LA Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids: 6 Players to Watch

Peter Aiken/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Galaxy will take on the Colorado Rapids on September 9th at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The Galaxy sit atop the Western Conference at the moment, with 52 points in 27 games (14-10-3 record). Colorado has not been too bad themselves and are currently in fifth place in the West with 41 points (10-11-7).

The Rapids are just one point behind Real Salt Lake for fourth place in the West, and are still in position to make the MLS Playoffs.

This match is surely more important for Colorado, but the Galaxy will definitely fancy their chances at home, where they are undefeated this season in MLS play (eight wins, five draws).

Here are the six players to watch on September 9th in Carson, California.

Prediction: 2-1 Galaxy win

Landon Donovan

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Donovan, as always, will be a key attacking option for the LA Galaxy. His pace and link-up play will surely give the Colorado Rapids' defence a lot to think about.

Look for Landon to be heavily involved for the home-side, with the chance for a goal or assist highly likely.

Robbie Keane

Christopher Lee/Getty Images

The former Spurs' striker bagged a goal for the Galaxy on his debut and will be keen on netting another one on Friday night. Keane will get his chances, but can he make the most of them?

Omar Gonzalez

Jeff Golden/Getty Images

The Galaxy have the stingiest home defence in the MLS, allowing just seven goals. Defender Omar Gonzalez is one of the reasons for the Galaxy's dominant defence.

The 22-year-old center-back has been in sparkling form this season, effectively making the MLS All-Star team. He will need to be at his best on Friday when going up against forwards Caleb Folan and Conor Casey.

Omar Cummings

Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

One Omar deserves another. Colorado midfielder Omar Cummings will be vital for the Rapids' chances of grabbing a result in Carson on Friday night.

The Jamaican midfielder leads the Rapids with seven assists in 20 appearances (13 starts). If any Colorado player can unlock the Galaxy defence, it may just be Cummings.

Jeff Larentowicz

Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

Jeff Larentowicz has enjoyed a very productive season in 2011. So much so that he was called up to the United States national team by Jurgen Klinsmann on August 25th, ahead of the United States friendlies versus Costa Rica and Belgium.

Larentowicz is the Rapids' joint top-scorer this season with six goals. Conor Casey and Caleb Folan have also tallied six goals apiece for Colorado.

I'll go ahead and dub them the "Devil Trio." In case you didn't catch that, their goal tallies are 6-6-6. Clever, I know.

Matt Pickens

Marc Piscotty/Getty Images

If Colorado is going to get anything out of this game, goalkeeper Matt Pickens must be flawless.

Pickens and Colorado are coming off a disappointing 2-0 loss at the hands of the Chicago Fire. The Rapids must raise their level of play on Friday night, with a point seemingly golden for the visitors.