The LA Galaxy welcome Toronto FC to The Home Depot Center on Saturday night with an eye towards the playoffs. With five games left in the regular season, LA can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Toronto.
In addition to securing a spot in the playoffs, the Galaxy are looking to improve their positioning as the postseason draws near. LA is currently in third place in the Western Conference standings, tied with Real Salt Lake on 46 points but ahead on goals. A win on Saturday could push the Galaxy into second place as they are currently two points behind Seattle Sounders FC.
David Beckham is expected to miss his third consecutive match with a left ankle sprain, but the Galaxy hope that his absence will be tempered by their captain Landon Donovan returning to full fitness after a hamstring injury has limited him in the last month.
The two teams have not met since March and this will be the first time that they face each other in MLS play in 2012. The first two meetings of the season came in a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal that Toronto took 4-3 on aggregate. Striker Ryan Johnson torched LA in the two earlier meetings; he was involved in three of the club's four goals against the Galaxy in March.
The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and is being broadcast on KDOC in the Los Angeles area. The game can also be seen on a Spanish-language broadcast on KWHY.
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