November 21, 2009 WHO WILL BE THE REAL THING? Favored Galaxy take on Real Salt Lake in MLS Cup final
By Michael Lewis BigAppleSoccer.com Editor
Landon Donovan is expected to play a key role for the Los Angeles Galaxy against Real Salt Lake in MLS Cup. Linda Cuttone/Sports Vue Images
SEATTLE -- On a team that boasts the likes of David Beckham and Landon Donovan, it would be easy to assume the L.A. Galaxy will win MLS Cup in a cake walk.
But even the Galaxy reminds the media, not so fast. The team still has to play and beat Real Salt Lake in tonight's championship game (ESPN, 8:30 p.m.).
"Why are we heavy favorites? I haven't seen any lines on this game at all," Galaxy coach Bruce Arena said. "I think Vegas has collected about 12 dollars [on this game]. I don't know why we are favorites."
Well, the Galaxy has two big stars, while RSL is, more or less, a hard-working side that isn't afraid to go on the attack.
"The media keeps saying . . . that they're a team of stars," RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman said. "Well, Donovan is a star and Beckham is a star. But they also have some other good players on their team that are similar to guys that we have.
"So I don't know. I wish I was 11 vs. two. That owuld be a nice matchup."
After a sputtering start and a rift between the two superstars after Donovan's critical remarks about Beckham, all is well in Galaxyland these days. The Galaxy (12-6-12) enters the match against RSL (11-12-7) 7-2-2 in its last 11 games, including the playoffs.
"This has been more rewarding than any of the previous trip to this point in the season," Donovan said Friday. "It's been challenging. It's been difficult for a few years here. To put everything you have into something and then to be successful is very rewarding. . . . I can't think of a guy who hasn't put their heart into this team this year. I think that's the reason we're here."
Beckham, who plays for three teams year-round, including on loan to A.C. Milan in Italy and the England national side, is enjoying his latest ride in a career that has included English Premier League titles with Manchester United and La Liga crown with Real Madrid (Spain).
"Success is always something that never gets old," he said. "I've been able to play in great leagues for big teams and winning championships and cups with those teams is always exciting. And so is this.
"These occasions don't come every year, so you have to make sure that you enjoy them."
Donovan is gunning for his fourth MLS title and first since 2005 (three in his first six years), the last time the Galaxy reached the playoffs.
"In the past I was a little spoiled and I thought getting to the playings and getting to this point was going to happen every year," he said. "The reality is that it takes a lot of hard work that you don't see when you're a young player."
RSL, whose best finish in its five-year history was at 10-10-10 last year, is trying to become the first sub. .500 club (11-12-7) to win the Cup.
"I think it's a little bit of an indictment to put too much weight we had a losing record, one game under .500," RSL coach Jason Kreis said.
"I know what they're capable of. At the moment, they are playing close to their potential, close to their ability. If they do that this weekend, we have every shot in the world and I don't care what any records have to say."
RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando, who backstopped D.C. United to the 2004 title, agreed.
"When you get to the playoffs, the truth be told, records don't mean anything anymore," he said. "If you get there, you cann do something. That's exactly what this team did. We got to the playoffs and we opened some eyes. There's still people that don't believe in us. We're a team that believes and that's why we're here."
As in many championship games, this one could very well be decided by the midfield. The Galaxy boast Chris Klein on the right, Dema Kovalenko and Beckham in the middle and Donovan on the left. While RSL doesn't boast as glamarous midfield, it is solid with Will Johnson on the left, Andy Williams on the right and Javier Morales as the attacking midfielder and Beckerman as the defensive one.
As it turns out, L.A. is concerned about the RSL's middle men.
Asked what he admired about RSL, Galaxy assistant coach Dave Sarachan replied, "Their ability not to get caught up in a lot of structure. They're very free flowing. They're very attack-oriented with a commitment of sometimes five, six, seven players and I respect that. They have different ways to get at you, through combination passing, through balls over the top, speed."
Added L.A. defensive midfielder Dema Kovalenko: "They don't have a set midfield. They interchange. Guys move left, right. It's a good midfield. It's been around, a veteran midfield. They've been in big games before. . . . It's not easy to deal with them, but we are ready."
The Galaxy went 0-1-1 against RSL this season, playing to a 2-2 draw in Sandy, Utah on May 6 and a 2-0 loss in Carson, Calif. on June 13 But Kovalenko downplayed the previous two encounters.
"It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Kovalenko said. "This is a new game, the most important game. It will come down to one mistake when you give them a chance. It's going to be a fight. we know that. But we are a good team, too."
