When the Los Angeles Galaxy host the Vancouver Whitecaps tonight, it'll be one of four major sporting events taking place within the city and county of Los Angeles. While USC v Syracuse might grab all the New York ex-Pats, and UCLA v. Texas has the national TV audience, it's the Galaxy who are have the most important match of the night. Every point counts as the Galaxy look to put distance between themselves and their competitors for the Supporters Shield.
The Galaxy clinched a post-season berth with a 1-0 victory over Colorado last week. The only goal of the match came at at the 36' when Chad Barrett received the ball in the center of the pitch, slipped the ball forward to Sean Franklin, who found Landon Donovan unmarked on the left side of the box. Donovan hammered the ball inside the far post.
The Whitecaps FC are still mathematically alive for a post-season spot in their inaugural season. They got a 1-1 result in New York for their last result. Vancouver took the lead in the 23rd minute. Davide Chiumiento chipped the ball up with his left foot, spun, and then hammered a dipping volley with his right foot into the corner of the goal. Rafa Marguez and Juan Agudelo worked to score the equalizer with the Red Bulls down a man.
In the first ever meeting between these two clubs in Vancouver back in July, the Galaxy scored four goals in half an hour. It took until the 61' mark for Landon Donovan to break through, but once the dam cracked it poured. Donovan ended up with the brace, with Franklin and Adam Cristman also contributing goals.
David Beckham and Landon Donovan are both on yellow card warning, and will be suspended after their next card. Coming off their first defeat this year in CONCACAF Champions League play, expect the LA Galaxy to come out looking for an easy victory to cleanse the pallet. David Beckham didn't travel with the team to Mexico, neither did Juninho. Both are listed as questionable, Beckham with back spasms and Juninho with a hamstring strain.