The term "must-win" is thrown out a lot in sports. But for the Los Angeles Galaxy, that phrase already has real meaning -- even with the start of the MLS Cup Playoffs still nearly two months away.
With more than two thirds of the season gone, the Galaxy are sitting in last place in the Western Conference, seven points out of the final playoff spot.
The countdown of the final 10 games in the 2006 regular season begins Sunday when West leader FC Dallas comes to The Home Depot Center.
"Every game from now on until the end of the season is a must-win," said Galaxy forward Herculez Gomez. "This is how we are going to accomplish (making the playoffs). We are looking at it that way."
Sunday's game is the first of three games against FC Dallas for the Galaxy before the end of the regular season. Throw in a game at D.C. United and home games against Chivas USA, Colorado and Houston -- who round out the four playoff positions in the West -- and the brutal nature of the task ahead becomes clearer.
"I think that if you look at the table, it does look like we need to win every game," said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop. "We are not going to win every game, but I think we need to win at least five or six of them to have a chance."
In order to avoid being overwhelmed, the Galaxy aren't looking past any game on their schedule, starting with Dallas on Sunday evening. They want to make it perfectly clear that despite their current position in the standings, they aren't ready to lie down and give up.
"(FC Dallas) are obviously a good team, but I don't think they are taking us lightly," said Gomez. "It's going to be a dogfight. We are playing at home and we have come off a good run, so I look for us to build another run."
Playing the top team in the West is a tough way to try and start a winning streak. However, just less than three weeks ago, Real Salt Lake defeated league-best D.C. United and has gone on a three-game winning streak since entering this weekend's play. If the Galaxy can manage a result against Dallas, it might spark a similar run, and turn the playoff race into an all-out sprint to the finish.
"We have come from rock bottom to try and get back in the picture. We are back in it, but we are still far behind," said Yallop. "It is frustrating, but our guys are going to keep going until the end and we are going to fight hard to make (the playoffs)."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
