MLS Playoffs: LA Galaxy Get Set For Chivas USA

OS ANGELES, Calif. The Los Angeles Galaxy are headed to the playoffs for the first time in four years and face their city rivals, Chivas USA, in the first round.

Though the teams meet in heated derby matches every year, they have never clashed in the playoffs, with a chance at Major League Soccer's title on the line.

"Every year, they seem to be the most exciting, most intense games we play in," noted Galaxy star Landon Donovan. "Now, with the added element of the playoffs, it's going to be even more so. Everyone's going to enjoy it and hopefully, we enjoy it a little bit more than they do."


Though Donovan and David Beckham are the stand-outs on the Galaxy squad, Donovan himself felt that the club had a number of strong players to count on.

"We have a lot of players who have big game experience, besides David and myself, whether it's Eddie Lewis, Gregg Berhalter, Tony Sanneh or Donovan Ricketts, who have played in a lot of World Cup qualifiers, Donovan said. "These are all things that we think will help us."

Beckham also praised some of the younger contributors on the Galaxy roster, such as Omar Gonzalez, the rookie centerback who has logged more game minutes than any other defender.

"We've got young players who are playing out of their skin," noted Beckham.

For Beckham, the 2009 season has been a turbulent one, as he joined midseason and faced some resentment from local fans, but his steady contribution to the Galaxy's cause won even those who were disgruntled over. Beckham's effort helped him secure a spot in the MLS postseason for the first time in his career.

"It's nice to be in this position, to be in the playoffs," Beckham said. "We have a team that deserves to be here. The other seasons, we nearly made it, but we didn't deserve to be in the playoffs."

If coach Bruce Arena is any indication, the Galaxy won't be expecting any surprises from Chivas USA. The two teams finished ranked remarkably close in the standings, even though the Galaxy claimed the top spot in the Western Conference and Chivas USA finished in fourth place.


"We all know each other in the league," Arena said. "There are no secrets."

Beckham did have one gripe about the game, however - the early kickoff our due to television obligations. He was concerned about the factor heat might play in the match.

"It's a shame it's not an evening game," said the English midfielder.

Donovan, who has won three MLS titles in his career, still recalled the formula that had proven to work for him in other playoff matchups and hoped the Galaxy could put that to bear in the opening round.

"The way you win in the playoffs is you're good defensively and you make plays that change the game offensively," said Donovan.

Andrea Canales, Goal.com

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