RSL set out to remain veritable Galaxy destroyers

If all goes well, in a week, we'll be talking about our six points garnered from two big games: One against a team that's ostensibly a "big club" in the league and another that's certainly less big but is doing considerably better. Taking on the Galaxy and the 'Quakes means we'll have played three California clubs in 8 days. That's a bit weird, isn't it? (It's not really that weird.)

And with 7 of the next 9 at home, why, we could well be sitting pretty in the race for the Shield. Of course, that also means we'll have a disproportionate number of away matches later on, and we'll have to be in good form and mental shape to take care of those. But let's look to tomorrow first. The rest can come later.

The Galaxy are coming in a bit on the injured side. Edson Buddle is out, as are Adam Cristman and Omar Gonzalez. No surprises there. Cristman's on the disabled list after suffering his second concussion of the season, Omar Gonzalez suffered a high-profile injury in the off-season, and Edson Buddle's had knee surgery. That Leonardo chap is out, too. As are a couple other players I don't much know. They're walking a bit wounded, the Galaxy, and it's showed in their standings. Surely they are not naturally this bad — are they? But it's clearly that having some efficient attackers will not solve any problems on the defensive side.

More important than their injuries are our injuries. We're still out Chris Schuler, but Leone Cruz has apparently graduated from the list, recovering from injury. Sebastian Velasquez picked up a case of turf toe, while Luis Gil has moved up from "out" (and still making the bench somehow) to "questionable," where Messr Velasquez is sitting. Javier Morales and Jamison Olave are both listed as probable, with Olave continuing to carry a calf strain (the same one that saw him substituted out in a rather precautionary measure.)

Tactically, we'll need to be as aware as ever. The side with the worst table position in the West — the Galaxy, of course — are not much slouches. If they're given much time on the ball, they can still produce. We know this. And after the manner of our victory to open the season, well, we're going to have to be on the lookout for a team devoted to getting a bit of pride back. Not just because of the result against us — we're always likely to beat these chaps — but because they've wholly and utterly underperformed in the first third of the season.

As usual, we'll have to watch out for those glory-hounding long balls from good old Dave Beckham. Perhaps we can send Jonny Steele out in the second half on a mission… no, no. That's inappropriate. However, if you were to ask me which player most resembled the Englishman's style of play, I'd point to Jonny Steele without hesitation. Mostly in attack — they both find space well and they both can find their teammates with brilliant long passes. Of course, I know who I'd rather have. Here's a hint: We wouldn't have to make a trade to get him, because he's already on our team.

We'll also have to look out for the darting runs from that Donovan fellow. Seems a nice guy, but if there's a player more fatigued, I've not seen him. OK, really, I have, but you know, he's played a lot of games in the last year and he might be lacking in consistent motivation. It's a shame for a player in his physical peak, but I'd maintain that letting him off on loan was fundamental mismanagement by Brucey.

What do we have going for us, though? Enough about the Galaxy. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if we rolled out the same starting lineup we used to smash Chivas, really. Perhaps even with similar substitution patterns. We'll be looking to take a well-balanced approach, paying the proper attention on defense (a bit more than we might have done against Chivas) and bursting forward with pace and verve when we get the opportunity. It's not so different than we play on any given day, but it's the specifics that, as usual, make the difference. I'll talk more about that tomorrow.

'Til then!