The Los Angeles Galaxy are riding high on the strength of a four-game winning streak that has them very much in the playoff picture. The streak includes three consecutive road wins, including a huge win last Sunday in Houston against Dynamo.
Games don't come any more intense than that, so now that the Galaxy have gotten over the hump so to speak, they will be trying to avoid to a dreaded letdown when Toronto FC comes to The Home Depot Center on Saturday evening.
The Reds bring with them the league's worst offense, the league's second-worst record and a depleted lineup. Already missing several players to injury, Toronto will be without starters Maurice Edu (USA), Andrew Boyens (New Zealand) and Carl Robinson (Wales) to international duty. It would be easy for a team as confident as the Galaxy is right now to look past Toronto, but that would be a mistake.
"They're a team that's dangerous. I've seen a lot of their games and they've not played badly," said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "They've struggled maybe in front of goal, but they've battled in every game. Every game in this league, week in and week out, is tough."
Yallop has done a good job of keeping his players focused on their next opponents and not eyeing their upcoming schedule, which includes a game against Chicago in the season finale that could ultimately decide the final playoff spot.
Considering where the Galaxy were a few weeks ago compared to now, there isn't another team in the league that understands that records don't necessarily mean that much when the whistle blows.
"I don't even look at the opposition. We talk about the strengths and weaknesses of the players. We don't look at what they've been doing because it's irrelevant. We've got to win that game over the 90 minutes," said Yallop. "It's still a game of 90 minutes and (Toronto's) a team that wants to win a game against us. They've got nothing to lose. We're desperate to do well but what we don't want to do is come out flat and nervous."
The Galaxy have managed to get on their current winning streak by pressuring the opposition attack, staying organized at the back and taking advantage of their opportunities when they go forward. Coming back home, there will be more pressure for the Galaxy to push the issue against Toronto, but Los Angeles is determined to stick with the formula that's gotten them to this point.
"Winning is contagious. We need to get out on that field and put Toronto under pressure," said goalkeeper Joe Cannon. "We need to just keep trying to do the things to create opportunities for ourselves. You can't force the issue and be a team that we're not."
With three games remaining in the season, the Galaxy control their playoff fate. Win out, and their season is extended. However, a letdown against Toronto coupled with a Chicago win against D.C. United earlier Saturday will eliminate the Galaxy from playoff contention. It's a razor's edge that should provide more than enough intensity for Los Angeles to avoid looking past Toronto.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
