Every summer, the X-Games invade The Home Depot Center, forcing the Los Angeles Galaxy on an extended road trip. LA is currently in the middle of this year's version of the road swing, now battling a six-game winless streak, their longest of the season.
This weekend, the Galaxy travel north to play the expansion San Jose Earthquakes. The first two times these teams met ended in the same outcome, a victory for Los Angeles. However, the third time isn't always a charm, and San Jose will be fielding a much different team.
Since the last time the two sides played, a 3-0 Galaxy win on June 14 at McAfee Coliseum behind a hat trick from Edson Buddle, the Earthquakes added offensive weapons Darren Huckerby, Francisco Lima, Scott Sealy and Arturo Alvarez to their roster. Those additions that have instantly upgraded the San Jose attack.
"They're a much more dangerous team. San Jose is going to have the same kind of organization that you'd expect from a team Frank (Yallop) coaches," said Landon Donovan. "They'll be good defensively, and they've added a couple of pieces. My expectations are that they'll be a lot better."
Los Angeles can't really worry too much about what their opponent is bringing to Sunday's matchup in Oakland, however. In recent weeks the Galaxy haven't exactly lived up to their billing, and the whole team knows that while San Jose is a different team, it's much more important that they get things right in their own camp for the contest.
"Obviously, we played well the last time we were there. With them adding new players it brings a lift to any team. We're well aware of the players they've brought in," said David Beckham. "It's really about how we play. If we play to our capabilities we'll be all right. If we play like we have these last few weeks, then we won't be."
Last week the Galaxy played one of their worst games of the season, falling to FC Dallas 4-0. They came out flat and wilted under the oppressive Texas sun. Sunday's match is yet another midday game, and it's expected to be another hot day as well. Just how hot will go a long way in determining how the game unfolds.
"It will be interesting to see how they approach the game. It's a midday game; it's going to be hot there," said Donovan. "My guess is they can't go crazy trying to press us. I would imagine early on they would try to put us under pressure and sneak a goal early."
That's exactly what Dallas did last week, and the Hoops scored three times in the first half and ran away with the game. Surprisingly, despite their current streak, the Galaxy are still right in the mix of the Western Conference race. They've been kept alive by the other results around the league, but everyone knows that if things don't turn around quick, they can fall off the pace pretty quickly.
"We're not that worried yet. We know we have to turn around and change things," said Beckham. "We can't keep worrying about other people's results, and rely on other people's results to keep us in a good position. We need to start winning."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
