The Basics
Los Angeles Galaxy (13-5-5, 44 points, tied for first place in Western Conference) vs. Columbus Crew (13-5-5, 44 points, first in Eastern Conference) at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
All time series: Crew lead 15-10-8; series is even 7-7-4 in LA.
TV Info
FS West (LA area, delayed to 9:30 p.m. PT)
Radio Info
English: AM 1150 - LIVE on radio and online
Spanish: 1220AM - LIVE on radio
Game Intro
In quite possibly the most important regular-season game of 2010, Eastern Conference leaders Columbus visit Western Conference leaders Los Angeles.
Not only does this game have implications within each conference—possibly more for the Galaxy and their ever-tightening conference—but the team that comes out on top would take the lead in the battle for the Supporters' Shield. Columbus are vying for their third consecutive Shield while the Galaxy are hoping to win their first Shield since 2002.
As if all of that didn't make the "Battle of the Best, Round 2," important enough, David Beckham could make his 2010 season debut. Beckham was activated from the disabled list on Thursday and played 45 minutes in a scrimmage the day before. The English midfielder said Thursday that he hoped to play some sort of role in the game.
Los Angeles Galaxy
After an eye-popping start of 10-0-2, the Galaxy have come back down to Planet MLS. They are 2-4-2 since early July and the rest of the league has been slowly making up ground. Columbus finally caught the Galaxy in the Shield race last weekend.
LA are lucky to enter Saturday's match not on a massive drought. Omar Gonzalez's 90th-minute equalizer last weekend against 10-man Chicago snapped their 350-minute scoreless streak and ensured that the club had at least a little momentum heading into the crunch clash. But there are other worries. Namely, the Galaxy have not won at home since July 4, though that stat is tempered by the fact that they have played just four league games at The Home Depot Center over that stretch.
Columbus Crew
Perhaps the Crew's visit to the HDC is coming at a perfect time. After all, they did not have a midweek match leading up to this game and will have had a full week to prepare – something that hasn't happened much of late as they have battled in CONCACAF Champions League play and US Open Cup play.
After the LA match, the Crew will begin another tough stretch that includes more Champions League matches, both home and away, as well as the US Open Cup final, on Oct. 5 at Seattle.
Still, Columbus have come through a difficult August in good shape. Guillermo Barros Schelotto has picked up his game, the return of Eddie Gaven from injury has provided the necessary flank danger and the emergence of attacker Emilio Renteria has given the offense a needed boost. With a win, the Crew will take possession of the top spot in the overall league standings and will be the frontrunners in the Supporters' Shield race.
READ: Schelotto back to full practice with the Crew
Heroes & Villains
Chad Marshall vs. Edson Buddle: Perhaps the rest of the league has figured out the best way to slow down the Galaxy—make sure Buddle doesn't score. The Galaxy are 8-0-1 in games in which Buddle scores; 2-4-3 when he doesn't. While putting the clamps down on midfielders such as Juninho and Michael Stephens has helped, opposing teams have also done well to muscle Buddle around.
If physical play is the key to slowing down Buddle, then expect the bulking Marshall to throw his weight around and knock Buddle off the ball. The two-time MLS Defender of the Year rarely gets beaten, as he is always seemingly in the right position. On Columbus set pieces, the tables could be turned as Marshall is dangerous in the air as well.
Stats that make you go "Hmm..."
Since the start of the 2009 season, Columbus and Los Angeles have amassed the most points in the league. The Crew have 93 points while the Galaxy have 92. Real Salt Lake (83) are the closest competitor and the only other team with more than 80 points in that span.
