As we enter the first week of September, what we do know is that we don't know who will be in the playoffs.
As of today the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake are tied in 5th place in the Western Conference. Each club has 32 points which would put them in second place in the East, but that is not where they play. Still, both clubs are just two points out of the postseason and just four points out of second place. That would mean home-field advantage for at least the Western Conference Semifinal Series. The race for the postseason is going to be frantic. There is no other way to look at it.
On Saturday at The Home Depot Center, a tired Galaxy had to reach back and withdraw some intestinal fortitude and fight their way to a much needed three-point result against Kansas City.
After a scoreless first half, the Galaxy quickly responded in the second half. Two minutes in, Cobi Jones found Alan Gordon and Flash sent it home. 1-0, Los Angeles.
For Gordon, he was in the right place at the right time.
"Cobi put the ball right in there and I was fortunate enough to get it," Gordon said. "Words can't describe the feeling [of scoring]. It is as satisfying as can be. It doesn't really matter who scores, as long as we get the win."
The pass was intended for Chris Albright, who made a great run, knifing through the Kansas City defense as Landon Donovan sent a pass wide to Jones. Albright's run pulled the Wizards' defenders his way. The cross from Cobi nearly found the outstretched Albright, but in the end Gordon was in better position and Wizards goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi could only watch with his feet planted on his goal line as the Gordon shot stretched the netting.
After Kansas City tied things up on a corner kick just five minutes later on a Shavar Thomas header that glanced off the bottom of the crossbar and past Kevin Hartman, the Galaxy responded on a set play of their own. Donovan lined up a free kick from 40 yards and bent a ball to Gordon who headed it home and the Galaxy were ahead for good.
No, it wasn't a pretty win, but we are not necessarily in the regular season anymore. Teams are fighting for their playoff lives. The only things that are pretty the rest of the way are wins.
"I guess it wasn't the best game for us entertainment-wise," said Galaxy coach Frank Yallop. "But obviously it was very important to get three points at this stage in the season.
"If you look at the way the team played, they look very fatigued. A lot has to do with mental fatigue because of the tough schedule. For our guys to dig in and win the game was fantastic and they are happy."
And maybe a bit relieved and a chance to get a good night's sleep in their own homes knowing they still control their own destiny and advancing to the postseason is not unrealistic.
The Galaxy know what they have to deal with.
"We need the bounces to go our way and they did (Saturday)," said defender Tyrone Marshall. "We got the bounces and the win that we needed. We know the rest of the way is going to be tough. Every year we try to get into the finals. We are going to try to go out there and give our best effort, so next week is going to be a big week for us, but we just need to make sure that we come prepared and rest our bodies well."
It's only going to get more difficult because now it's not just the Galaxy fighting for the playoffs. Everybody wants to make sure they are in.
First off will be a pair of matches with Houston Dynamo. They'll meet their Western Conference rivals in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night and then turn their attention to league play and face the Dynamo again Sunday. Both games are at The Home Depot Center. It doesn't matter whether they call Houston their home or San Jose, these matches are going to be dogfights.
MAN OF THE MATCH
You have to give it to the kid. Alan Gordon notched his first career double. Say what you want. There is no arguing that result. Flash gets my vote.
NUMBER 8 WAS BIG
Pete Vagenas had a very nice match in my view. He played well in all three parts of the field. He defended well, passed well and kept the Galaxy connected through the middle of the park.
WHERE WERE YOU?
It's great for the league that we are seeing what looks to be the most exciting run for the post season in MLS history, but it's only great if someone notices. Galaxy fans I'm talking to you. Here we are, in September already. One more month and change remaining in the regular season. Your team has clawed its way back in to the playoff picture. They are in the semifinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Has it been pretty? No. Have they fought valiantly to get back to this position? Absolutely. That has to be rewarded.
Look, I'm the first one to say if you buy a ticket you have every right to boo the team of your choice if they are not living up to expectations. It's part of being a fan. Players are not particularly enamored with the idea and it's understandable too, but if you buy the ticket, cheer them, boo them. Just get to the park because we can't hear you if you're sitting in front of a TV.
Saturday night a nice crowd of 18,763 were on hand at the Home Depot Center for a very important match between your defending champions and the Kansas City Wizards. The Galaxy had just returned home after spending most of the month of August on the road and 18 thousand of the green and gold faithful came to support this club. It was a nice crowd. It was an energetic crowd.
Where were you? You missed out.
To the other nine thousand or so fans that could have been at the HDC for this match, where were you? How do you miss this match? It was a great match where two teams left everything they had on the field. There were tense moments. There was a first for Alan Gordon who hit on his first career two goal performance. There was a lot of good going on and you missed it.
Some of you might expect the Galaxy to have their way with the league, but you also need to consider the bullseye is on their chest every time the Galaxy takes the field. First off they are a club from L.A. Everyone has the silly "Beat LA" signs up and chants. Every team measures themselves against Hollywood. Then they are also the defending champions of the league as well as the other important tournament during the soccer calendar year. Do you really believe it is going to be a walk in the park? It's that much harder.
The reason the Galaxy have a tremendous home field advantage is not because they have a great stadium to call home, it's because that great facility is packed with the best fans in the league. You are their advantage.
Show up. Enjoy what is going to be a remarkable run. Be part of it. It's a special time. The playoffs are just around the corner. It's time to rock the house.
Joe Tutino is in his eighth season as the English radio voice of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He can be reached at jtutino@aol.com. The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of the Los Angeles Galaxy or Major League Soccer.
