Playoffs On Everyone's Mind

Galaxy forward Jovan Kirovski and the Crew's Gino Padula during their last meeting at the Home Depot Center earlier this year. Photo by Getty Images

If you are an MLS fan, this is the type of weekend you live for. With only a month left in the season and all but two teams still in the running for a playoff spot, every game is becoming a do-or-die situation for the clubs around the league. Galaxy and Chivas USA are no exception.

The Galaxy traveled to Columbus earlier in the week for tonight's clash against the league leading Crew. It won't be an easy task for the blue-and-gold, but has the makings of a great match, perhaps even a preview of MLS Cup 2009. Columbus is currently playing what is arguably its best soccer on the year and have for two consecutive weeks, successfully defended its top spot on the overall league standings. This will be the third week in a row in which they will have to defend it.

The blue-and-gold are a mere two points behind the leaders and can surpass them with a victory. Columbus, however, has been a tough place to get a victory in recent years. Despite that, the team is optimistic. Unlike prior years, the Galaxy have one of the league's best road record. In addition, last week's 2 - 0 victory over Toronto FC at the Home Depot Center restored their confidence after suffering a 6 - 3 thrashing the week prior. The only negative for the L.A. side is the absence -- due to injury -- of David Beckham, who has been playing some of his best soccer in a Galaxy jersey in recent weeks.

Regardless, this year's edition of the Galaxy is a much more cohesive unit that focuses on team play. Beckham's play will be missed, but teammates will step up to fill any gaps.

Columbus vs. Galaxy will undoubtedly be the match to watch this weekend.

Chivas USA also finds itself in an important match tonight, down at the Home Depot Center.

The red-and-whites take on the lowly New York Red Bull tonight and need to win to keep pace with the rest of the teams battling for some of the final playoff spots. Head Coach Preki Radosavljevic is probably asking himself Why me? after last Wednesday's 2 - 0 loss in a friendly versus parent club CD Guadalajara (Chivas) at the Rose Bowl.

The loss in a rather dull game was itself insignificant. However, midfielder Bojan Stepanovic picked up an injury in the match and as a result, will be out for 4 - 6 weeks. It comes at a time when the red-and-whites can ill afford to pick up new injuries.

Back to tonight's match, New York is having one of its worse seasons on record, but are not pushovers. Recent changes to their coaching staff seemed to have rejuvenated the club, at least to some degree. Still, the red-and-whites are clearly the better side and need to take advantage of these situations. Playing at home should give Chivas USA an added boost towards getting a favorable result tonight.

Game Details

Galaxy at Columbus Crew
When: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Time: 4:30 PM
TV: DK, FSW, Match Center
Radio: 570 AM, KWKW

Chivas USA vs. New York Red Bull
When: Saturday, September 26, 2009
Where: Home Depot Center
Time: 7:30 PM
TV: FSC, FSE
Radio: XEWW, 690 AM