Response will once again be the buzz word heading onto Friday’s match with Colorado.
Following the wide spectrum of emotions in the 2-2 draw with Sporting Kansas City, there certainly are questions concerning how the Galaxy will step on the pitch at The Home Depot Center.
In one sense, the Galaxy has to feel good about earning a point on the road, but considering the way things unfolded in the second half of the match, there has to be some disappointment too.
Now with minimal time to recover, questions rise not only over the mental sharpness of the side, but physically how players will feel playing a game four days later with one of those days being the club’s flight back to Southern California on Tuesday morning.
One of the most consistent aspects of the 2011 Galaxy team has been the defense. As Coach Bruce Arena has pointed out to me so many times when I have questions surrounding the defense, it is not just the back four and the goalkeeper that encompasses the defense. The midfield and even the guys running up top have defensive responsibilities at certain points in a match.
In the second half of the match with Kansas City, some of the defensive duties seemed to lack focus. LA’s inability to hold the ball in possession and the number of turnovers are points of concern. Against a team like the Rapids, a similar performance in the defense end, and the Galaxy’s unbeaten form at home might be in jeopardy.
Now, we move onto the positives. Sean Franklin has been playing well in his fourth season in MLS, but his efforts against Sporting KC reached a new level, as the 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year finished both of the Galaxy goals. Hard to believe Franklin went the first three years of his career without recording a goal in MLS play, and now he has four.
LISTEN: Sean Franklin on All-Access Podcast
If left back Todd Dunivant has been Mr. Consistency for LA, the Franklin has been Mr. Versatility, filling in at right back or on the right side of midfield depending on what the tactics dictate. Franklin has blossomed this season and in my eyes has given U.S. National Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann something to think about.
The Galaxy should receive a boost with the return of Irish international Robbie Keane to the squad. Keane has put in some serious miles in the last week, playing a total of 180 minutes in two games for Ireland, in addition to a flight back from Russia on Wednesday. Having Keane on the pitch on Friday gives the Rapids defense one more target to keep its eyes on.
Remember, Keane is still learning to play with new faces around him, but putting the ball in the back of the net is nothing new for him and given a chance to strike he will finish his chances. As I said in the past on this very same page, Keane’s abilities and his reputation as a finisher will give other players better looks around the goal.
One of the best features in this game will be the match-ups in the midfield. You could argue that these are the most talented midfields in the league. Beckham, Juninho and Landon on LA’s side, and then the Rapids counter with Larentowicz, Mastroeni and Nyassi. This will be where the game is decided.
READ - LA's Donovan: Colorado midfield is "as good as it gets"
If the Galaxy can dictate the tempo, and have the lion’s share of the possession, thus eliminating where it all starts for Colorado, then LA will have success in the match. They did exactly that in June when despite playing without Donovan Ricketts, David Beckham and Landon Donovan, they beat the Rapids 3-1 in Commerce City.
READ - Match Preview: Galaxy have a chance to clinch postseason vs Rapids
But if the Rapids are the ones winning the ball in the middle of the park, getting the ball wide for service in the box, then it will be a long night for the Galaxy defense, the same defense that wasn’t as sharp as you might like on Monday against Sporting KC.
This is the same defense that many will be watching to see if they respond in a positive direction after failing to keep the lead in the dying moments of the last match.
WATCH: Arena, Donovan, Beckham preview LA vs COL
