Los Angeles Galaxy Face CONCACAF Battle With Club Motagua

In a busy week for the Los Angeles Galaxy, they play host to a CONCACAF match with Club Motagua of Honduras. The Galaxy turned up the midseason heat, signing Irish International Robbie Keane. He won't be available for tonight's match, but the usual suspects of David Beckham and Landon Donovan prepare to open up a second straight year of CONCACAF Champion's League play.

The Galaxy, who are 6-5-5 all time in all versions of the competition, are the last MLS team to hoist the champions cup. That year they hosted CD Olimpia in the LA Coliseum, and defeated them 3-2 to take the cup. This year, they'll have to get out of a group stage, featuring Club Motagua, L.D. Alajuelense, and Monarcas Morelia. 

The Honduran club the Galaxy host tonight is the second most successful Honduran football club outside of CD Olimpia. It's the second time the Galaxy will face Motagua, the first time was in the 2003 CONCACAF Champion's Cup round of 16. The Galaxy won 3-2 on aggregate, with the home leg played at Titan Stadium in Fullerton. The Galaxy are 2-0-2 all time in CONCACAF play against teams from Honduras. 

The match will feature familiar faces for Galaxy fans, especially Pando Ramirez, who helped the Galaxy win MLS Cup 2005. He only had one goal and one assist in 24 regular season games before tallying the game winner at Puzza Hut park to defeat the New England Revolution lead by Clint Dempsey. 

Motagua also features Amado Guevara, Ivan Guerrero, and Milton Reyes, all with MLS experience. Bruce Arena has faced Motagua manager Ramon Maradiaga four times while with the US Men's National Team. Arena has a 2-1-1 record against Maradiaga.