The Los Angeles Galaxy will be gunning for Major
League Soccer's Western Conference crown when they host the San Jose
Earthquakes on Saturday night.
The Galaxy (11-6-12) are currently tied with Houston and Chivas USA atop the
Western table, and a win and a favorable result between the other two in the
last weekend of the regular season ensures the Galaxy the top spot.
L.A. is coming off a scoreless draw at Houston last week and will be hoping to
improve upon that result this week.
"It was a tough game. Houston is a real difficult team to play, when they are
at home, with the tight field, their physicality, their quality on set pieces,
it wasn't easy," L.A. coach Bruce Arena said. "It was a battle for 90 minutes.
I liked the mentality of our group and the concentration we showed. Again,
it's a good team in a game that meant something to both teams. I think we have
to be pleased with at least leaving with a point."
The game was physical and very tight, exactly what the team expects when the
playoffs start next week.
"This was a like a dress rehearsal for the playoffs, this is the same type of
atmosphere you would get," L.A. goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts said. "Houston,
they're a tough, physical team and playing the way we did, we were good enough
to get a point."
The 'Quakes (7-13-9) are eliminated from playoff contention, but are playing
for pride in their last game of 2009 as they did last week in hold Chivas USA
to 2-2 draw.
"Any game you play away from home is important to get something out of," S.J.
coach Frank Yallop said. "A tie is good. You try to get a win obviously but
winning away from home in this league is not easy. There are signs there that
we can win away from home."
San Jose actually went up in the game before allowing a late equalizer to
Chivas.
"It's kind of been the story of the season," S.J. forward Ryan Johnson said.
"We would get up on teams and would somehow let them get back into games,
would let them tie the game or lose it. It's been a recurring things with this
team and that's one thing we have to correct for next year."
L.A. will be without defender Julian Valentin and forward Alecko Eskandarian,
while defender A.J. DeLaGarza and midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi are
questionable on the injury report.
San Jose will be without midfielders Darren Huckerby and Andre Luiz, forwards
Cornell Glen and Chris Wondolowski and defender Jason Hernandez because of
injury.
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