Los Angeles Galaxy Ins and Outs, August 25, 2011

All hands on deck against La Liga

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy take on Liga Deportiva Alajuelense today at 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET (Fox Soccer Channel) at the Home Depot Center. Team captain Landon Donovan understood the importance of securing three points at Victoria Street.

“This is an important game,” Donovan told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “We said all along that these two games were important. We did our part in the first one and now we’ve got to do the same.”

Currently the Galaxy and La Liga are even on points with three. However, Los Angeles are first in Group A due to a superior goal differential (+2).

“We have the toughest group in the competition,” Arena said to reporters. “Securing three points at home is going to be vital if you hope to advance.”

If the Galaxy are able to secure all three points against one of the most storied Costa Rican clubs in history, it will give the club added momentum heading into their Sept. 13 road match with Monarcas Morelia.

Midfielder David Beckham argued that it would be criminal for Los Angeles to not win on the road. In the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League, every point counts. Every point matters.

“Every game we play at home, we have to win,” Beckham said. “In a competition like this when you play away, they’re difficult games. It’s always important to win our home games and get what we can when we play on the road.”

Forward Robbie Keane, who is used to competing in a different Champions League—namely, the UEFA Champions League—comes into the match as a relative neophyte.

“Everything is fairly new to me," Keane admitted "As soon as I play against these teams, being here a little bit longer, I’ll understand the teams we’re playing against. Sometimes it’s nice going to games not knowing who you’re playing against. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Could Hurricane Irene put a damper on plans?

According to the blog Empire of Soccer, Hurricane Irene is expected to bring torrents of rain to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, new Jersey.

Winds of 80 mph, combined with eight to 12 inches of rain could potentially threaten the contest between the New York Red Bulls and the Galaxy on Sunday night.

There is, however, a silver lining to all of this.

In the event that the game is postponed, the first week of September could potentially have a make-up date, since there is only one league contest scheduled that week: Real Salt Lake vs. the Philadelphia Union.

The match between the Red Bulls and Galaxy is already a sellout.