Who says that the Los Angeles Galaxy need
Landon Donovan and
David Beckham when they've got the likes of Edson Buddle and
Alan Gordon?
The MLS season has reached the point where coaches have to figure out what they've got not just with their First XI, but with the remaining guys on their roster. Either due to international duty, injuries or discipline, this is a chance for rest of a team's roster to prove their worth.
In the Galaxy's case, Buddle and Gordon (along with an impressive performance by goalkeeper
Donovan Ricketts) did just that last weekend in a 2-1 win against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Both players scored, giving the Galaxy their second win of the season. What's more impressive is that that team has been unbeaten since a
3-2 loss to the Colorado Rapids on April 4, a span of 10 league contests.
While draws are deadly
when it comes to playing Survivor Pro, this Saturday's match against Real Salt Lake at The Home Depot Center, gives the Galaxy a good chance of upping their season win total. The two teams have already played once this season, resulting in -- you guessed it -- a draw at Rio Tinto Stadium with
the final three goals of the 2-2 tie being scored within stoppage time.
Certainly the Galaxy would be a better team with Donovan and Beckham in the starting lineup, but they are finding ways to pull out points without them and that could prove most valuable later in the season. Coach Bruce Arena has been mixing the young (
Omar Gonzalez, 20, and
A.J. DeLaGarza, 21) with the old (
Tony Sanneh, 38 and Gregg Berhalter, 35) to solidify the backfield infront of Ricketts, who is currently playing like a finalist for Goalkeeper of the Year.
This is a risky pick given the amount of draws the Galaxy have claimed this season, but they should be able to build upon last week's road victory. RSL has yet to win a game on the road this season in six attempts (0-5-1).
Top Choice: Los Angeles Galaxy (Season Top Choice record:
3-5)
Meanwhile, Steve Nicol's Revolution finally appear to be healthy and look to have turned a corner on their season after very slow start. The Revs, who are coming off of two important Eastern Conference home victories against D.C. United and the New York Red Bulls, head to Kansas City on Saturday to take on the Wizards. In only his second match of the season,
Taylor Twellman scored twice against New York, goals 100 and 101 of his MLS career. With Twellman and goalkeeper
Matt Reis back healthy and reliable veterans
Shalrie Joseph,
Steve Ralston and
Jay Heaps still going strong, this Revs team looks ready to make a run.
Best Bet: New England Revolution (Season Best Bet record:
3-5)
Your picks for LAG v. RSL and NER v. KCW are due Saturday.