The Los Angeles Galaxy are looking for their second win of the season this weekend when Toronto FC comes to The Home Depot Center.
While it's still extremely early in the season, L.A. is in a place in the standings where they haven't been in nearly two years -- a playoff position. It might still be the first month of the season, but getting off to a fast start has been a point of emphasis in Los Angeles this season.
The last two years, the Galaxy have stumbled out of the gate, forcing them to make late-season charges that left them just short of the playoffs. Last year, the Galaxy didn't pick up their second league win until June. This season, there are enough new faces in Los Angeles to start fresh and forget the past.
"We talk about coming together as a team and going out every game and playing 100 percent," said rookie Sean Franklin. "Obviously we need to do better than the last two years."
The 2008 season got off to a nightmarish start in Colorado. The Galaxy lost 4-0 to the Rapids, but they bounced back in their home opener against San Jose and are looking to build upon that win.
"It's always good to get off to a good start and to get confidence, especially when you've got a lot of young players and player that have just come into the team or into the league for the first season," said David Beckham. "We didn't in the first game, but the game at home there was a lot of promise in a lot of the play."
Scheduling will also play a role in the Galaxy's chances to get out of the gate this year. Last season, the schedule was backloaded with road games, leaving the Galaxy with fewer opportunities to pick up points in the early going, or establish any kind of rhythm. This year, the Galaxy's schedule is much more balanced, which should help.
"It's just nice to get back to normality. I was used to playing (multiple games) in a week, but what I wasn't used to was the five hours where we were traveling. That was tough last season," said Beckham. "We're back to normality this season, with one game a week. It's helping. Being at home for this month as well is good. We're enjoying that."
It's certainly too early to say things have turned around, but the pieces are in place for the Galaxy to reverse a trend of slow starts that has kept them out of the playoffs the past two seasons. Still, for that to continue, they will consider a win against Toronto in the second of a four-game homestand vital toward erasing the disappointment of the past.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
