension and Nick Rimando due to injury. This is a good thing for the Galaxy since it will make it easier to compete in the middle of the field and take a bit of pressure off the defense.

However, I don’t expect that this will make it _easy_ for the Galaxy. We are still pulling the team together as folks come back from injuries and all the players get to know each other. And the team core is a bunch of aging veterans who aren’t going to dazzle the opposition or burn up the turf. So I look for a repeat of what we did in Colorado: defense first, everyone gets back, hold the shape, be incredibly frustrating and look carefully for counterattacking opportunties. RSL’s absences should be helpful here.

Donovan Ricketts, Gregg Berhalter, Landon Donovan, and Edson Buddle need to show up to play. If that happens we could eke out a result. Otherwise we’ll be on the wrong end of a 1-0 or 2-0 loss.

Or am I full of crap? What do you think is a reasonable outcome for tonight’s game? Let me know in the comments below.

Previews from other sources:

Goal.com

Official LA Galaxy MLS site

Real Without Three Starters