Last weekend the Los Angeles Galaxy took on a team in search of its first victory of the season. Instead of jumping on a struggling opponent at home, the Galaxy were outplayed in every offensive category by the Columbus Crew, eventually falling 1-0 to a late Kyle Martino goal.
This weekend Los Angeles will play another team in search of their first victory, only this time on the road. The Galaxy will travel to Salt Lake City to take on Real at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Even though RSL is currently sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference table, the Galaxy won't be taking their opponents lightly.
"We can't take any team lightly. Look at Columbus, they hadn't won all year," said Tyrone Marshall, whose leadership will most likely come from the sidelines this weekend due to a strained MCL. "But they came out here and played their 'A' game. We're L.A.; everyone always seems to play their best game against L.A."
Galaxy head coach Steve Sampson was even more emphatic, pointing out his own teams struggles as reason enough why this weekend's game will be a battle.
"We have no reason to take any team lightly. We've done nothing so far this season," said the Galaxy boss. "For this team to think they can take any team lightly is crazy."
So far this season the Galaxy has looked to be anything but a championship team. At times they have looked downright lethargic, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
"For us to be successful we have to play with much better energy," said Sampson. "Teams are playing us tough and for us to get any results this year we're going to have to raise our level significantly."
Real Salt Lake are trying to get their offense going as well. Still, the Galaxy defense knows it will have its hands full.
Jason Kreis is the all-time leading scorer in MLS history, and has proven already this season that he's not yet finished, having scored a blistering header two weeks ago against the New York Red Bulls, then hitting a remarkable free kick last weekend that somehow stayed out of the goal despite hitting both posts.
Against Houston Dynamo last weekend, Kreis played in attacking midfield, providing service to the strike pair of Andy Williams and Jeff Cunningham. Last year when Cunningham was with Colorado he proved to be a thorn in the side of the Galaxy defense on more than one occasion and will look to start a little goal-scoring streak, having scored last week in Houston.
With two teams looking to right the ship in the early part of the season, Galaxy captain Pete Vagenas knows that this game provides a chance for his side to get the ball rolling, but he also knows that will be a difficult test.
"We always seem to get teams on the brink of desperation. They haven't won yet, it's a home game for them, and it's on turf, so we have a whole new set of challenges," Vagenas said.
Greg Daurio is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
