For the Los Angeles Galaxy, their reign at the top of the Western Conference standings lasted all of one week. With the Colorado Rapids heading to town this weekend, LA has a chance to climb right back on top of the table. The task at hand is a tall one, however, as Colorado has had the Galaxy's number so far this season.
In the season opener, the Rapids handed the Galaxy their worst loss of the season, a 4-0 thumping at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Then just last week, Colorado knocked the Galaxy out of the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 win at The Home Depot Center. LA will be trying to reverse their fortunes this week.
"We have to forget what's gone on in the past, even though it was just last week that they knocked us out of the cup. We have to forget that," said David Beckham, who returns to the Galaxy after missing the last two games while on international duty. "We have to our homework on the games we've played against them, but we don't look at the results now. We move on."
Colorado is the only team the Galaxy have come up against this season that has managed to keep them off of the scoreboard. Considering how potent the offense has been all year in Los Angeles, it would be easy to assume that Colorado has figured something out. Chris Klein doesn't think that's the case.
"The first game (in Colorado), that's a one-off. We didn't play well. I think any team would have given us problems that day. In the Open Cup, we had our chances," said Klein. "I don't feel there is anything specific they've done (against us). Obviously they've done something right. They're sitting in first place."
Colorado has a one-point lead ahead of Los Angeles, who is tied with two other teams, but sits in second place on goal differential. The top of the West is so tightly packed however, that a negative result could see LA drop to sixth as quickly as a win will put them on top.
"We'll be ready to go on Saturday. We know how much this game means in the points standings," said goalkeeper Steve Cronin. "It's a six-point swing."
In the back of their minds, a little bit of a revenge factor has to be creeping into the LA camp. It's a natural reaction for any competitor. But that's not likely to be the main motivation heading into Saturday.
"We want to get one up because they're ahead of us in the standings. If we win Saturday we're in first place. You talk about first to fifth being so tight, we can be in first with a victory on our home field against a team that we owe one," Cronin said. "That's motivation for us."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
