Galaxy are one win away from playoff berth

Larry Morgan

CARSON, Calif. – The LA Galaxy can become the first MLS team to officially clinch a playoff berth with a victory in Friday’s match against the Colorado Rapids (8 p.m., Fox Soccer, Fox Deportes) at The Home Depot Center.

They also can make the postseason with a draw combined with losses by Chivas USA, New York and Portland on Saturday. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, however, said any postseason talk is pointless because in his mind, the Galaxy (14-3-10, 52 points) already are in.

“We’ve made the playoffs,” he said after training Friday. “Realistically, I would think if we lost the next seven games we’re probably in the playoffs. I don’t see eight other teams getting 52 points, right? If that happens, then we had a pretty good year in the league.

“We’re not juiced up to make the playoffs. That hasn’t even entered the equation. I think we’ve taken care of that, not that I want to end up as the 10th team. We want to end up as the first team.

“We’re doing this game like we do every game, one game at a time,” he went on. “We’re going to do our best to win this game.”

The Galaxy’s Adam Cristman said that has been the approach all season. Clinching the playoffs is secondary, in his opinion.

“Our focus is to continue to have success in every game,” he said. “For this week, it’s three points against Colorado, next week it’s getting at least a point in Mexico (in CONCACAF Champions League play). Those things are our focus.

“Ultimately the goal is to be the Supporters’ Shield winner and make it to the top seed in the playoffs to set ourselves up to win MLS Cup. That’s our focus, and every game matters. We’re focused for this weekend, regardless of what it means as far as actually securing a playoff spot.”

Landon Donovan, on the other hand, said he is relishing the thought of making the postseason official on Friday.

“It’s always the first goal when you get together every year,” he said. “I was part of a number of teams that didn’t make the playoffs here (2006, 2007 and 2008), and I know it’s not easy. As you get older and you’re more connected with what goes on every day behind the scenes, what happens with other teams and how difficult it is, you realize what a challenge it is. Now I absolutely appreciate it.

“Hopefully we can sew it up tomorrow and get ready for Tuesday.”

But before the Galaxy resumes CONCACAF Champions League play against Monarcas Morelia at Estadio Morelos, there is the small matter of facing a Rapids (10-7-11, 41 points) team that has given the Galaxy problems. Colorado, in fact, is the lone MLS team to have beaten the Galaxy in Carson in each of the last two seasons.

“We always have a tough game against Colorado,” the Galaxy’s David Beckham said. “They always come here, they’re a good outfit, a good team and I’m sure they’ll be up for it.

“We’re well-prepared and we’re ready for what they’re going to bring, but it’s about our performance. If we perform well, then it shouldn’t be a problem.”