The Los Angeles Galaxy will play the Houston Dynamo in Houston in a rematch of the 2011 MLS Cup Final on May 26. The Galaxy won the MLS Cup over the Dynamo 1-0 on a Landon Donovan goal.
Our side will not have Robbie Keane and Donovan due to international duty. Houston's Geoff Cameron is also out for international duty. Both teams are relatively healthy but cards will have an impact on the Galaxy. Hector Jimenez is suspended for a red card for a studs up challenge last match. David Beckham is one yellow card away from a suspension so he'll need to be careful.
This weekend's match will be the only meeting between the teams this season. The series is as close as you could want it. The Galaxy lead the all-time series with six wins to five losses. Four of the matches have ended in a draw. At Houston, L.A. and Houston both have three wins while two matches have been drawn. Both teams are off their form from last season and are struggling to score goals. Houston is in 7th place in the Eastern Conference and the Galaxy are in 9th place in the Western Conference. Neither team has won a match this season after trailing at halftime so an early goal could make the difference in the game.
The Galaxy haven't won in six matches but had signs of a turnaround last match when they were up 2-0 before conceding three late goals in a loss. The Dynamo have earned at least a point in each of their last three matches and are unbeaten in two matches at their new venue.
If the Galaxy can come out focused as they did against the Earthquakes on Wednesday, they should have a good shot to get a result. The loss of Keane and Donovan did not show up during the first 73 minutes of the match. However, playing a man down and with another new defensive lineup did our side in.
A win against Houston wouldn't solve all of the Galaxy's problems but I'm ready to see an L.A. victory after a month of frustration.
More from Patrick Johnston:
Are we ready to imagine the Los Angeles Galaxy without Landon Donovan?
Galaxy blow lead, lose to Earthquakes in stoppage time
Galaxy fall to No. 17 in Week 11 MLS Power Rankings
Source:
Stats and game information from MLS Soccer.com
