Long Layoff Leads to Questions for Analyst Mark Rogondino

Mark Rogondino

CARSON, Calif. -- Seems like it has been ages since I have put down some ideas on a page detailing what you might see in an upcoming LA Galaxy game. In reality, it has been a longer than normal period due to the rescheduling of the match against New York, because of Hurricane Irene last week on the East Coast.

But, here we are again as LA prepare for a rare Monday date with Sporting Kansas City. The game at Sporting's new home, LIVESTRONG Sporting Park, is being played on Labor Day after the teams rescheduled the original date earlier this year.

READ: League-leading Galaxy return to MLS action against Sporting
WATCH: KC vs LA Match Preview

It will be the second time the Galaxy take the field against Sporting KC with LA routing Peter Vermes’ team back in May at The Home Depot Center by the score of 4-1. The first match in 2011 was one of the few times this season where the Galaxy had to play from behind, after an Omar Gonzalez own goal gave the visitors the lead late in the first half.

Landon Donovan equalized just before the break before grabbing his second just seconds into the second half. That goal spurred the Galaxy onto a dominant second half performance that saw them grab two more goals and one of their biggest wins of the season.

I expect things to be much different this time around. Sporting are a much better club at this point in the season and their standing in the Eastern Conference table proves it. Remember they had to open the season with a very long road trip while their new home was being completed. But this is a team that has made the most of the chance to have so many home games in the second half of the season.

One of the biggest questions coming into the game will be how the Galaxy respond to more than two weeks without playing an MLS game. LA's last league game was on August 20 when they shutout San Jose 2-0, coincidentally the night Robbie Keane made his debut with the club. Really it can only go two ways: the layoff serves LA well and they are full of energy, or it takes the club some time to get up to speed. And, like they did in the first meeting, SKC gets on the board first. My gut tells me that it will be the latter.

The Galaxy will be without Keane for Monday's contest, as he is away on international duty with Ireland in Russia. The same is true for midfielder Chris Birchall, who returned to Trinidad and Tobago's National Team for a pair of World Cup qualifiers. While both players will be missed, it is the absence of Keane that will have the bigger impact. Just having him on the field forces defenders to take notice and play him honest.

That means that other players are able to find some extra space. Adam Cristman and Chad Barrett have shown that they will make you pay if you give one of them a chance to strike, but Keane's presence makes it more likely other strikers see quality chances.

READ: Galaxy forward Adam Cristman returns healthy to Kansas City

I thought it was a wise decision that Donovan decided to skip the trip to Belgium with the U.S. National Team for Tuesday’s friendly. Once again it exemplifies Donovan's commitment to the club, and his desire to lead this team to a championship.

WATCH: Donovan, Arena speak following training in Kansas City on Sunday

The Galaxy have two MLS games within five days and it is an opportunity to secure a playoff spot for a third year running. Sure, a trip over to Europe would have been nice, but I am pretty sure that Jurgen Klinsmann has Landon in his plans for the future, and Bruce Arena's team has a deeper need for Donovan's skills on the pitch.

READ: Grueling stretch for LA starts with trip to Kansas City

Meanwhile, Sporting will be with out two of its own attacking options: Kei Kamara and Teal Bunbury, whom are both away on international duty. If Omar Bravo is in the Kansas City lineup, he is the player the Galaxy defense has to keep the closest eye on.

While this adds to the story line for Sporting, the bigger theme for Peter Vermes' club is also a question concerning response. In their last game, it looked as though Sporting had the three points locked up, only to see FC Dallas score two late goals including the game winning goal to steal all of the points at before a sell-out crowd LIVESTRONG Sporting Park.

Monday's game will be a pretty solid indication of how deep this club can dig, and come back with a quality performance against one of the league's best.

Additionally, I’m not sure how much the Kansas City players would admit it, but I would think that the way they were played off the field in the second half of the first meeting back in May, they might want to give the Galaxy a little payback.

If the Galaxy can fend off the early energy and pace from Sporting, then there is the chance for LA to extend its unbeaten run versus Eastern Conference teams, who they have not lost to all season long. There will be a lot of fans in Kansas City hoping for LA to fall flat on the night, and early looks on goal for the home team will be like pouring gas on the fire.

Thus, possession for LA in the opening 15-20 minutes will go a long way to helping the tempo of the game swing in the Galaxy's favor, not to mention quiet the rowdy crowd. If this does indeed happen, this is a game where LA's talent can take over and earn another win.