After Wednesday night's 1-0 loss at Real Salt Lake, the Los Angeles Galaxy might just have seen their playoff hopes slip through their fingers -- literally. Kevin Hartman's uncharacteristic mistake in the 60th minute was the deciding factor in the game, but was hardly the determining statistic that led to only the fourth loss for Los Angeles under head coach Frank Yallop.
Wednesday night's game looked more like the Galaxy of the first third of the season, where one mistake led to the demise of the team on the night. One mistake overshadowed the fact that the offense rarely looked threatening.
It was an uncharacteristic performance for the Galaxy in general, who have been one of the better teams over the middle third of the season. It's the hole they dug themselves over the opening three months of the season that has them in the position they are in.
"The players have responded really well. We go into every game now going right after the team we're playing. We want to win," said Yallop. "Yeah, I wish we had a few more games before to gather those points to maybe be closer in the playoffs. But we still have a bit of the season left. We can't hit a wall now and undo what we have."
Since Yallop's arrival, the Galaxy actually have one of the best records in the Western Conference and are hoping to get back onto that track on Saturday night when they welcome Kansas City to The Home Depot Center in what will be a crucial game for both sides. Los Angeles is within three points of a playoff position, while the Wizards are clinging to the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite their position on the outside of the playoffs, Los Angeles isn't expecting anyone to take them lightly the rest of the way.
"It's a huge game. We know what it is. They know what it is," said Alan Gordon, who is expected to start his fourth game in a row for the Galaxy on Saturday. "It's seems like everybody puts forth their best effort against the Galaxy."
One thing that has hurt the Galaxy in terms of getting back on the right foot has been games missed by key players either through injury or suspension. Ugo Ihemelu will serve the second of a two-game suspension Saturday. Pete Vagenas is trying to return from an injury that kept him out of Wednesday's game. Paulo Nagamura and Tyrone Marshall are just now returning to the lineup after extended time on the injured list.
"We do have a lot of injuries. We joke around with Frank and (assistant coach) Paul (Bravo) all the time telling them they might have to suit up," said Vagenas. "At the same time, whoever has gone down, someone else has stepped up and done an admirable job."
The Galaxy will need solid performances out of both their starters and those "filling in" if they are to continue their push towards the playoffs. In a weekend where it seems as though every game has playoff implications, none seem to outweigh the contest in Carson on Saturday.
With a win on Saturday the Galaxy can climb out of the Western Conference cellar just as quickly as they fell into it. Kansas City on the other hand is looking to stave off New York, which can leapfrog into playoff position with the right results.
Last year, the Galaxy proved last year that getting into the playoffs was the most important thing. This season, the race for the four playoff positions in either conference has been as tight as any. The intensity level heading into Saturday's game at the Home Depot Center suggests that the playoffs have already started.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
