If the Los Angeles Galaxy could just figure out a way to play all their games in The Home Depot Center, they'd be the most dominant team in the league. The Galaxy hasn't lost a game there all season long, but unfortunately for the Green and Gold, they have to play by the same rules as everyone else and hit the road for about half of their schedule.
This week the road leads to Giants Stadium, where the Galaxy take on the MetroStars on Saturday. Ironically, while the Galaxy has flourished at home, North Jersey has had the opposite effect on the Metros.
Since the start of the season, the MetroStars have played eight times at the Meadowlands, notching two wins, two losses and four draws. Not exactly an awe-inspiring record to intimidate their guests.
The only thing overshadowing the Metros home performance is the Galaxy's futility on the road. In six games away from The Home Depot Center, the Galaxy has amassed two total goals and just one measly point, a draw in their last road game against expansion side Real Salt Lake. Technically, the Galaxy have recorded a "road" victory this season -- but that came in their Carson home against stadium-mate Chivas USA.
The Galaxy should be bolstered by the return of Jovan Kirovski and Pete Vagenas, both of whom missed last week's game with minor injuries. Both additions will be a much-needed boost to an attack that's been nothing short of anemic lately, shut out in half their games in the month of June.
For the Metros, a talented group of young stars like Eddie Gaven highlight the roster, but they have been given an added boost themselves. Ante Razov joined the Gotham side after being traded from Columbus. The striker has enjoyed a rejuvenation of his season, having scored three goals in three games since making the switch.
"Ante is doing some great stuff and wants to get back with the national team," said Galaxy coach Steve Sampson. "He wants to make a statement this year and is doing great things in New York."
He's just one of several players that the Galaxy are going to have to worry about. With all the new faces in the Galaxy lineup recently, they are going to have to play extraordinary team defense, and figure out how to find some form of continuity despite limited time together on the field.
Rookie Michael Enfield is one of those new faces. His second-half inclusion into the game against New England produced the Galaxy's lone goal, and he should be a part of Sampson's offensive plans again this week. He, like the rest of his teammates, is hoping that good things will come to this team.
"We have to get wins. We've been working really hard in training," said Enfield. "The wins are going to come. All we have to think about is getting three points."
This past Monday's heartbreak, where they gave up the tying goal in the 94th minute, is just another episode in a long line of what has now become a five-game winless streak. Sampson and his Galaxy charges know they have to look forward and not worry about what's already happened.
"We just have to continue to plug away. We have to put this behind us and continue to work," said Sampson. "None of us are going to stop believing."
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
