CARSON, Calif. (Monday, Oct. 27, 2014) – The LA Galaxy’s First To Five postseason quest to become the first team in MLS to win five MLS Cup trophies begins this Saturday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. PT at Rio Tinto Stadium in a match against Real Salt Lake in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals.
The Galaxy finished the 2014 MLS Regular Season with a 17-7-10 record and 61 points, scoring 69 goals scored while allowing just 37. LA’s +32 goal differential is the best in MLS this season and the second-highest in League history, trailing only the 1998 Galaxy side that recorded a +41 goal differential. The team ends the year with just seven losses in their 34 matches, the fewest in MLS this season, having only lost only four matches in the team’s final 26 games.
LA enter the match with an 11-11-6 record all-time against Salt Lake in regular season play, scoring 42 goals. In MLS Cup Playoff matches, the Galaxy have gone 2-1-1 against Salt Lake.
The Galaxy will face Salt Lake for the fourth time this season, with LA going 1-1-1 in in the previous three matches. In the previous match at Rio Tinto Stadium played March 22, the Galaxy earned a 1-1 draw as Robbie Keane leveled the match in the 34th minute.
Robbie Keane led the Galaxy this season with 19 goals, good enough for third-most in MLS this season. Landon Donovan finished the year with an MLS-high 19 assists while goalkeeper Jaime Penedo recorded a 1.14 goals against average, the fourth-best in MLS.
Defender Omar Gonzalez will be available for selection after serving a one-game suspension last weekend in the club’s match against Seattle.
Galaxy Training Schedule (All times Pacific)
| Date | Start Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
Tuesday, Oct. 28 | TEAM OFF | |
Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 10 a.m. | StubHub Center – University Field #1 |
Thursday, Oct. 30 | 10 a.m. | StubHub Center – University Field #1 |
Friday, Oct. 31 | 10 a.m. | StubHub Center – University Field #1 |
Saturday, Nov. 1 | 5 p.m. | MLS Western Conference Semifinal, Leg 1: LA Galaxy at Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium |
Sunday, Nov. 2 | TEAM RETURNS TO LA | |
Monday, Nov. 3 | TBA | |
Media availability will take place fieldside following training on select days. Media members wishing to attend training are asked to contact the Galaxy Communications Department prior to the session that you wish to attend. Please be advised that training sessions vary in length so be sure to arrive as close to the start of training as possible.
Interview Requests outside of these time periods can be made via email with the Galaxy Communications Department at mediarequests@lagalaxy.com or by contacting any member of the Department.
Tickets to the Galaxy’s First to Five 2014 MLS Playoffs are on sale now. For playoff tickets, call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) or visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets/playoffs. The Galaxy are set to play the second leg of the 2014 Western Conference Semifinal Sunday, Nov. 9 at StubHub Center.
