Los Angeles Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo: Galaxy Take Care of Business at Home

This season, the Los Angeles Galaxy have had to do without the duties of a one David Beckham. At times with him not there, the middle of the field would seem empty, lost and by many standards weak (even with Landon Donovan in the rover position). 

That was not the case on Wednesday night, when the Galaxy decided to get defensive and take out the Dynamo with a 1-0 result. 

The Galaxy were opportunistic in their victory after a fortuitous handball in the box by a Dynamo defender led to the the lone goal of the night by Landon Donovan.

Donovan currently leads the MLS in goals scored with eight, while the international man of soccer, David Beckham, sits atop the assists category with five.

Donovan Ricketts made three saves on the night and posted his fifth clean sheet on the year, tied for second in the league.

The center back pairing of Omar Gonzalez and A.J. De La Garza in the last six games of the season have proved to be pillars of consistency and steel walls for opposing strikers. That was once again the case last night as the collective play of the Galaxy disallowed any type of creative play, just as they did in the Super Classico against the Chivas USA on Saturday.  

The midfielder who has not gotten any sort of recognition this year in the middle of Donovan and Becks is Juninho. This kid is able to control the center of the field with ease, due to his quick feet and tremendous field vision. The Galaxy got lucky on this Brazilian. Last year he seemed lost and a little overwhelmed, but now Bruce Arena has been able to make Juninho into another star for the Galaxy.

A few other players that have been missing out on some major recognition for their play include Sean Franklin and Todd Dunivant. These two wing backs have started just about every game this year, as well as last year, and they never get any sort of recognition.

Yes, I remember Franklin's back pass that gave the Union the tying goal against us, but that being said they both have quietly continued to do their job at a high level. They deserve their due, as much as the international sensation Beckham or the lovable captain Donovan.

The Galaxy get set to take on New England, in Foxborough on Saturday night, where they should have good old No. 23 in the midfield. 

But now, I want to hear your thoughts. Who do you think is underrated for the Galaxy, or overrated?