Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo: Audition Before MLS Cup Playoffs In Order

Now hear this, readers of Bleacher Report and the View from Victoria Street.

On Sunday, Oct. 23,here will be an audition on the pitch for fringe players on Bruce Arena's Galaxy on Sunday night at Robertson Stadium in Houston, Tex. against Dominic Kinnear's Houston Dynamo as part of MLS's Got Talent.

Yes indeed, this match does not have any bearing on the MLS Cup Playoff Race, save for the jostling of positions in the Eastern Conference and well as Wild Card seedings hither and thither.

Well, there's also the chance for the Galaxy to post 70 points in the regular season with a victory, as well as notch their 20th win of the year. Not bad. 20-4-10. Sound teams win often. The Galaxy fits the mold.

But as I said before, this is clearly a match for the fringe players. Those who make up the depth of the LA Galaxy get their time in the limelight, and this is the opportunity to impress the manager.

Two players that could sit this one out are midfielders Landon Donovan and David Beckham. Donovan leads the team in goals with 12, while Beckham recorded 15 corners this season.

Robbie Keane is out until the playoffs due to an injured quad muscle sustained in Euro 2012 qualification action against Andorra and would not be available anyway.

And thus, the possibility of seeing a lineup filled with players like Chad Barrett, Adam Cristman, and even Dasan Robinson could be given a run at glory.

Now don't get me started on Barrett now. He had a opportunity to score an obscene amount of goals last week against Chivas USA, yet only managed to score once. Watch for Barrett to get open, and for the Galaxy faithful, pray to God he doesn't miss on the deliveries.

The real reason why the Galaxy are where they are right now is defense. Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza and Todd Dunivant have been enforcers on the back line, and they will need to be mindful of Brad Davis's playmaking ability.

At the center of the Galaxy's sound defense is goalkeeper Josh Saunders, who boasts a 0.93 goals against average, a 75 percent saves percentage and 55 stops on the year.

But offensively, it's going to be adventure in terms of finishing for the Galaxy, who would have seen a lot of lopsided results in their favor if they had the finishing part of their game down pat.

The play of Davis will be crucial to Houston's chances to defend their home turf against Los Angeles. Like Beckham, Davis has recorded 15 assists, with players like Geoff Cameron (five goals), Brian Ching (five goals) and Will Bruin (five goals) among the beneficiaries.

Goalkeeper Tally Hall has been a workhorse in making the Dynamo an MLS Cup contender, recording a 1.21 GAA, a 70 percent save percentage and 99 saves on the year.

Unless Arena elects to treat the match as a preview of their Western Conference semifinal first leg, Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Hunter Freeman and Jermaine Taylor should have a field day making plays on the back line.

The audition is now in order not only for the Galaxy, but for the Dynamo players as well. Simon Cowell send help.

Prediction:
I am a prognosticator that preaches the health values of momentum. Los Angeles should gain plenty of momentum after their victory over Motagua to put in an improved performance. And this time, it's their depth taking charge.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Houston Dynamo 1
Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET and will be televised by Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision.