Los Angeles Galaxy players insist they have learned their lesson as they prepare to play Toronto FC on Saturday at BMO Field and try to extend their nine-game unbeaten streak.
It was a year ago that Los Angeles ventured into Toronto complaining of the artificial surface and left 2-0 losers. Galaxy defender Todd Dunivant, a member of Toronto at the time, said the Galaxy had no chance, and it was their own fault.
"They lost before they even came," said Dunivant, who was acquired from Toronto for allocation money in February. "Everything we heard in the press was how they were saying the field was bad and the conditions were bad. You're not going to be hearing that from us. We're not going to go in there with any excuses and be beaten before the game's even started.
"I've been telling the guys all week it's tough for both teams. It's a surface (Toronto) players dislike more than anyone. But it's the same for both teams."
Edson Buddle, who scored his first goal of the season in last Saturday's 1-1 tie with Kansas City and is expected to shoulder most of the offensive load with Landon Donovan away with the U.S. national team, was in Toronto for a short time in 2007. He said he liked everything about the city and the team except for the field. The game atmosphere, he said, was second to none, but the playing surface did not exactly rank high on his list of favorites.
Galaxy forward Alan Gordon went so far as to say the venue would be the best in MLS if it had natural grass. Galaxy midfielder Dema Kovalenko, however, said it doesn't matter what the playing field is.
"Listen," he said. "It all comes down to who wants it bad enough."
The Galaxy (1-1-9, 12 points) are on an unbeaten streak that includes five consecutive ties and is one draw short of the club single-season record set in 2004. The league mark is 13, last set by Houston and Chivas USA in 2006. Toronto FC (4-4-4, 16 points) is in a three-way for second in the Eastern Conference with Kansas City and D.C. United, five points behind the Chicago Fire.
Toronto has allowed nine goals in its last five games, including a 3-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo last Saturday, and is 3-2-2 at home this season. The Galaxy haven't won on the road this year but haven't lost, either, in five matches.
Both teams are missing key performers. Toronto playmaker Amado Guevara is with the Honduran national team for today's World Cup qualifier in Chicago against the United States, where he will meet up with Donovan.
Dunivant said the key for the Galaxy on Saturday is adaptability.
"Every stadium we go to is a new challenge," he said. "In Colorado it's altitude. In Seattle it's the fans. In Houston it's the heat. Every place you go has something you're going to have to overcome, and Toronto is no different.
"I don't look at this as any more difficult than any other road game. We've done well on the road so far and have a good road mentality."
Larry Morgan is a contributor to MLSnet.com
