Yes, it is possible for the Galaxy to lose on Sunday evening and with some other results in MLS going their way, still have their playoff hopes alive. But is it realistic? The answer is a firm, NO! If LA is to have any chance at getting into the postseason, they will need to win all three of their remaining games, which fortunately are all against Western Conference teams. I imagine some of you are saying, "this team has not given us any reason to believe they are capable of accomplishing the above statement." To that I say, there is a first time for everything!
Looking to Sunday's game, this is a game that will be wide open. LA and the Rapids are similar in the fact that they each have some good attacking options, but defending is not the strength of either team. Expect to see four or five goals combined from the two teams, and both goalkeepers seeing a lot of action. The Rapids have surrendered seven goals in their last two matches, earning a win and a loss in those games. Of course LA looked better defensively last week against Columbus, but as we all have witnessed many times during the '08 campaign, had the lone lapse in concentration that led to Josh Saunders picking the ball out of the back of the net. Really, it would be so much fun to see this team go an entire 90 minutes without having that lapse in focus.
Like Los Angeles, the Rapids will be without some key players for the game Sunday. Omar Cummings (Jamaica) and goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul (Senegal) will be away on national team duty. Former Chivas USA keeper, Preston Burpo will start in goal for the Rapids, in my opinion, one of the best backup keepers in the league, and could be a starter for a few teams in this league. Tom McManus, although listed as probable on the injury report, will likely get the nod to start up front from coach Gary Smith. Smith by the way, took over for Fernando Clavijo, and will be facing the Galaxy for his first time as the Rapids' head coach.
So... no Beckham or Donovan for LA in this "must win" match. That means a healthy dose of Edson Buddle and Alan Gordon up top. Buddle needs to find the fire that had him very difficult to stop at the midway point of the season. You would think that Gordon might have a bone to pick with the Rapids' defense after he and Facundo Erpen were shown first half red-cards the last time these teams faced off at the HDC. Certainly will be an entertaining match-up to keep an eye on. Bryan Jordan should slide in as a good attacking option in the wide right position of the midfield. There is no denying this youngster's desire and energy out on the pitch. Once he gets more MLS games under his belt, I see him becoming a regular contributor to this team in the future.
Now for the defense... I have moved past asking for shutouts. It just is not going happen with this team, and where they are now. But as I stated above, a 90-minute effort without glaring mistakes in the back would be a good starting point. Speaking of starting points, that is one of the aspects of defending I am talking about. At times the LA defenders are not in the correct spots to begin with, thus make it tough to recover on a ball or marking assignment in the area, which has led to breakdowns and then goals given up. Troy Roberts and Sean Franklin have been coming together toward the end of this season, and it's too bad that this was not the combination from the outset of the season. Franklin is making a strong case for 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year.
Finally, the next chapter in "As the World of LA Goalkeepers Turns." I thought Josh Saunders did well in goal against Columbus and would like to see him make his second straight start. Not much he could have done on the lone Columbus goal, as his defense let him down with the marking inside the area. Saunders seemed very confident once the match got going, and the performance is something he and the rest of the defense can build upon.
