The opponent for the Los Angeles Galaxy this Saturday doesn't come any bigger in the world of soccer. Names like John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Michael Ballack are just a handful of the weapons at Jose Mourinho's disposal this weekend. Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop only needs to say one word to get his side up for their next game: Chelsea.
Los Angeles closes out the World Series of Football against the current FA Cup holders on Saturday. In their first game of the tournament on Tuesday the Galaxy came out flat and looked listless, and that was reflected in the final score, a 3-0 loss to Tigres UANL. Getting up for Saturday's game will be necessary to avoid a repeat performance and will also be a test of character for a struggling Galaxy side.
"When you lose you must react. The game we played against Tigres, it was not our day. We can play much better. We can approach the game better," said Abel Xavier, who had several run-ins with Chelsea during his time in the English Premier League. "Against Chelsea, the pressure is already there. The excitement is already there. If players aren't up to the excitement to play Chelsea then they can't play at a high level."
Cobi Jones is another player with plenty of top-level soccer experience. A veteran of three World Cups, Jones has also played in England with Coventry City. The Galaxy midfielder is well aware of the magnitude of Saturday's game.
"Number one, we have to put Tuesday night's performance behind us and know that we're playing on of the best teams in the world and we have to man up," said Jones. "I think there's enough pressure that we put on ourselves knowing the team that we're playing. Chelsea is a world-renowned team."
Even if the Galaxy play their best game they will have their hands full with an extremely talented team. The world is watching MLS now with the arrival of David Beckham, and there are few spotlights that shine brighter than the one Chelsea carries with them.
"It's going to be a tough game. But it's exciting to play great players. I know most of them," said Xavier, who then listed a handful of Portuguese players on Chelsea's squad including head coach Mourinho. "It's a very exciting moment for the Galaxy and for MLS."
It won't take a win to prove to the world that the Galaxy are a quality team and Major League Soccer is a legitimate league. There are many teams in the Premiership that are incapable of beating Chelsea. A good showing and an honest effort is all that Yallop is asking of his team.
"I want us to perform. I want us to express ourselves," said Yallop. "At the end of the game we can keep our heads held high so we can walk away from the match feeling proud about it."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
