The Los Angeles Galaxy are desperately looking for a win as the MLS Cup Playoffs could already slipping away barely a third of the way into the season.
A year ago, the Galaxy managed only 11 points from their first 11 games and dug a hole too deep to climb out of as they missed the postseason for the first time ever. This season Los Angeles has managed just six points from eight games and will be hoping to turn their season around Sunday when they play host to Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center.
RSL is the only winless team in MLS this season and their season has mirrored the Galaxy's to a certain extent. Both teams have been fairly solid on the defensive side of the ball, but neither team has had much luck in front of the goal. It will be a matchup between two struggling sides, which should make for a very hard-fought contest.
"We want to come out the same way we did against D.C. United (a scoreless draw two weeks ago). I think we should have won that game," said Santino Quaranta, who will be looked upon to make a significant impact on Sunday. "There's nothing we're really worried about in Salt Lake in particular. They're a team that's struggling, too, so it's going to be a war."
The first of the Galaxy's reinforcements have arrived for the weekend. Abel Xavier has joined the squad from Premiership side Middlesbrough, while the club also traded Tyrone Marshall for striker Edson Buddle. Both players are expected to start on Sunday.
"We have a big game on Sunday, and we have to get ready for it. That's not going away," said head coach Frank Yallop. "New faces sometimes lift other players. I expect there to be a big spark, especially with Xavier. Edson's going to come in and be hungry to do well for this club. I'm excited about it."
Excitement will quickly turn to anxious moments if the Galaxy can't get the ball rolling early on Sunday. Los Angeles is a club with one of the richest traditions in MLS, and fans are getting restless while waiting for results.
"We have to win Sunday. You can feel the pressure. It's even in the front office," said Quaranta. "You can feel it everywhere. Winning cures everything though. We've got our next four games at home. We win a couple games here and we're cruising, we're fine again."
The gravity of the situation isn't lost on anyone in the Los Angeles camp. While Yallop insists that there is no need for panic, or a wholesale change of philosophy, every game from here on in holds tremendous importance for the Galaxy.
"I think in every game for us right now we need three points. This game is as important as the next one and the one after," said Yallop. "It would be lovely to get a good home win so we can take a breath and look forward to the next game."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
