A year ago when the New England Revolution came calling on the Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center, it was in the opening game of the season, a little less than six months after the teams had met in MLS Cup 2005.
This year, the Galaxy will again play host to the Revolution very early in the season -- just the fourth league game of the year for Frank Yallop's team. But New England is playing its seventh game of the season and sits in second place in the Eastern Conference. It will be a tough task for the Galaxy.
"(New England) started their season extremely strong," said left fullback Ante Jazic. "It's going to be a tough game for us but it's a home game and we have to win it."
The Revs are averaging nearly two goals a game, thanks in large part to Taylor Twellman, who leads MLS in scoring. Twellman has proven he doesn't need too many looks at goal to find the back of the net either. In a recent game against FC Dallas, Twellman scored a gem of a goal against the run of play. That's a formula that L.A. will be trying to avoid.
"I've watched more games of every team this year than ever before, and (New England) almost lull you to sleep," said Galaxy forward Landon Donovan. "They defend well and next thing you know Twellman is on the end of something and it's 1-0."
As good as the strike pair is of Twellman and Pat Noonan, or midfielder Andy Dorman, it's difficult to get on the scoresheet without good service. New England has one of the best in the league at that job in Steve Ralston.
Ralston currently leads MLS in assists, and in last season's match at The Home Depot Center he had his way with the left side of the Galaxy defense. That was before Jazic came to town and Los Angeles knows that will be the key matchup on Saturday.
"Ante is going to have a very clear role and that's to take care of Ralston," said Donovan. "At the end of the day, you put a check by Ralston or a check by Jazic. Chances are whoever wins that is going to be the team that wins the game."
Yallop has supreme confidence in his man, however. Yallop knows both men well -- Ralston from his days as a player in the early days of MLS, and he then became familiar with Jazic's abilities when he was coach of the Canadian national team, and it's the reason he brought Jazic to L.A. to begin with.
"Ante is a very good left fullback and he knows his job really well," said Yallop. "I know Steve (Ralston) from when I played with him at Tampa. He has not lost anything from those days in Tampa. He's a great server of the ball. It's a tough game for both guys because Ante tries to get forward as well."
Jazic has been made aware of his job. He's never faced Ralston before, but he'll get his chance to go up against one of the premier right midfielders in all of MLS. Jazic knows Ralston's resume, and is looking forward to the challenge.
"(Ralston) is probably their biggest asset in the attack because everything goes through him," said Jazic. "He provides great service for their strikers. It's not going to be an easy day for myself."
When Ralston, Twellman and the rest of the Revolution come to town, they will be trying to snap the three-game winning streak the Galaxy are currently riding. The Galaxy have looked confident this week in training and with every passing day are getting closer and closer to full strength. But the real test of where they are will come Saturday.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
