The Los Angeles Galaxy are riding a three-game winning streak and four-game unbeaten run overall, an impressive run that has even the most reluctant pundit keeping them in the conversation for the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs. That run is about to hit its most challenging roadblock to date on Sunday.
Los Angeles travels to Houston to take on Dynamo at Robertson Stadium. A stop in the Bayou City has usually spelled a loss for visiting teams, as Houston has an impressive 8-2-4 record at home. The Galaxy are going to try and reverse that trend while also keeping their own run going strong.
"Anything (would be a good result). They don't come any harder than going to Houston," said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "We know what we have to try and do. We have to try and go get a win there. Anything there is a good result."
A loss would be devastating to the Galaxy's playoff chances. They don't control their own destiny and must rely on the results of other games in addition to getting maximum points going forward. Any stop in their forward momentum coupled with an unfavorable result in the other MLS games over the weekend could all but end their playoff hopes.
"A draw is better than a loss, but at this point we need all the points we can get. We don't want anything less than a win right now," said Galaxy left back Mike Randolph. "Everyone needs to come out the same way we did last week."
Last week the Galaxy did what they hadn't been able to do all season long -- win on the road, twice. They did it by playing solid defense and taking advantage of their breaks. They're going to need to get some breaks in Houston in order to pull off a win.
Working in the Galaxy's favor is the suspension of Ricardo Clark. Clark is a key member of the Dynamo midfield, and his absence should open up some room in the midfield for Los Angeles. Space in the midfield will come at a premium too as the field at Robertson Stadium is one of the smallest in the league.
"You've got to get something out of the game. That being said, we're playing well and we're confident," said Landon Donovan. "We like playing on small fields. Their field is small, but to me they're the best team in the league. If we're going to get something out of it, we're going to have to bring it again."
A draw would be a good result for the Galaxy, and wouldn't do too much damage to their playoff hopes as they would still hold a game in hand over all the teams they're chasing. But there is no expectation that Los Angeles will just sit back and defend. The Galaxy are heading to Houston in search of three points.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
