Similar to last week, the Galaxy don’t really have a lot to play for when they face Houston this Sunday to close out the MLS regular season. The Dynamo on the other hand, have plenty at stake. Depending on the final result, Houston will finish anywhere from first in the East, to eighth or even ninth in the field of 10 teams heading to the postseason. So just as I asked last week going into the game against Chivas USA, “What is LA’s mindset for a match that has very little riding on it?”
The Galaxy surprised me a bit last week, so I expect them to do it again, just in a different way. Let me explain. You would be out of your mind if you didn’t think Bruce Arena would be resting some big names for this game, especially when you consider the massive win for LA down in Honduras on Thursday night. This means that numerous players that you might not see getting big minutes will have the opportunity to get a run in. I expect to see Miguel Lopez, Michael Stephens, Paolo Cardozo, Adam Cristman, and Jovan Kirovski all play extended time. In addition, it is possible that Donovan Ricketts steps back onto the field in a continued effort to find out if Ricketts is at full strength heading into the playoffs.
Meanwhile, I expect David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Todd Dunivant, Omar Gonzalez and a few others to get the night off and do something they have not done too often this season. Kick their feet up and watch the game on FOX Sports West.
The players that will be on the field at Robertson Stadium should bring energy and excitement to the match. This group should be used to playing together as a unit because they have been the team that lines up opposite the usual starting 11 and tries to make life difficult during training sessions. Will there be some lack of execution at times, or miscommunications on the field, sure. But I think once you get through the first 15 minutes of the game and have the chance to settle in, I expect LA to play well and give itself a shot at a result.
Looking at the Dynamo, as I mentioned Dominic Kinnear’s club has plenty to play for on Sunday evening. The Orange Crush enters the game in good form, unbeaten in the last four games, three of those wins. The most recent win, a 2-0 victory in Portland, which as many teams in MLS can tell you, it is a tough place to win. Ask the Galaxy; they are included in the bunch.
I am looking forward to watching midfielder Brad Davis. I have not seen Davis play in person since last year, and as you are probably aware he is currently tied with Beckham for the assist lead in MLS with 15. That crown is now Davis’ to win as I don’t expect LA to have a #23 out on the field. Brad is a smooth, consistent player who is arguably having his best season ever at 29-years-old. The chatter surrounding the Dynamo midfielder as a possible MVP candidate is very deserved.
It would be a treat to see the Galaxy win the game and set a new record for points in a season in MLS. If LA can do it via a shutout, that would be even better as that would set another MLS record for most clean sheets in a campaign. So I guess that there is something to play for.
While playing for MLS record book numbers is clearly not the same as fighting for playoff position, it does have meaning to a prideful group such as Bruce Arena’s team.
I hope that you tune in to FOX Sports West tomorrow to catch all the action and we’ll see you in the playoffs Galaxy’ fans!
