CARSON, Calif. -- The LA Galaxy know from experience what it takes to win MLS Cup titles, and there's a sense, at least in hindsight, that they might not have had what was required a year ago.
This year, they're certain they do.
The Galaxy (17-7-10) take aim at their third championship in four years starting Saturday with a Western Conference semifinal opener (8 pm ET; NBCSN, free stream at MLSsoccer.com, get tickets here) of the MLS Cup Playoffs, presented by AT&T, at Real Salt Lake (15-8-11), the club that ended their three-peat hopes at this stage last year, and they're brimming with confidence.
“I think we were just a little young and a little naïve in a few places last year, said Landon Donovan, who is heading into his final playoff run. “Obviously, Gyasi [Zardes has] grown up a lot this year, Robbie [Rogers] started in [the playoffs] last year but wasn't what he's become this year, and other guys are a year older, a year more experienced. I think we're in a much better position. We feel a lot better going into this series.”
LA dropped last year's playoff opener in a 1-0 RSL victory, then conceded twice on set pieces, the second in overtime, to drop a 2-0 decision in the second leg at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL went on to the MLS Cup final, falling to Sporting Kansas City.
That prompted LA to bolster their midfield, bringing in Baggio Husidic and Stefan Ishizaki, and start tailoring a broader and more balanced squad. Zardes' maturation has done wonders, Donovan's move to the left side of midfield and Rogers' impressive transition to left back has added dimensions. Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas have been in tune in year two of their midfield partnership, and Robbie Keane's performance, his teammates attest, should be honored with the league's MVP award.
The Galaxy finished the season 15-4-7 and had the league's No. 1 offense and defense. There's reason to feel good about their chances.
“It feels very different [from last year]. I'm not saying we weren't confident last year … it's just totally different,” Rogers said. “The locker room feels the same, but I just feel like we were more successful in league, so maybe we're more confident that way. We felt like we could have won a Supporters' Shield this year and really feel like we could win a championship this year.
“And I'm not saying we didn't feel that way last year, I just think we've proven through the season that we're a very good team, and I think last year maybe we didn't prove it as much or as often.”
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RSL, however, have gotten the better of the Galaxy in two of their three previous playoff meetings – there was the penalty-shootout victory at the 2009 MLS Cup final before last year's series – and LA have deep respect for their rival.
“In my opinion, the two best teams over the last five, six, seven years,” Donovan said.
