Postgame Reaction from the Playoff Win in Seattle

Here is what some of the players had to say in the locker rooms after last night's game...

Bruce Arena - Galaxy Head Coach

(On the game...) "Tough game, tough conditions. This field wasn't easy to play on for either team. Pretty classic playoff game where you go on the road and defend and try to get out of here. We were playing to win. It certainly keeps the series really tight and there's everything to play for in the next game. "

(On the goal...) "That's a turf ball. There were a lot of turf plays -- balls bouncing around, off of shins, up in the air, out of bounds. We don't want to make too many copies of this game and distribute it around."

(On LA's defense...) "It was good. Their top four guys are good. [Blaise] Nkufo, [Fredy] Montero, [Steve] Zakuani and [Sanna] Nyassi are dangerous players and you have to be able to concentrate the whole time. They're a handful."

(On the conditions...) "We weren't quite sure what the field was going to be like. I guess they watered it down before the game so it was slick. When it's this cool, it's going to stay wet and fast the whole time. Once we got here we could see that the field was playing faster than it did (Saturday) when we were training in the pouring rain. This kind of played like the MLS final last year - a real slick surface and the field is a little bit hard. It's a tough field to play on."

(On Donovan Ricketts' saves...) "I remember two great saves. In succession we had to tip it over. It was off a corner kick. The ball kind of squirted loose and [Fredy] Montero got away from [A.J.] DeLaGarza so Ricketts had to tip it over. But it was the save before that was big. A couple of the others were a little bit more routine. He had to stretch out on [Nathan] Sturgis' free kick. But he did good."

David Beckham - Galaxy Midfielder

(On the match...) "I thought it was a professional performance by us. We set our lineup early and we played some good football on the night. Our togetherness is what won the game and put us in a good position. We're happy with tonight and now we have to go do a job at home."

(On the field...) "We kind of knew it was going to be like that because we trained on it yesterday. We just had to do the job that we worked on all week because we knew they had fast players and that they'd get chances, but we also knew that if we passed the ball around well and played our game, then we'd do well."

(On his Achilles...) "It's very sore, I'm not going to lie. It felt sore in the first half and it was just a case of getting through it. I've got a good week now to relax and get it back to what it should be."
(On how the atmosphere in Seattle compares with Europe...) "For the MLS, it's like playing in front of a European crowd. The noise, the atmosphere, the excitement ... and it's great to play in. It's always great to play in front of a crowd like that."

(On the goal...) "Tonight and also next weekend, it's going to take something like that to win this game because we're two good teams with good players. It's going to take something special to win and get through these games. Tonight, that goal ... everyone is going to say did he mean it? Of course he meant it. He turned on the ball and there was no one else near him. It was good for us."

Donovan Ricketts - Galaxy Goalkeeper

(On the game...) "All the credit to my defense. They smothered the Seattle attack and whatever I had to do, I did, to keep my team in the game. Sometimes I have to work for my paycheck and tonight was a night I had to work for my paycheck."

(On the goal...) "It was a beautiful goal. I don't think I could've saved that either."

Edson Buddle - Galaxy Forward

(On silencing the crowd with the goal...) You think about those things coming in, but you focus on team and structure first. To get a go-ahead goal, it felt good."

(On the physical play...) "A playoff game and you expect it to be scrappy. Both teams are trying to win. There's a lot at stake."

(On the goal...) "Omar (Gonzalez) got a good clearance on the ball and I saw that developing so I was able to get a turn on the ball. It bounced perfect and I took a shot. The way the ball bounced is why I shot it. I got a volley on it and it hit perfect for me. When I shoot, I hope to score. The way I wanted it to go, it went. Usually it's not the case. I got good contact and the ball dipped just the way I wanted it to."

(On the field surface...) "I don't like turf at all. I've always said that. I'm sure the players here would prefer grass."

Landon Donovan - Galaxy Midfielder

(On the game...) "Our defense was terrific. Our back four was great. Donovan (Ricketts) was good when he needed to be. Our midfield, I think, completely controlled the game. We knew that their strength is wide and we wanted to make sure that we did a good job of getting around those guys and I thought we did."

(On Seattle targeting Eddie Lewis...) "Eddie has been around awhile and knows how to play. That's the beauty of having a team that's this deep. There's not many teams that would substitute a guy like that and have a game like that - a meaningful game like that. We're confident with whoever we put in there and I thought he did a great job."

(On that being the goal of the year...) "Yeah, it was pretty unbelievable. That's your MVP and if you guys didn't vote for him, you should be ashamed."

(On playing on the turf...) "It's the same for both teams. They have an advantage because they're used to it, but it makes the game difficult. It doesn't make the game pretty, but we didn't really want a pretty game tonight so it's fine. Maybe it gave them a little advantage, but I thought we did fine with it."

(On sending a message with this game...) "We don't need to send a message. We've been the best team for two years plus so there's no message to send. We know that we're good and we've got to keep playing like this if we're going to get to the final."

Sigi Schmid - Sounders FC Head Coach

(General comments...) "We're disappointed in the result. When you weigh the whole game, I thought we created more chances than they created. You take a goal where, hats offs to Edson [Buddle], but he just turns and hits the ball in the direction of the goal and it could go anywhere, but it went in. At the end of the day, right now, we're down at halftime 1-0 and have a second half to play in LA and everything is still possible for us."

(On Fredy Montero...) "Not really, a lot of times forwards are a bit streaky. I thought he had a couple decent looks tonight. Thought he got in good positions. Sometimes I think he's trying a little too hard a little bit and that's something we'll talk about this week. He is taking an extra touch when needs to give it a go. That's a case of him wanting to help the team. Not him trying to hurt the team."

(On LA in first half...) "I thought they did a good job on [Steve] Zakuani. Steve has to bring more. They pinched our midfield pretty deep. [Landon] Donovan spent more in their half of the field than he has in a long time. That was their game plan and when you get a fortunate goal, that stands up and the game plan looks really good."

(On referees...) "No comment. The referees are the referees."

(On knowing if Jeff Parke will be able to play in second leg...) "Not at this stage, we'll see. He rolled his ankle, so we'll see."

(On LA defensive scheme...) "It's what we said to our guys. Donovan [Ricketts] came up with a couple big saves in the first half and in the second half, I think we squandered a couple chances. The shot that [Steve] Zakuani had and certainly [Nate] Jaqua's chance there at the end. If we finish better or if Donovan doesn't have the game that he has we may come off this field 2 or 3-1 winners. We weren't worried at halftime going down 1-0 and were confident that we'd come back, but it wasn't meant to be."

(On chances...) "Encouraged that we created chances. If not creating chances, then really have to worry. I thought we created chances. I'm disappointed in our inability to finish. A couple were great saves and you take your hat off to them on those, but some that we should have finished."

(On not scoring being mentally worried...) "Guys don't go into the game thinking that we haven't scored a goal in so many minutes in the playoffs. It doesn't enter our mind and isn't something we talk about. It hasn't bounced our way, but that can change in the next game."

Kasey Keller - Sounders FC Goalkeeper

(On Edson Buddle's goal . . .) "Just one of those things that guys try one-hundred times in their career and never make it happen. And the one time he got it to go in a big game. Great goals change games and that's part of it. I thought our response in the second half was great. I was very happy with the way we played. We created good chances. We had more than enough opportunities to win the game. We got a little lucky there I think at the end. They had a good chance to maybe get a second but he pushed it wide. For the most part, I think a draw might have been fair. We feel very confident with the results we have gotten on the road that we can go down there and get through this tie. It's a long ways from being over. And that's what I'm probably happy about. If you're going to lose, this is the way to lose. You lose 1-0 on a ridiculous goal and you have all confidence to go down there and if it's 1-0 and penalties, it's 1-0 and penalties. If it's 2-1, whatever it takes we will make it happen. We will do our best to make it happen."

(On Sounders FC offense . . .) "They really pack it. They really get two big banks of four. They make it really difficult for you to play through midfield. I thought we were successful. I thought Sanna [Nyassi] and Steve [Zakuani] had opportunities to get the ball in the box and we had chances to score goals. No question about it. I thought the free kicks were great. We had opportunities to score goals off of free kicks as well. Sometimes you have to take what the team gives you. You can't necessarily just go out, maybe Brazil can, but few teams can dictate their style. You see what's open and you make that happen. I thought for the most part that we did very well."

Fredy Montero - Sounders FC Forward (via Translator)

(On the match . . .) "The keeper [Donovan Ricketts] played well, had a good afternoon. We played good football but we didn't convert the opportunities."

(On not scoring a goal . . .) "I feel the team is still playing the same style. If someone outside feels that the team is playing differently, I don't think that's the case. We are still playing with the same mentality."

(On getting a result in second leg . . .) "We really have nothing to lose. We have lost the first half. Unfortunately it was played at home. So there [The Home Depot Center] we can revert and maybe if they play a little more offensively we can score some goals."

Steve Zakuani - Sounders FC Midfielder

(On the match . . .) "It was frustrating. For whatever reason today we didn't play the way we have been playing, which is building from the back through the midfield and getting to the forwards, who were bypassed in the midfield. The game has to be made by [Nathan] Sturgis and [Osvaldo] Alonso, it has to. You look at football today, the game is made through the center mid. We were skipping them a lot today. It could've been L.A.'s pressure or something like that but it was just a bad first half. It was really scrappy. We didn't get much going. What we did was on set pieces. Unfortunately their keeper made some pretty good saves. We never had our game going. In saying that, we still had a lot of chances. I think we could've walked away with two or three goal possibly. It's frustrating and we have got to get ready for next week."

(On his production today . . .) "As a team, I just don't think we played how we have been playing. What we have been doing has been very basic. We get the ball to the midfielders. We get wide. We spring the wingers and stuff. And of course, you have got to change it a bit when you are playing someone like [Sean] Franklin but that's no problem for me at all. I'm still trying to do the same things I do. I think we didn't play well in the first half. They scored an unbelievable goal. You can't do anything about that but we came out in the second half and had a lot of chances. [. . .] We had some pretty good chances there and we are disappointed we didn't finish them."

Patrick Ianni - Sounders FC Defender

(On Edson Buddle's goal . . .) "The ball came into Edson and I tried to just bump him a little bit. The ball came in and he kind of wrapped me with his arm and kind of put it to the side of him. When he went to shoot I thought obviously Kasey [Keller] would have it. But he hit a wonder strike. Similar to last year with [Brian] Ching had a wonder goal, too. It was a good goal. There's nothing we can do about it now and so we go down to L.A. and play the same way that we did and I think we will have a very good chance of advancing."

(On Sounders FC offense . . .) "I think we had plenty of good chances and I think we feel very good as a group with the way we played. The substitutions came in. We had to make a substitution at the back. When he came in we were just as strong. We just have to be patient through 90 minutes down there and we will get out goal."

Buddle Wonder Strike Gives Galaxy 1-0 Win in First Leg of Conference Semifinal Series

LA Galaxy 1, Seattle Sounders FC 0
Western Conference Semifinal Series – Game One
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Qwest Field – Seattle, Wash.

Scoring Summary:
LA – Edson Buddle 1 (Omar Gonzalez 1) 38’

Misconduct Summary:
LA – Juninho (Yellow Card) 48’
SEA – Fredy Montero (Yellow Card) 49’
LA – Dema Kovalenko (Yellow Card) 65’
LA – Jovan Kirovski (Yellow Card) 82’
SEA – Blaise Nkufo (Yellow Card) 93+

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts; Sean Franklin, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Eddie Lewis (Gregg Berhalter 84’); Dema Kovalenko (Chris Birchall 70’), Juninho, David Beckham, Landon Donovan©; Mike Magee, Edson Buddle (Jovan Kirovski 73’).

Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, Alex Cazumba, Chris Klein, Tristan Bowen.

Seattle Sounders FC: Kasey Keller©; James Riley, Jeff Parke (Tyrone Marshall 65’), Patrick Ianni, Leo Gonzalez; Osvaldo Alonso, Nathan Sturgis (Nate Jaqua 81’), Sanna Nyassi (Alvaro Fernandez 74’), Steve Zakuani; Fredy Montero, Blaise Nkufo.

Subs Not Used: Terry Boss, Zach Scott, Michael Fucito, Roger Levesque.

Notes:
• With the win, the Galaxy go into next weekend’s second and final leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Series with a 1-0 lead on aggregate. If the Galaxy win or draw that game, they will advance to the Western Conference Championship. If the Sounders win that game by one goal, the Series will go to 30 minutes of extra time and then penalties if necessary.
• Since MLS adopted the current playoff format in 2003, the Galaxy are now 3-1-1 all-time in the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series. In the previous four trips to this round of the playoffs, they have advanced to the Conference Championship three times.
• The Galaxy are now 3-1-0 against the Sounders in all competitions this season, winning both regular season games as well as today’s match, while losing in the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup
• Bruce Arena made one change to the team that beat FC Dallas 2-1 in the regular season finale on October 24. Todd Dunivant, whose 27 regular season games played and started were the third most on the team, was not available because of a right hamstring strain. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Eddie Lewis.
• In addition to Dunivant, the Galaxy were also without Leonardo and Michael Stephens, who each missed the game with left knee pain. Yohance Marshall was also not available for selection while on duty with the Trinidad and Tobago National Team for the Digicel Caribbean Championships.
• Lewis was making just his fifth start in all competitions and his first in an MLS game since the regular season opener against New England on March 27.
• Juninho was the only member of the Galaxy’s starting XI to be making his postseason debut in the game. The other 10 starters were all with the club during the 2009 MLS Cup Playoffs. Of the seven available substitutes, only Tristan Bowen and Alex Cazumba did not play in the postseason last year.
• The Sounders thought that they had scored just 32 seconds into the game, only for Steve Zakuani to be ruled offside.
• Edson Buddle gave the Galaxy the lead in the 39th minute with a long range volley that beat Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller. The goal was the first postseason goal of Buddle’s Galaxy career and his third of his postseason career.
• Buddle’s last postseason goal came in 2004 when he was a member of the Columbus Crew against the New England Revolution exactly six years ago.
• Omar Gonzalez was credited with the only assist on the goal, heading the ball into Buddle’s path.
• Gonzalez did not have an assist during the regular season, though he did score two goals, including one at Qwest Field in a 4-0 win over the Sounders.
• The Galaxy’s central midfield duo of Juninho and Dema Kovalenko, as well as Jovan Kirovski were each booked in the game. If they are also booked in the second leg of this series, they would be suspended for the Western Conference Championship were the Galaxy to advance.
• Fredy Montero and Blaise Nkufo were each booked for the Sounders.
• Donovan Ricketts made eight saves in the game, seven in the first half, setting a new postseason career-high, breaking his record of five that he set in the 2009 Western Conference Championship against Houston.
• In the regular season this year, Ricketts never made more than six saves.
• This was his third shutout in five postseason games.
• Including the regular season, the Galaxy are now 10-3-3 on the road this season.
• In those 16 games, the Galaxy have kept a clean sheet 10 times.
• This was the Galaxy’s final road game of the year. If they advance to the Western Conference Championship, they will host either Real Salt Lake or FC Dallas while
• Donovan Ricketts made three saves to earn his 18th win of the season.
• Two of the Sounders’ three substitutions on the night were former Galaxy players. Nathan Sturgis, who started in central midfield, also used to play for the Galaxy.
• The attendance for today’s game was 35,521.
• The Galaxy will host the second and final leg on the series on Sunday, November 7 at The Home Depot Center. That game kicks off at 6 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPN.
• For more about today’s game, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.

The Postseason is Here

Just more than seven months after the MLS season began for the Galaxy, their postseason campaign gets underway with the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Series against Seattle at Qwest Field.

The Galaxy have never lost to the Sounders here at Qwest and they will look to keep that streak going tonight in front of an expected capacity crowd. These two sides have never met in the postseason, while the team's respective coaches, who rank 1-2 all-time in postseason wins, have never met in the postseason, either in MLS or in their time in college soccer.

Two late injuries have forced a lineup change for Bruce Arena as Todd Dunivant is forced out after being unable to shake a right hamstring strain while Michael Stephens is not included in the 18 man squad because of pain in his left knee. As a result, Eddie Lewis returns to the starting lineup at left back. This is his fifth start in all competitions this season and just his second in an MLS game, with the first coming in the season opener against New England all the way back on March 27.

Here is the complete Galaxy squad that Arena will put on the field tonight...

-------------Buddle-------------Magee----------------

Donovan--------------Juninho----------------Beckham

---------------------Kovalenko-------------------------

Lewis--------Gonzalez-------DeLaGarza-------Franklin

--------------------Ricketts------------------------

Subs: Saunders, Berhalter, Alex Cazumba, Klein, Lewis, Kirovski, Bowen.

And here is how the Seattle Sounders FC will line up for head coach Sigi Schmid.

---------------Montero-----------Nkufo------------------

Zakuani---------------------------------------------Nyassi

---------------Sturgis-------------Alonso------------------

Gonzalez--------Parke------------Ianni--------------Riley

------------------------Keller----------------------------

Subs: Boss, Marshall, Scott, Fucito, Fernandez, Levesque, Jaqua.

All Preparation Done, Galaxy Ready for Postseason Opener

Under a steady and sometimes heavy rain, the Galaxy went through their final training session of the week this evening at Qwest Field in Seattle.
It was a short session as much designed to get the guys loose and ready for tomorrow as it was to get everyone accustomed to the plastic field in the Sounders home stadium. With the rain falling for most of the day, it was cold and wet inside the stadium, making for a focused effort to get the work in and then get back to the hotel without risking injury.
Here is a report that Troy Bardy filed from Qwest after speaking to a number of the guys at the hotel this afternoon.

Additionally, here are a few extra photos from today's media session and training in the rain at Qwest.


Finally, a few things to know ahead of tomorrow' game...

- Seattle's Sigi Schmid has the most most postseason wins in MLS history with 19 while Bruce Arena has the second most with 16 history.

- The Galaxy and Sounders have twice met at Qwest Field, with the two sides playing to a 1-1 draw in May 2009 and LA winning 4-0 there earlier this season.

- No Galaxy player has more than one goal in their career against the Sounders, though six different players scored against them this season. Landon Donovan had a hand in five of the seven goals that LA scored against Seattle this season, scoring one and assisting on four.

- Two Seattle players have two career goals against the Galaxy, with Steve Zakuani scoring in each of the meetings between the sides in Carson and former Galaxy forward Nate Jaqua tallying a pair of goals against LA.

- Yohance Marshall did not accompany the team to Seattle, instead he travelled to Trinidad to join up with the Trinidad and Tobago National Team for the Digicel Caribbean Championship. A qualifying tournament for Caribbean nations for next summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the tournament will see Marshall and the Soca Warriors play three games in six days in an attempt to advance to the next round of the tournament. T&T will host St. Vincent on Tuesday, Guyana on Thursday and Haiti on Saturday in round robin play with the top two teams advancing to the final group stage of the competition, which will be held in Martinique later this month, with the Final held on December 5.

Marshall has made one appearance for his national team, debuting in a 1-0 loss to Jamaica earlier this month. He is one of four players that did not make the trip north, giving the club a travelling party of 20 players, though only 18 can dress on game day.

- Finally, Ricardo Salazar will be the referee on Sunday. The Galaxy were 1-1-0 with Salazar as the referee this season, beating Chivas USA 2-0 on April 1 and losing 2-0 to New York at home on September 24. In those two games, Salazar handed out seven yellow cards to the Galaxy and just one to the opposition while also giving them a penalty, which Juan Pablo Angel converted.

This Week Inside the Galaxy - It's All About the Playoffs

This Week Inside the Galaxy, we look back at those who took home the hardware in the Galaxy's annual end of season team awards while also looking ahead to tomorrow's postseason opener in Seattle.

Watch the show here...

If you're still looking for more, be sure to read all the latest from LAGalaxy.com and MLSSoccer.com, starting with the league’s official preview and positional breakdown.

Larry Morgan looks at the changes the Sounders have made since the two teams last met in July and LA’s depth in midfield.

Luis Bueno speaks with Bruce Arena about his team's dominance of Seattle this season as well as his options in central defense, speaks with Edson Buddle about his MVP-caliber season, looks at the playing surface at Qwest Field, the Sounders' last line of defense, goalkeeper Kasey Keller and perhaps their most exciting attacking option, Steve Zakuani.

Simon Borg looks at the current Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena and former Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid, who is now in charge of the Sounders. The two coaching greats who, despite ranking first and second in MLS history in postseason wins, have never met before in the playoffs.

Finally, Borg and the rest of the MLSSoccer.com staff in New York break down tomorrow’s game and give their predictions for Sunday.

Ready for the Sounders

The team heads to Seattle today after closing out a tough week of training ahead of Sunday's Halloween matchup against the Seattle Sounders.Check out what the guys had to say about the game and some photos from training this week...
Arena...


Donovan...

Beckham...


Berhalter...

Galaxy Raw - Set for Seattle

The intensity of training sessions this week have been ratcheted up a few notches this week as the Galaxy prepare for their first playoff game of the season at Qwest Field.

In the latest edition of Galaxy Raw, Eddie, Edson and Omar talk about this week's training sessions and the challenges that the Sounders will present.

Take a look...

Mugging for the Cameras

In addition to training for Sunday's game in Seattle, Landon and David have also been having some fun in front of the cameras of late.

The latest installment of Landon and Steve Nash's EA Sports Pro Player Challenge video hit the web, you can see it below...


While he was doing that, David was dropping in on Ellen and have some fun with a masseuse named Simo...


... while also spending some time On Air with Ryan Seacrest, which you can listen to below.

Look Back at Sunday's Supporters' Shield Clinching Win

David Beckham and Juninho scored on either side of halftime as the Galaxy knocked off FC Dallas 2-1 to clinch the Supporters' Shield and set up a Western Conference Semifinal Series matchup with Seattle.

Look back at the the highlights from that game and hear what the guys had to say in the locker room after the game.

Mark and Jim's Postgame View From The Booth

Here's what Galaxy announcers Jim Watson and Mark Rogondino had to say after last night's 2-1 win over FC Dallas that clinched the Supporters' Shield for LA and set up a meeting with Seattle in the Western Conference Semifinal Series.

Watch it here.

Galaxy Win Supporters' Shield

LA Galaxy 2, FC Dallas 1
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.

Scoring Summary:
FCD – Atiba Harris 4 (Eric Alexander 3) 24’
LA – David Beckham 2 (Landon Donovan 16) 33’
LA – Juninho 2 (Unassisted) 46’

Misconduct Summary:
FCD – Atiba Harris (Yellow Card) 45’
LA – Landon Donovan (Yellow Card) 58’

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts; Sean Franklin, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Todd Dunivant; Juninho, Dema Kovalenko, Juninho, David Beckham (Chris Klein 89’), Landon Donovan©; Mike Magee (Jovan Kirovski 84’), Edson Buddle (Eddie Lewis 90’).

Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, Leonardo, Alex Cazumba, Tristan Bowen.

FC Dallas: Dario Sala; Jackson (Ugo Ihemelu 75’), Zach Loyd, George John, Jair Benitez; Atiba Harris, Dax McCarty, Eric Alexander (Eric Avila 60’), Marvin Chavez; David Ferreira©, Jeff Cunningham (Brek Shea 67’).

Subs Not Used: Kevin Hartman, Daniel Hernandez, Bruno Guarda, Milton Rodriguez.

Notes:
• With the win, the Galaxy finish the season in first place in the Western Conference and all of MLS with an 18-7-5 record for 59 points. They finished three points ahead of second place Real Salt Lake, who entered the night level with LA with 56 points apiece, though RSL had a better goal difference.
• As a result, the Galaxy win the 2010 MLS Supporters’ Shield, which is given to the team that finish the season with the best regular season record in MLS. By winning the Supporters’ Shield, the Galaxy earn home field advantage throughout the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs and earn a spot in Group Play of the 2011/12 CONCACAF Champion League, bypassing the Preliminary Round, the stage at which LA were eliminated from the competition earlier this year.
• The Galaxy won both meetings against Dallas this season, handing them two of their four losses on the season. Dallas are one of seven teams that the Galaxy defeated twice this season.
• Bruce Arena made three changes to the team that lost 3-1 to Colorado last weekend. Todd Dunivant, Dema Kovalenko and Mike Magee all returned to the starting lineup, replacing Gregg Berhalter, Chris Birchall and Michael Stephens, none of whom dressed for the game. Berhalter and Birchall each missed the game through injury, while it was a coaches decision not to dress Stephens.
• Dunivant returned to the lineup after missing last weekend’s game with a right adductor strain, while Kovalenko had missed the last three games with the same injury.
• Chris Klein and Eddie Lewis each played the final regular season game of their MLS careers in the game, with each coming on as second half substitutes.
• David Beckham equalized for the Galaxy in the 33rd minute, scoring his second goal of the season. Beckham finished the season with two goals, matching the number that he scored in 2009.
• Landon Donovan assisted on Beckham’s goal, extending his career-high of 16 assists. His 16 assists were the most in MLS this season, three more than David Ferreira of FC Dallas.
• Donovan became the first Galaxy player in MLS history to lead the league in assists.
• His 16 assists were the most recorded by a Galaxy player in a single season since Mauricio Cienfuegos had a club record 17 assists in 1999.
• Juninho gave the Galaxy a 2-1 lead in the 46th minute with his second goal of the season.
• That goal was scored just 30 seconds after the start of the second half, making it the fastest goal that the Galaxy scored after halftime this season.
• Edson Buddle did not score in the game, meaning that he finished the season second in the race for the Budweiser Golden Boot. His 17 goals were one less than Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes, who had four goals in two games this week.
• Buddle’s best chance to score came in the 67th minute when his header off a David Beckham corner kick was saved by Dario Sala, diving to his left.
• This was the second time this season that the Galaxy came back to win after allowing the game’s opening goal. LA finished the season 2-6-2 when falling behind 1-0. They also beat D.C. United 2-1 on September 18 after trailing 1-0.
• Donovan Ricketts made three saves to earn his 18th win of the season.
• Ricketts finished the season with a 0.90 goals against average, which is the lowest single season GAA in Galaxy history, breaking Kevin Hartman’s former club record of 0.91, which was set in 1999. His 0.90 GAA was the third lowest in MLS this season.
• The Galaxy set a new club record by allowing just 26 goals in 30 games this season, breaking the former club record of 29 goals allowed during the 1999 season.
• By allowing Atiba Harris’ first half goal, the Galaxy have now allowed at least one goal in 10 consecutive regular season home games, dating back to May 15 against Toronto FC. The Galaxy are 5-4-1 in those 10 games and have allowed 18 goals.
• The Galaxy finished the season with a 9-4-2 record at home. LA recorded 29 of their 59 points on the season at home.
• The Galaxy are now 9-4-2 all-time in their regular season finales and 11-2-2 in their final regular season home game. This was the fourth time that LA ended their season against FC Dallas, and are now 3-0-1 in those four games, with all four being played in Southern California.
• The attendance for today’s game was 24,993.
• The Galaxy are back in action on Sunday, October 31 when they take on the Seattle Sounders FC in the First Leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Series. That game, which will be shown live on ESPN2, will be played at Qwest Field and kicks off at 5 p.m. (PT). The Galaxy will then host the second and final leg of the Series at The Home Depot Center on Sunday, November 7. That game kicks off at 6 p.m. and can also be seen live on ESPN.
• For more about today’s game, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.

All to Play For

The 2010 MLS regular season draws to a close this evening at The Home Depot Center as the Galaxy host FC Dallas at The Home Depot Center. There is everything to play for tonight with the Supporters' Shield and Golden Boot both on the line and a pair of veterans, Chris Klein and Eddie Lewis, playing the final regular season game of their lengthy and distinguished careers.

The Galaxy need a win or a draw to claim their third Supporters' Shield and set up a postseason date with the Seattle Sounders, while a loss would see the Galaxy finish second and play this same FC Dallas squad next week when the postseason gets under way. With that in mind, Bruce Arena makes four changes to his team in that pursuit, bringing A.J. DeLaGarza, Todd Dunivant, Dema Kovalenko and Mike Magee back into the team.

Here is the complete Galaxy squad...

-------------Buddle-------------Magee----------------

Donovan--------------Juninho-----------------Beckham

---------------------Kovalenko--------------------------

Dunivant------Gonzalez-------DeLaGarza-------Franklin

----------------------Ricketts----------------------------

Subs: Saunders, Leonardo, Alex Cazumba, Klein, Lewis, Kirovski, Bowen.

And here is how FC Dallas, who have lost just three times all season, including once to the Galaxy back in May, will line up.

----------------------Cunningham------------------------

----------------------Ferreira----------------------------

Chavez--------------------------------------------Harris

---------------Alexander-------McCarty------------------

Benitez--------John------------Loyd--------------Jackson

-----------------------Sala--------------------------------

Subs: Hartman, Ihemelu, Hernandez, Guarda, Shea, Rodriguez

This Week Inside the Galaxy - Season Finale

Look ahead to tomorrow evening's season finale against FC Dallas and learn a bit more about the podiums that have been positioned in front of the Riot Squad and ACB.

All that and more, This Week Inside the Galaxy.

David and Landon Talk FC Dallas

The LA Galaxy's David Beckham and Landon Donovan talked with the media after Friday's training session at The Home Depot Center. While there was plenty to talk about, both player their desire to come out victorious against FC Dallas in Sunday's regular season finale.

"We think that Salt Lake is going to win in Colorado and we have to do the same" in order to win the Supporters' Shield. In some ways it would have been nice to have a break but I think the more we think about it's good that we have some pressure going into this game to get us ready for the playoffs," said the team captain.

"This is a great franchise to be involve with and all the players know that, so we want to repay the owners and the fans with a good win this weekend and then do well in the playoffs," added Beckham.

Click here to read more about the game: League preview

Here's more of what Daivd and Landon had to say:

Landon...

David...

Turning Our Attention To Sunday's Regular Season Finale

It's almost as if the skies felt our pain from last Saturday's loss to Colorado.

The last three days the Galaxy has trained under overcast conditions and grey skies, with a little light rain mixed in. Or, as the purist might say, perfect weather for football.

After training on Thursday, we caught up with Bruce Arena, Edson Buddle, Todd Dunivant to talk about Sunday's upcoming game against FC Dallas-- the season finale offers up many interesting story lines as much is at stake.


Arena...

Buddle...

Berhalter...

Dunivant...


We also listened in to Chris Klein and Eddie Lewis talk about their decision to retire on Tuesday, here's what they had to say.

Enjoy!

Klein...

Lewis...

Klein and Lewis Discuss Pending Retirements

Chris Klein and Eddie Lewis still have one regular season game left in 2010 as well as the upcoming MLS Cup Playoffs. But on the heels of their decision to formally announce their retirements earlier today, we caught up with the veteran duo to look back at their careers and reminisce about some of the favorite memories from their time in the sport.

Here is what they had to say...

LA Galaxy Are Heading Back To Australia On Nov. 27

The LA Galaxy announced today that the club will play Newcastle United Jets FC of the Hyundai A-League in an international friendly on Saturday, November 27 at EnergyAustralia Stadium in Newcastle, Australia. This will be the first-ever game between the Galaxy and Jets.

“We are very excited to be returning to Australia, the site of one of our most memorable postseason matches, to play a friendly against Newcastle United Jets FC,” LA Galaxy President of Business Operations Tom Payne said. “Newcastle are a club with a long tradition of success in the Hyundai A-League and are making great strides at strengthening their ties to the local community. We believe that this match will help the Jets further those ties while also providing all of their fans in the Hunter Region with memories that will last a lifetime.”

The LA Galaxy are presented by Herbalife, a global network marketing company that sells weight-management, nutrition, and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife will also be an official sponsor of the match between the Galaxy and Newcastle.

To read the full press release click here.

Look Back at Saturday's 3-1 Loss to Colorado

Look back one last time at all of the highs and lows from Saturday's 3-1 loss to the Rapids with full highlights and reactions from inside the Galaxy locker room.



Bruce Arena's team will now need to equal or match Real Salt Lake's result this weekend in order to claim their third Supporters' Shield and first since 2002. RSL travel to Colorado on Saturday to end their regular season, while the Galaxy host FC Dallas on Sunday evening at 5 p.m.

Postgame Reaction to Colorado Defeat

Here is what Edson Buddle had to say on the field after the game...

And here is more from the locker rooms of both teams...

LA Galaxy Head Coach Bruce Arena

On the result:
“I didn’t think we played a bad game tonight, but we were certainly punished for our mistakes. Their first goal got them back into the game a little bit, and gave them a swing of momentum. I thought we played quite well up until that point. The second goal we have two defenders who don’t make the play. Give Conor credit. The third goal was a good goal. I thought, on the night, at times we moved the ball well, we created some decent chances. Our final pass, our cross in the second half wasn’t there when we needed it. The couple of chances we had when we had a good look at the goal, we didn’t take well. We got punished for our mistakes tonight, but I thought our guys played hard and at times played well. Give Colorado credit. They played well.”

On the play of Gregg Berhalter:
“He was obviously a little bit rusty. He got tired. I thought at times in the first half he played well and had the team organized, but it’s natural that he isn’t going to have the kind of match fitness we want him to have at this point. His layoff was pretty long.”

On Chris Birchall’s injury:
“It was a bad tackle. I don’t know exactly what the injury is, but he is a tough guy and he had to come off. I don’t know if it is just a contusion or a nerve or a muscle. I don’t know.”

On the play of David Beckham:
“He’s getting better. He was pretty sharp at times throughout the night. Obviously his fitness needs a little bit more work, but he is getting better each week.”

LA Galaxy Forward Landon Donovan

On the result:
“The result was bad. The performance actually wasn’t bad. Until they scored, I thought we played really well. The second half, we dominated aside from a couple of plays. We certainly didn’t get any help from the officiating. We are bummed out, but we still control our own destiny and next week means everything.”

On what the team needs to improve on ahead of next week’s game against FC Dallas:
“We need to clean up some things during the week and use next weekend as an opportunity to continue to get better.”

On their second goal:
“We talked all week about marking them in front of the goal, and on the second goal, we did a poor job, but to be fair to us, they got a lucky goal that turned the game. I think we, on a few plays, weren’t good enough on both ends of the field.”

On the play of Colorado:
“They didn’t play very well tonight, but they were good with their chances. I don’t know how many blocks, saves, deflections they had that helped them, but they made all the little plays that make a big difference.”

On failing to win the Supporters’ Shield tonight:
“We wanted to celebrate tonight. We wanted to have next week to relax a little bit. But maybe it will keep us sharp, keeping us going and we don’t have the ability to rest and relax, we have to keep going.”

On adjusting to having David Beckham back:
“I think getting David back in has been a little difficult. We have to adjust, and I think tonight, performance wise, is the best we have played together. It is still going to take time. Soccer at any level comes down to making plays and tonight they made the plays and we didn’t. In the playoffs, you have to do that.”

On the play of David Beckham:
“David looked good tonight. He looked more active, like he is getting his legs back. I don’t think he is at 100 percent yet, but he played well tonight.”

LA Galaxy Midfielder Chris Birchall

On next week’s game:
“With Salt Lake winning tonight, it put Dallas out of winning the whole thing, but they will still be coming here with confidence. They want to win the last game before the playoffs, but we know if we win the last game, we win the Supporters’ Shield. We just have to go out and be confident and try to win the game.”

On tonight’s result:
“We expected to win the game tonight, but it doesn’t really happen the way you expect things to go. We played well at parts, but after they were 2-1 up and especially after they got the third goal, it was difficult and they sat back and it is hard to get back in the game when you are playing a team with 11 men behind the ball. Hopefully, we can get a good result on Sunday.”

LA Galaxy Defender Sean Franklin:

On the own goal:
“I tried to clear it. I got a foot to it and it hit Edson in the shoulder and that’s just unlucky for us. It was just unlucky. We know that’s not a goal that they earned. It’s not a play that they beat us on. It is a mistake that happens, but we knew it wasn’t going to cost us the game.”

On the play of Colorado:
“They capitalized on our mistakes. We had bad turnovers in certain spots of the field and they finished off their chances. We had a chance to win the Shield tonight and we didn’t do that. We have to come out next week against Dallas and get three points.”

LA Galaxy Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts

On winning the Supporters’ Shield:
“It would be nice to win the Supporters’ Shield, but if we win the Supporters’ Shield and lose MLS Cup, I wouldn’t like that.”

LA Galaxy Defender Omar Gonzalez

On the loss:
“It is a terrible feeling to lose at home. We came into the game expecting to win the game and the Supporters’ Shield, but it didn’t happen tonight. Colorado came out strong tonight, they came out with a lot of heart. I thought we started the first half pretty good. We scored first and then we started getting unlucky, the own goal. I thought their two forwards did well to connect well for the second goal. Then, they scored a third and we got a bunch of chances and were unlucky to not score on one of those. I thought we fought hard the whole way through.”

On the play of Gregg Berhalter:
“It is always great having Gregg back there. I thought he did well when he as in. His fitness is getting back and we will see how he does next week. I am looking forward to it.”

LA Galaxy Midfielder David Beckham

On the play of Colorado…
“I think they played well. We knew that they were just going to be a good team. We knew that they were coming in for a win or at least a draw because we knew that’s all they needed. We probably went too early in the game, but then we couldn’t get that second goal. You know, their first goal was a bit of luck. We had many chances to win the game and bring the game back. We were up against a good team.”

On the own goal…
“Obviously, when you start so well it’s disappointing because we were in control of the game, and they get the lucky goal. Not taking anything away from Colorado because they were good team tonight.”

On his fitness…
“Tonight was probably the best game since I’ve come back. Leg felt good, I felt ready so I enjoyed tonight. It’s disappointing. It’s good to get 90 minutes as well. It’s disappointing not to win it. It’s in our own hands. If we win next week, we are top of the [league].”

LA Galaxy Defender Gregg Berhalter

On tonight’s game:
“Obviously I am disappointed with the loss but I felt my fitness was alright and better than expected.”

On the game:
“We were in absolute control of the game, playing very well. Then that fluke goal comes. I think that was the first time that they were actually in our 18 and they scored on an own goal that touched two of our players before going in which rarely ever happens and it changed the game. Our heads when down a bit, we were still dominating and then they get another chance and they score and we are down 2-1 all of a sudden out of nowhere.”

On being in the starting XI:
“It was great. It felt great. It was just the little things: the battle of the game, the running and the competition it felt good.”

LA Galaxy Forward Edson Buddle

On the Rapids:
“I think Colorado did a good job. I think they sat back and countered pretty well and finished their chances. I think that is what they did to be successful tonight.”

On Omar Cummings:
“He finds the space well early and when they win the ball he finds an open space and credit to the midfield for finding him early. You see a lot of fast players and they really can’t control themselves but he is able to possess the ball at high speed and if all things are going right he finds the back of the net.”

On the own goal:
“I saw Sean try to clear the ball. I was running up the field and the ball hit me and went the other direction.”

Colorado Rapids Head Coach Gary Smith

On the match:
“Well, I am obviously delighted that we clinched a playoff spot. After a very bright start from the Galaxy, I thought we got ourselves back in the game nicely. We settled down and got ourselves a fortuitous goal early on, but from that point on, I thought we created some of the clearer opportunities in the game. I am very pleased with pretty much everybody in the group. It was a very determined and passionate display.”

On the play of Omar Cummings:
“He is such an exciting lad. I think it was the second goal when he delivered a wonderful pass to Conor [Casey]. He is very, very difficult to deal with. I thought he did fabulously for his own goal. He is just such an exciting individual and he is difficult to handle. He takes a lot of emphasis from other players to allow them to perform. Overall, I thought he was terrific.”

On the Galaxy’s own goal:
“I think it makes a big difference. Scoring goals at the right time raises morale and maybe shifts momentum slightly. There is no doubt that the Galaxy started very brightly, and while I thought the goal was fortuitous, it took a nasty deflection off of Drew [Moor], goals make a difference. To get back in the game that quickly gave the guys a much better feel and a bit of confidence and gave them a little more time to settle into the game. Going in at the break up 2-1, we were able to really be positive about the second period. The guys relaxed a little bit more. We had two or three other very good chances. I thought we were worthy winners.”

On coming back to win the game:
“I believe it is the first time in four years that we have come from behind to win a game. I am told that it is 68 games that we have conceded first and not come back to win a game. That is a long time. To be able to do it tonight, here, against a very good side, just wraps up a very nice night for us.”

On winning three straight times against the Galaxy at The Home Depot Center:
“It is a very, very tough place to come and play. Their record shows that they are a very good side, and are in a very good position to win the Supporters’ Shield. On the night, we played well, and goals at the right time make a big difference to the group, and tonight, it made a big difference to us. I can’t give you a reason why we have beat them three times here and got beat by [the Galaxy] at home 1-0. It doesn’t make any sense really, but that is sport and some of our guys must enjoy coming here.”

Colorado Rapids Midfielder Pablo Mastroeni

On the result:
“We’re building on what we’ve done all season and coming on the road and getting the results and going home and finishing off what we started at the beginning of the year. Our mindset is on the game next weekend. We’ll take it one game at a time.”

On securing a playoff spot tonight:
“Anything can happen in the playoffs, Salt Lake proved it last year, they were the eighth seed. You need to be in good form, you need to be playing and you need a lot of luck as well. You need the ball to bounce your way at the right time. More importantly, you have to believe it what you are doing and I think this team has a lot of that.”

On the play of the team this year:
“We just have a group of guys that all believe in the system, believe in what we’re doing and we work hard for each other and that says a lot about an MLS team. That’s pretty much the focus of becoming a good MLS team is the togetherness and fighting for each other and I think that’s what we have in this locker room.”

On the play of the Rapids midfield tonight:
“It was a battle out there. We had a diamond midfield and they had a diamond midfield,
so the real play for us was to find Omar peeling off and finding Conor’s feet and playing off of him. Obviously that’s hard when you have Berhalter and Gonzalez back there. Our best chances came from second runs out of the midfield and finding Omar. There’s never an easy day in the midfield, it’s always a battle.”

Colorado Rapids Forward Conor Casey

On making the playoffs:
“It feels great to make the playoffs, we worked hard all year and everyone’s excited. We’ve got a new life and we’re going to the playoffs. Tonight was back and forth. We took our chances well and defended well.”

On winning tonight’s game:
“More important than that we have another game we want to win. We feel good about ourselves, we keep improving and we’ve been playing well over the past couple months and we just want to keep that momentum going.

Colorado Rapids Forward Omar Cummings

On making the playoffs:
“We made the playoffs and that’s everything for me. My fourth season, first time. I’m just so happy to make the playoffs. Coming out and going down to LA and then to come back and win 3-1, it think it’s tremendous.”

On the result:
“I think we were playing good balls when we got a chance too and even were defending a lot of times. When we got our chances, we made the best of them. Our first job was to make the playoffs and then we’ll look at whoever we play. We’ll take whoever we get.”

Quest for the Supporters' Shield to go Down to the Final Day of the Season, Galaxy Lose 3-1 to Colorado

LA Galaxy 1, Colorado Rapids 3
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Home Depot Center – Carson, Calif.

Scoring Summary:
LA – Edson Buddle 17 (Chris Birchall 2, Landon Donovan 15) 9’
COL – Own Goal (Edson Buddle) 18’
COL – Conor Casey 12 (Omar Cummings 3, Pablo Mastroeni 3) 30’
COL – Omar Cummings 13 (Conor Casey 6) 67’

Misconduct Summary:
COL – Wells Thompson (Yellow Card) 24’
COL – Conor Casey (Yellow Card) 35’

Lineups:
LA Galaxy: Donovan Ricketts; Sean Franklin, Gregg Berhalter (Alex Cazumba 73’), Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza; Juninho, Chris Birchall (Eddie Lewis 42’), David Beckham, Michael Stephens (Mike Magee 76’); Landon Donovan©, Edson Buddle.

Subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, Leonardo, Jovan Kirovski, Bryan Jordan.

Colorado Rapids: Matt Pickens; Kosuke Kimura, Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Wells Thompson; Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni© (Scott Palguta 77’), Brian Mullan, Jamie Smith; Conor Casey, Omar Cummings (Macoumba Kandji 83’).

Subs Not Used: Ian Joyce, Danny Earls, Ross LaBauex, Andre Akpan, Claudio Lopez.

Notes:
• Despite the loss, the Galaxy remain in first place in the Western Conference and all of MLS with a 17-7-5 record for 56 points. They are now one point ahead of Real Salt Lake, who defeated FC Dallas 2-0 earlier in the day.
• With those results, the Galaxy now need either a win or a result equal to that of Real Salt Lake in their season finale to win the Supporters’ Shield. RSL play away to Colorado on Saturday, while the Galaxy host FC Dallas on Sunday.
• Even with the loss, the Galaxy are assured of a top two finish in the Western Conference, meaning that they will open the postseason on the road in the first leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Series. The date of that game and LA’s opponent in it have not been determined.
• With the loss, the Galaxy’s quest to become the third team in MLS history to reach 60 points is over. The best LA can now do is 59 points.
• Bruce Arena made one change to the team that beat Philadelphia 1-0 at PPL Park last Thursday. Gregg Berhalter returned to the starting lineup for the first time since August 14, replacing Todd Dunivant, who missed the game because of a right adductor strain. With Berhalter returning, A.J. DeLaGarza moved to left back, with Berhalter occupying a spot in central defense next to Omar Gonzalez.
• Berhalter had missed eight straight games with a virus and a neck strain. He played 76 minutes before being replaced by Alex Cazumba.
• In addition to Dunivant, Dema Kovalenko also missed the game through injury, with Kovalenko missing his third straight game as the result of a right adductor strain. Kovalenko returned to full training this week, was not in the 18-man squad.
• This was the first time this season that the Galaxy scored the game’s opening goal but trailed going into the half.
• This was the first time this season that the Galaxy did not take the full three points when scoring the game’s opening goal. They are now 16-1-0 when scoring first.
• Edson Buddle gave the Galaxy the lead in the 9th minute with his league-best 17h goal of the season.
• Buddle is now three goals ahead of San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski in the race for the 2010 MLS Golden Boot. Wondolowski has 14 goals with two games remaining this season.
• His 17 goals are 10 more than his closest competition on the Galaxy, Landon Donovan, who has seven goals this season. The biggest gap between the Galaxy’s two top goalscorers was in 2002, when Carlos Ruiz led the team with 24 goals and Alexi Lalas was second with four.
• Buddle has now scored the game’s opening goal in three straight Galaxy games, opening the scoring against Chivas USA on October 3 and Philadelphia on October 7 as well as tonight.
• The goal was the 90th of Buddle’s MLS career, making him the sixth player in league history to score 90 or more regular season goals. He joins Jeff Cunningham (132), Jaime Moreno (132), Ante Razov (114), Jason Kreis (108), Landon Donovan (103) and Taylor Twellman (101) as the seventh player to achieve the feat.
• Landon Donovan collected his 15th assist of the season on the goal, becoming the first Galaxy player since Mauricio Cienfuegos had a club record 17 assists in 1999 to record 15 or more assists in a season.
• Chris Birchall also assisted on the goal for his second assist of the season and his first since the 10th minute of a 2-0 win at Columbus on May 29.
• The Rapids tied the score on an Edson Buddle own goal in the 18th minute. Buddle joined Chris Albright as the only two players in Galaxy history to score a goal and an own goal in the same game. Albright did so in a 5-2 win at D.C. United on August 26, 2006, scoring a ninth minute own goal before giving LA a 2-1 lead in the 47th minute.
• The Galaxy have now allowed at least one goal in nine consecutive regular season home games, dating back to May 15 against Toronto FC. The Galaxy are 4-4-1 in those nine games and have allowed 17 goals, including two or more five times.
• The three goals allowed by LA tie a season high that was set on August 1 in a 3-2 loss to Chicago.
• This was just the fourth time this season that the Galaxy lost by more than one goal, with three of those coming at home.
• Chris Birchall left the game in the 42nd minute with a left calf contusion. He was replaced by Eddie Lewis.
• Juninho was not booked in the game, meaning that he is eligible to play in the Galaxy’s season finale at home against FC Dallas on October 24. He remains one caution away from a mandatory one game suspension for yellow card accumulation. If he is booked in the season finale, he would not miss LA’s first postseason game, but rather his next regular season game.
• Edson Buddle had two goals, one on either side of halftime, ruled out for being offside.
• The attendance for today’s game was a sellout crowd of 27,000. This was the Galaxy’s second consecutive home sellout.
• The Galaxy are back in action on Sunday, October 24 when they host FC Dallas in the regular season finale at The Home Depot Center. That game kicks off at 5 p.m. (PT) and can be seen live on FS West starting with the Galaxy Live pregame show at 4:30 p.m.
• For more about today’s game, please visit www.lagalaxy.com.

Galaxy Aim for Supporters' Shield Tonight Against Colorado

Nearly seven months after the 2010 MLS season began, the LA Galaxy take to the field in their penultimate game of the season on the precipise of their first Supporters' Shield title in eight years. Needing a win or possibly even a draw given other results, the Galaxy host the Colorado Rapids tonight in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd at The Home Depot Center.

Bruce Arena makes one change to the team that beat Philadelphia 1-0 last Thursday, with Gregg Berhalter returning to central defense for the first time since August 14. His return moves A.J. DeLaGarza to left back, where he replaces Todd Dunivant, who sits this one out with a right adductor strain.

Here is the complete Galaxy lineup...

-------------Donovan------Buddle-------------

Stephens------------Beckham----------Birchall

---------------------Juninho------------------

DeLaGarza---Gonzalez---Berhalter---Franklin

---------------------Ricketts------------------

Subs: Saunders, Leonardo, Cazumba, Lewis, Kirovski, Jordan, Magee

And here is how the visiting Colorado Rapids, who clinched their first postseason berth since 2006 earlier today, will lineup.

-------------Casey--------Cummings-----------

Smith------------------------------------Mullan

----------Larentowicz-----Mastroeni------------

Thompson-----Moor------Wynne---------Kimura

---------------------Pickens----------------------

Subs: Joyce, Earls, Palguta, Labaux, Akpan, Lopez, Kandji

Edson Buddle on World Football Daily

Edson Buddle was a guest this morning on World Football Daily with Steven Cohen and Kenny Hassan. The Galaxy forward chatted about his unbelieveable 2010 and his team's push for the Supporters' Shield.

Take a listen...

This Week Inside the Galaxy - Supporters' Shield Special

With just two games remaining on the schedule, the Galaxy find themselves on the verge of their first Supporters' Shield in eight years. A win on Saturday will seal the best record in the league for LA and give them their third Supporters' Shield, joining the ones that they won in 1998 and 2002.

In the latest episode of This Week Inside the Galaxy, we catch up with a number of guy to look ahead to Saturday's game with the Rapids and see just how important it is to the guys to win the Shield.

Watch and enjoy...

Landon Meets Nash - Part 2

The continuing saga of the Galaxy captain spending some quality time with two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash ahead of the EA SPORTS Pro Player Challenge.

It isn't pretty.

Off and Running

Training continued this week at The Home Depot Center, with the Galaxy staunchly focused on getting a win this weekend to clinch their first Supporters' Shield title since 2002.

To spice up their typical post-training fitness work and get the competitive juices flowing, the guys had a bit of a relay race after training on Tuesday and that is the focus of this week's Galaxy Raw.

Meet Juninho Today in Los Angeles

One of the Galaxy's breakout stars this season, Juninho has quickly become a favorite of the club's supporters here at The Home Depot Center.

Now is your chance to meet the Galaxy's young Brazilian midfielder as he stops by the Pollo Campero location at 1890 W. Slauson Ave. in Los Angeles. This is also your chance to turn in those coupons for free chicken that Pollo Campero has been giving out for home shutouts this season. Or if you have used those already, try some of the great deals that the restaurant will be putting on during Juninhho's visit.

Juninho will be there from 4:30 until 6 p.m., signing autographs, taking photos with fan and giving away tickets to this weekend's game against the Rapids. Make sure to stop by and say hello!

Ricketts and Buddle Up for Awards

Goal of the Week and Save of the Week nominees have been unveiled and once again the Galaxy have one for each award.

Donovan Ricketts diving save of Sebastien Le Toux's clever back heel is up for the NAPA Save of the Week award, while Buddle's first half header is up for the AT&T Goal of the Week award.

Click here to see all of the Save of the Week nominees and to vote for Donovan and then click here to see all of the Goal of the Week nominees and to vote for Edson.

Rapid Preparations, Part II

We felt one post wasn't enough, so we took a second look at our camera and realized we had some extra shots from the last two days.

We were going to delete them at first, but on second thought decided to post them here for you guys.

Enjoy!

Rapid Preparations

After playing a game on Thursday and flying back to LA on Friday, the Galaxy were back at The Home Depot Center training fields the last two days getting ready for Saturday's game against the Colorado Rapids.

A win against Colorado will clinch Supporters' Shield, which goes to the team with the best regular season record, and gives the Galaxy home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Additionally, by winning the Supporters' Shield, the Galaxy would receive an automatic berth into Group Play of next year's CONCACAF Champions League, as opposed to having to play a pair of Preliminary Round games like they did this season.

The Galaxy have claimed the Supporters' Shield two times in their history, 1998 and 2002.

For a more detailed breakdown of how the Galaxy can clinch all of the above, as well as other notes about the club, take a look at the Weekly Update.

After the sessions, we caught up with Bruce and a few of the players to recap last Thursdays win in Philly and look ahead to Saturday's game here at The Home Depot Center.

Here's what they had to say...

Bruce Arena...

Omar Gonzalez...

Sean Franklin...

Chris Birchall...

Below are a few choice action shots from the training sessions...