MLS Preview: Galaxy, RSL meet in MLS Cup rematch

Posted Jun 9, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 9, 2010 at 08:17 AM

The top two teams in the Western Conference meet, while Chicago travels to Colorado in Wednesday’s Major League Soccer action.

LOS ANGELES (10-0-2) AT REAL SALT LAKE (6-3-2): The Galaxy will try to complete a remarkable opening of the season as they travel to Rio Tinto Stadium for their final game before the World Cup break.

Ahead of RSL by 12 points already, the Galaxy have not seen a drop off in form since the departure of Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle to international duty. That has been in part thanks to the form of Jovan Kirovski, named MLS Player of the Week on Monday, 19-year-old Tristan Bowen and a defense that has only given up three goals in 12 games.

If the Galaxy are to continue their undefeated streak, though, they’ll have to do it against the side that not only defeated them for last season’s MLS Cup, but also has an impressive streak of its own going. RSL is undefeated in 15 games at home, but lost 2-1 to the Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in April, which has just amplified the game for its players.

COLORADO (6-3-1) AT CHICAGO (3-3-4): The Rapids are the lowest-scoring team in the Western Conference, a surprise given the attacking prowess of Omar Cummings and Connor Casey, but they have been able to grind out three straight 1-0 wins en route to moving up to third place in the conference entering tonight game against the Fire.

The Rapids will be without Paolo Mastroeni, who is suspended after his ejection in Saturday’s game against Columbus, and will try to exorcise the memories of their last trip to Toyota Park when they lost a 2-0 lead with 20 minutes to go.

The two teams played to a 2-2 draw when they met in April, and the Fire will be eager to win back-to-back games for the second time this season. Chicago has crept up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference with only one loss in its last seven games, but has fewer points than seven of the eight teams in the Western Conference. Turning ties into victories is going to be essential if it is to make the playoffs.