Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, November 1, 2011

Galaxy aim to ease up on the swagger

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles have a monumental task on their hands when they host the second leg of the 2011 MLS Western Conference Semifinals against the New York Red Bulls (kickoff: 8 p.m. PT/11 p.m. ET, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).

For LA, the confidence can be there, but it must be in moderation in order for the Galaxy to secure a spot in the Conference Final against the Seattle Sounders or Real Salt Lake, who currently lead Seattle 3-0 heading into that second leg.

“We learned a ton from that game (against FC Dallas), unfortunately,” forward Mike Magee told MLSSoccer.com's Jonah Freedman. “Just wearing an LA Galaxy jersey isn’t going to win you games and, I think on that day, we just came out with no energy and we kind of thought we were going to the MLS Cup and we had written FC Dallas off.

"We’re not going to make that mistake again.”

The loss of Juninho due to a post-match red card raises a red flag for LA's prospects. Clearly playing direct is going to be the plan for Hans Backe's Red Bulls, and defender Todd Dunivant expects the side to be ready for that. As well as the unexpected.

“I think we can do as much attacking as they can and we’re not going to sit back for 90 minutes and try and withstand their pressure,” Dunivant said. “I think we’re going to try and attack and be on the front foot as well because, if we’re just sitting back the whole time, they’re too dangerous and it’s going to be a long 90.”

There is no away goals rule in the MLS Cup Playoffs, meaning that the advantage will lie on the home side to produce. Los Angeles will also need to search for the first goal of the second leg and seek additional insurance before going on the defensive.

Midfielder Chris Birchall may get the start in place of Juninho in the midfield. Birchall was confident that the horror show that was the 2010 Western Conference Final against FC Dallas wasn't going to rear its ugly head again in the form of another herd with a different color.

“We’ve got experience,” Birchall said. “We don’t want what happened last year to happen again with Dallas coming here and turning us over. We’re wary, but we know, if any year that we’re going to do it, it’s going to be this year with all the games being at home.”

15,000? How about 20,000!

It looks like California State University, Dominguez Hills has realized how important these MLS Cup Playoffs are.

The maximum capacity for Thursday night's second leg has been increased to 20,000, according to the Los Angeles Galaxy front office.

In addition, free shuttles will be offered to the Home Depot Center from two locations: the South Bay Pavilion and Artesia Transit Center. However, tailgating will not be allowed at these two sites.

Regardless, the match between the Galaxy and Red Bulls on Thursday is expected to be a sellout.

All hail, Mr. Clutch

Mike Magee, a fan favorite of the Los Angeles Galaxy, wasn't the only hero that delivered for the Supporters' Shield winners. Goalkeeper Josh Saunders made stop after stop in LA's 1-0 victory over New York at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J.

“He had an outstanding game,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com's John Bolster. “Obviously some key saves, several of them in the second half. He was outstanding.”

“Josh was real aggressive coming out,” said team captain/midfielder Landon Donovan. “That relieved a lot of pressure for us.”

But it was the goalscoring hero that had the final say in the entire proceedings.

“Any time you have a guy like Donovan Ricketts on the bench,” Magee said, “your starter’s got to be pretty damn good. And that’s obviously the case.”

More cowbell, Mr. Clutch?

Dirty Cows Make For Dirty Play, Squeaky-Clean Donovan Says

As for Donovan, he was less-than-impressed by the behavior of New York's Rafa Marquez, and not only called out the suspended Red Bull, but the entire team for adding fuel to the fire.

"There (are) a few plays where they took some cheap shots at us,” Donovan told Bolster. “In all my years in this league, I’ve not played against a cheaper team, and they’ve been doing it all year.

"We saw it a few weeks ago with [Thierry] Henry kneeing someone in the back. We’ve seen that stuff all year. You just deal with it, and at the end of it, the cream rose to the top, and the better team won.”

The remarks triggered a storm of criticism from Red Bulls supporters on MLSSoccer.com, thanks to Simon Borg's Kickoff column, which spun the words into a tasty piece of bulletin board material.

Football fans will be interested to see if those words will be supported by a similar outcome in Thursday's second leg.