CARSON, Calif. – Welcome to another season with the LA Galaxy, with almost too many competitions to keep track of, crazy travel schedules and barely enough time to catch their collective breath.
The 2012 season is off to its usual frantic start, with the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against Toronto FC (a 2-2 tie on Wednesday in Toronto) already under their belts, followed by the regular season home opener against Real Salt Lake on tonight at The Home Depot Center and the second leg against Toronto on Wednesday at home. Tickets on sale now! BUY NOW
Preview: LA Galaxy vs Real Salt Lake
Moving rapidly from one competition to another could be viewed by some as difficult, but not as far as the Galaxy’s David Beckham is concerned. The key is to approach the matches the same way.
“They’re both as important as each other,” Beckham said after Friday’s light training session. “Obviously the game the other night was important. It’s important to the club and the players and, of course, the fans, but then we have a season opener against a very good team on Saturday.
“We have to be ready for both, we prepared for both and we want to win.”
The Galaxy certainly are no strangers to keeping their priorities in order, let alone adjusting to crowded schedules. In one 11-day stretch last season, the Galaxy played two Champions League matches (both on the road, against Morelia in Mexico and Alajuelense in Costa Rica) and a pair of regular season games, including one at Columbus just three days after facing Alajuelense.
In another seven-day stretch at the tail end of the regular season, the Galaxy played two MLS matches, one of them the season finale at Houston. That occurred just three days after LA’s final group match in the Champions League, a 1-0 win in Honduras over Motagua.
“We just have to play the way we played last year,” the Galaxy’s Mike Magee said about the challenges the schedule presents. “Last year I think we did a real good job adjusting to all the competitions. Last year we obviously gained some experience in this type of thing and we handled it very well.
“We just have to do the same thing. We put so much effort into it last year it’d be a shame to kind of let it go by the wayside.”
Defender Todd Dunivant said the experience culled from a year ago will be immeasurable in 2012.
“We took it one game at a time,” Dunivant said. “I know that’s a cliche, but it really makes a difference. To be honest it’s challenging, but it focuses us a little more.
“The big thing is to show up for every game because we’re getting everyone’s best. Every time anyone plays the Galaxy, they’re circling it on their calendar and it’s a big game. We have to raise our level because of it.
“We have to stay tuned and ready to go.”
