The Los Angeles Galaxy are in a precarious position. A loss on Saturday to the Colorado Rapids at The Home Depot Center and they can all but make postseason plans -- and they won't involve playing in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Colorado heads into Carson tied for third place in the Western Conference, six points ahead of the Galaxy in last place. A loss on Saturday -- and a Chivas USA win in Houston -- and the Galaxy would be nine points out of the playoffs with four games to go. That wouldn't mathematically eliminate the Green-and-Gold, but it would put their season on life support.
The Galaxy aren't intimidated by the odds at all, though. A win brings them right back into the thick of the battle for the postseason.
"I think (Saturday) is going to be another fight," said Santino Quaranta. "It is at the end of the season and everybody on every team knows that it is win or nothing now. It's fun; it's a great time of year because everybody is battling. It's a great way to end the season."
The Galaxy do have the benefit of a favorable schedule. Three of their final five games are at home, including Saturday's game. Couple that with Colorado's woeful road record this season, and the Galaxy are confident they can pull closer on Saturday.
"I have looked at the other schedules. You look at schedules and all of that stuff," said head coach Frank Yallop. "But, you look at us playing at home and we should win at home. Any team is beatable at home or away. We are no different, but I'd like to think we got that one out of our system (a 2-1 loss to Houston on Sept. 10)."
In addition to having the benefit of playing at home, the Galaxy are finally getting a break from the two games a week schedule that had been dogging them the last several weeks. Conversely, Colorado is coming off of a midweek game, a 1-0 win against Chicago on Wednesday night. Rest has been a welcome commodity this week in the Southland.
"It's nice to get your legs back. In the last game I kind of lost my legs a little bit in the second half against Houston," said Quaranta. "To get five or six days to recover is crucial at this stage of the season. I know everyone is looking forward to this game."
The last time the two teams played one another was in the U.S. Open Cup. It took 120 minutes, but the Galaxy eventually prevailed -- their only win against the Rapids in four meetings this season. Los Angeles is expecting another dogfight on Saturday.
"We beat them 3-1 in the Open Cup, but that is irrelevant. They are going to come out and try to get a result, and we have to make sure that we are doing the right things in the game to win," said Yallop. "This is the first full week of practice we have had in a while, which is great, and the guys are responding."
The Galaxy are prepared to respond to pressure too. Quaranta is a new face in the Galaxy starting 11, but has noticed a strong quality in his new teammates.
"I think with this group we have here, and with Frank, we don't seem to be flustered too much," said Quaranta. "I think when we know we have to win; I think this team does that. This weekend will be a battle. It's a very big game, probably the biggest of the year so far."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
