CARSON, Calif. -- On April 13, Jeff Cunningham nicked a late goal for Toronto FC at The Home Depot Center to steal a share of the points from the Los Angeles Galaxy. On Saturday, the Galaxy head to Canada to try and return the favor.
A trip to BMO Field is far from an easy one and the fact that Toronto has had a complete reversal of fortunes this season when compared to last -- all of which began with that victory in Los Angeles -- makes the Galaxy's task at hand a tall order.
Los Angeles is coming off a disappointing loss in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday and will be looking to bounce back. In that game against Colorado, LA created several first-half chances, but lacked the finishing touch. They allowed the Rapids to stick around and lost 1-0 on a late goal.
"We wipe the slate clean and move on and get ready for the weekend," said Steve Cronin, who has started every game in goal for the Galaxy this season. "We're doing well in the league, so hopefully we'll continue to do the right things in those games and get a win on the road."
Part of the Galaxy's finishing woes were directed towards the fact that Landon Donovan and David Beckham were absent from Tuesday's game while on international duty. Head coach Ruud Gullit wasn't so quick to write off his team.
"Of course we gave the journalists ammunition to say that we cannot play without these two [Beckham and Donovan]," said Gullit. "We did not want it, but I do not think it's true."
Beckham remained with the England national team following Wednesday's friendly against the United States, as it has a friendly against Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday in Port of Spain. Donovan has rejoined the club after missing Wednesday's game with a groin injury. His status for Saturday's game is still uncertain, but even without him, the Galaxy are confident that they can find the back of the net.
"Obviously a player of Landon or David's caliber changes things in the final third," said Pete Vagenas, who made his first start of the season on Tuesday. "With that being said, there's guys in those positions that are confident and feel they can get the job done."
Los Angeles won't be the only team missing star players this weekend, though. Toronto will have to cope with a multitude of absences of their own. Carl Robinson, Greg Sutton and Amado Guevara are all away on international duty, while Laurent Robert is serving a suspension. That's nearly half of Toronto's regular starting 11.
At least one star player can be expected to make an appearance. The Galaxy's Carlos Ruiz will be looking to exploit the TFC backline and score his first goal of the season. The Guatemalan is coming off a knee injury and made his return to the field in Tuesday night's game.
Coming away with even a share of the points from BMO would be a positive result for any team in MLS this season. But the Galaxy have something to prove after being eliminated from the Open Cup, so it's likely they'll be gunning for more than that.
"We have to keep working. We have a very important game this weekend," said Ruiz. "We have to play in Toronto, so we'll see if we can be better in that game (than we were against Colorado)."
Reds close on Dossena
Reds jubilant after first win
Galaxy looking for scoring balance
