CARSON, Calif. – The math is simple for the LA Galaxy, if they win against the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday by one goal, their Western Conference Semifinal will go to Extra time. Win by more than one goal? The Galaxy will advance to the Western Conference Championship. Tie or lose? The Galaxy’s title defense will come to an end.
Currently down a goal on aggregate after Victor Bernárdez put San Jose ahead in stoppage time of the first leg, the Galaxy forward Robbie Keane told reporters that the Galaxy have been in a similar situation this postseason.
“Last week when we played Vancouver, we conceded in the first minute and we scored two goals so it’s kind of the same scenario to be honest with you really. We know that we’re going to any team and playing against anybody and scoring goals,” said Keane. “Obviously, that’s what we’ll be looking to do, but at the same time we have to be clever with the way that we defend because the last thing that we want to do is concede anymore goals.”
Although the Galaxy face a stiff test against a club that is unbeaten against the Galaxy and unbeaten at Buck Shaw Stadium, Keane admits LA is confident of prevailing.
“We know in the locker room that we have got players that are quite capable that when we’re on form that we can beat anybody that will certainly be the case tomorrow,” said Keane. “But at the moment, they’re clearly the favorites; we’re one goal and playing in front of the home crowd. It’s up to them that if they throw it away, it’s up to us to win. They’ll be going in there with the right attitude and mentality to do that.”
But ahead of tomorrow’s match up Keane believes that “it’s all or nothing tomorrow” for the Galaxy.
“We ought to roll our sleeves up and fight hard to try to win this game. If not we’re going home and everyone is going their separate ways to go wherever they want to go. Nobody wants to do that at the moment, we want to stay here as long as we can and retain the championship.
