The LA Galaxy's failed bid to win one MLS trophy has amplified their desire to win the other, and they embark on a run toward what they hope will be a third MLS Cup title in four years this weekend at Real Salt Lake with tremendous confidence.
The Galaxy (17-7-10) missed their chance at an unprecedented fifth Supporters' Shield and the Western Conference regular season title with Saturday's 2-0 loss at Seattle, sending them into the postseason with a three-game winless streak -- including two losses in which captain Robbie Keane was not available -- that, they say, only enhances their incentive.
“It would mean more if we won [the Shield] rather than finish second, but it's motivation every time you lose,” defender A.J. DeLaGarza told media in Seattle. “So we're going to take it, build on it. [The playoffs bring] an away game first, so we need to go and get a result.”
Real Salt Lake (15-8-11) knocked the Galaxy out of last year's Western Conference semifinals, prevailing in extra time in the home leg after dropping the opener at StubHub Center. Will the upcoming series be a chance to avenge that?
“It would be nice,” DeLaGarza said.
Said head coach Bruce Arena: “We don't play those little games, payback and all that. We play to try to win a championship.”
LA closed the season by conceding leads in a 2-1 loss at FC Dallas and 2-2 draw at home with Seattle, then watched 80 minutes of dominance lead to Marco Pappa goals in the 85th minute and stoppage time to secure the Sounders' first MLS silverware.
In all, the Galaxy dropped 20 points this season by giving away late leads or failing to capitalize on full dominance, starting with the season opener, in which they conquered RSL everywhere but on the scoreboard in a 1-0 defeat. Had they picked up just one-fifth of those points, they'd have been parading the Shield a week ago in Carson.
“Listen, the standings don't lie,” said Landon Donovan, who played his final regular-season match Saturday. “[Seattle has] been the better team over the course of the year. They deserve that, we give them credit. [The Shield] could have been ours, but I think we gave up too many points earlier in the the year, and it came back to hurt us.
“Now everything is wiped clean, and it's a clean slate, and whoever is the best team over five games is going to be holding the trophy at the end of the postseason.”
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The Galaxy are satisfied with their standing and form heading to Utah for their playoff opener Saturday (8 pm ET, NBCSN in US, RDS2 in Canada).
“I think we know very much where we are, that's the most important,” midfielder Marcelo Sarvas said. “We are not happy because of the result [against the Sounders], but we are very happy with what we did [in the game]. We put together everyone, step on the field and play very well. For 80-something minutes were were much better than Seattle.
“That just gives us the confidence to go to playoffs now and fight for the Cup.”
