The Los Angeles Galaxy didn't have much time to celebrate their second U.S. Open Cup championship.
The Galaxy defeated FC Dallas 1-0 Wednesday night in a game that was never really as close as the score suggested. As a reward the Galaxy took Thursday off, but returned to the training field the following day to prepare for the rest of their regular season schedule.
The first team up is FC Dallas, who the Galaxy will now have met for the third time in just 10 days. The first meeting in the recent series went to Dallas in convincing fashion, as the Hoops walked away with a 4-1 victory Sept. 21 at Pizza Hut Park. Game two belonged to the Galaxy, and the rubber match will be decided on Saturday night at The Home Depot Center.
"Come Saturday we want to make sure we come out focused. They're going to come out fired up on Saturday," said defender Tyrone Marshall. "It's going to be a different attitude. We just have to come out and match the intensity. Once we do that we'll be fine, we just have to make sure we take care of business out there on the pitch."
Bringing the intensity and energy to the field could prove to be difficult for the Galaxy though. Sandwiched between the three games against FC Dallas was a home clash against Kansas City last Sunday. Head coach Steve Sampson used his first 11 for the better part of both matches, and it will be hard to imagine that some of the older veterans are going to have the legs to go again come Saturday.
However, Dallas is in the same situation. Saturday will be their third game in a week, all of which were on the road. Injuries will also play a factor for FCD who were without the services of Carlos Ruiz and Eddie Johnson on Wednesday night and will likely be so again on Saturday.
Still, at this juncture in the season, with playoff position hanging in the balance of every remaining result, both teams will come out fired up on Saturday, regardless of whom is on the field. Todd Dunivant is hoping that Wednesday's win will carry over.
"Any time you win a game and you play a couple days later that's going to make an impact. Any time we play on this field we feel confident," said Dunivant. "We feel confident playing Dallas again. We'll have to regroup and reorganize. I think it (Wednesday's win) will definitely carry over."
With just three games left on the regular season schedule for the Galaxy, Saturday is a must win if the Galaxy are to catch Dallas for second place and secure home-field advantage for the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Equally important is the team chasing the Galaxy. Colorado is five points behind in the standings, but has two games in hand on Los Angeles. If the Galaxy can win out their remaining schedule it would force Colorado to do the same in order to catch them.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
