The Los Angeles Galaxy, for the second straight year, are hosting the MLS Western Conference Final. For a second straight year, the road to the title match goes through a team from Texas. Real Salt Lake, the Galaxy's opponent in last year's MLS Cup are out, so FC Dallas, the team the Galaxy beat to clinch the Supporter's Shield, are the only team standing between the Galaxy and a second straight MLS Cup Final appearance.
Last year's Supporter's Shield winner Columbus Crew, as well as New York Red Bulls both lost their series over the weekend, so both of the Conference Finals will be composed entirely of teams from the Western Conference. As a result, should the Galaxy make it through, the MLS Cup Final in Toronto will be between two teams west of the Rocky mountains. First things first however, as the Galaxy get ready to face Dallas, 6:00pm at Home Depot Center and broadcast on ESPN2.
The Galaxy were victorious in both their meetings with FC Dallas this year. The first match in Dallas was a 1-0 affair, with Mike Magee scoring the only goal at Pizza Hut Park. The second match at Home Depot Center was 2-1 on a David Beckham free kick and a Juninho strike just after half time.
Should Sunday's match be drawn at the end of 90 mins, there will be two 15 min halves of extra time. Should that not produce a winner, the match goes to penalty kicks. Last year, Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo were tied 0-0 at the end of regular time, and it wasn't until a Gregg Berhalter strike in the 103rd minute that someone broke through. David Beckham sealed the match with a penalty kick in the 109th minute as the Galaxy emerged victorious 2-0.