Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Liga Deportiva Alajuelense: Redemption Time For LA

Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy did not acquit themselves ahead of Wednesday night's CONCACAF Champions League match with Liga Deportiva Alajuelense.

The Galaxy were dropped in a 2-1 defeat late in the second half to Monarcas Morelia and were just rebounding with their 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS action.

“I don’t think that was an easy game,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “I thought Vancouver played quite hard, really gave us an excellent first half. That’s not a 3-0 game.”

“We found a way to put that [loss to Morelia] behind us pretty quickly, which shows a lot for our team,” said Galaxy midfielder Mike Magee. “Getting a win quick was good because sometimes after those losses, they get contagious and you could lose a couple of games after.”

Forward Robbie Keane scored in the Galaxy's defeat to Morelia in the 52nd minute.

“Most important thing tonight was bouncing back from mid-week and we managed to do that,” Keane said. “Like anything, when you’re winning games and scoring goals it makes thing a lot easier, and that’s been the case since I’ve been here. So far it’s been going well and all-in-all, very happy.”

Oscar Ramirez's Alajuelense were coming off a 4-2 blowout victory over C.D. Motagua at the Estadio Tiburcio Carias Andino in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

A healthy Jonathan McDonald contributed with a goal in the 51st minute, but it was Allen Guevara's brace in the 84th and 86th minutes that put the game out of reach for the Blue Eagles. Luis Miguel Valle also scored for La Liga in the 41st minute of play.

This is an important match for the Los Angeles Galaxy, since they are tied on points with Morelia and Alajuelense with six but are only second to Alajuelense on goal differential (+3 to +1).

It's a must-win for LA, who will host Morelia on Sept. 28.

With goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts still sidelined due to injury, Josh Saunders has a chance at redemption against La Liga. Saunders held Alajuelense scoreless back at the Home Depot Center and will need to be clutch again on Wednesday night.

"I know that he felt really bad about the other day [against Morelia]," Arena said of Saunders. "I thought that he was really sharp and did a good job coming off his line and he was just very solid [against the whitecaps].”

Saunders made four saves against Vancouver. He will need to do a lot more this week against La Liga.

Los Angeles are led by Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Donovan has 12 league goals this season, while Beckham leads the Galaxy with 14 assists.

Prediction:

It's important that Los Angeles puts the pressure on teams like Alajuelense and Morelia. The Galaxy were able to roll past La Liga last time. With McDonald back in the lineup, expect a closer game. The Galaxy should be able to get the result they need on Wednesday as they keep pace with Morelia.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense 1

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel.