The Los Angeles Galaxy travel to Columbus this weekend to take on the Crew at Crew Stadium. Earlier this season Columbus stole a late win away from the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center, and Los Angeles will be trying to exact some revenge.
The Green-and-Gold is currently riding a five-game unbeaten streak and looking to extend that run. The Galaxy haven't given up a goal in those five games, and another clean sheet puts Los Angeles within striking distance of the all-time MLS record for consecutive shutout minutes.
If they are successful in doing so, it will just pile more misery on a Columbus side that is currently struggling. The Crew are mired in a nine-game winless streak and fell into last place in the Eastern Conference standings after a loss to New York on Wednesday.
It wasn't too long ago that the Galaxy were in the middle of an extended winless streak of their own, which is why they aren't heading into Saturday's game overconfident.
"We were in a situation five or six games ago when we were in those 10 (winless) games," said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "But then, we came out in Kansas City and got that win. We know that every game is tough in this league, and that is how we have to approach it."
Since Yallop's arrival the Galaxy have been steadily climbing the Western Conference standings. The current unbeaten streak has the Galaxy sitting just five points shy of Chivas USA and the Colorado Rapids. The two teams directly in front of the Galaxy drew with each other on Thursday night, giving L.A. a golden opportunity to gain some ground before the All-Star break with a win.
"It is always important to get three points, and more important to go into a game expecting to get three points," said Yallop. "This game is important to continue our recent good results."
The Galaxy will have to earn a result without their two most veteran defenders. Chris Albright and Tyrone Marshall will both miss the game due to yellow-card accumulation. Albright and Marshall have seven and eight years of MLS experience respectively. The expected starting back four in Saturday's game for the Galaxy is likely to have fewer than six total years of MLS experience combined.
Columbus might be able to exploit the makeshift back line thanks in large part to the familiarity several players have with the Galaxy. Forwards Joseph Ngwenya and Marc Burch and midfielder Ned Grabavoy all began the season in Los Angeles. The trio has three goals and an assist between them since changing clubs, although Grabavoy will miss the match through injury and Ngwenya is considered doubtful.
Columbus head coach Sigi Schmid's last job was at the helm in Los Angeles, adding yet another dynamic to the game. Like is becoming the case with just about every matchup in MLS these days, there will be a lot of familiarity in all parts of the field on Saturday.
"There are a lot of familiar faces, and a lot of these guys go way back with Sigi (Schmid), all the way back to college for some of them," Yallop said. "A lot of these guys here were very successful with him, so that always adds a little spice to the game."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
