Los Angeles Galaxy: Ins and Outs, October 26, 2011

Aim is true for Los Angeles

For Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy, their aim is true, and their mentality is clear: it's MLS Cup or bust.

With the CONCACAF Champions League Championship Round Quarterfinal Draw not expected to take place until December, the focus for the Galaxy (19-5-10, 67 points) is for a return to the MLS Cup...and a victory at the Home Depot Center.

Midfielder David Beckham, who is about to close another successful year with Los Angeles, was quick to throw caution to the wind.

“It’s always important to stamp your authority on a season and I think we’ve done that the last few years, especially this year we’ve had a really good season,” midfielder David Beckham told MLSSoccer.com's Luis Bueno. “It’s not over yet. You can end up winning the Supporters’ Shield and end up going out in the first round.”

The Galaxy will not be entering the postseason until the Conference Semifinals, where they could face either the Columbus Crew, Colorado Rapids or New York Red Bulls.

A poll posted on LAGalaxy.com has indicated that more than half of voters want a Galaxy-Red Bulls matchup. LA vs. New York, without question, will make for a tantalizing Conference Semifinal and may as well be the showcase semi, although New York must first defeat FC Dallas in the wild card game.

Team captain/midfielder Landon Donovan believes the team is prepared for any situation that will face the Galaxy this postseason.

“Bruce [Arena] has done a good job of building a team that’s really competitive from [players] one to 30, but also we have enough quality where in a one-game do-or-die loser-goes-home game, we’re good enough and talented enough,” Donovan said. “It’s a tricky balance in our league, it always has been that way. I’ve been on both sides of the coin and sometimes but we think we’re good enough to win.”

“We’re focused and we’ve been focused the whole season on this one goal,” defender Adam Cristman told Larry Morgan of LAGalaxy.com. “We all believe in each other and we believe we can win in any situation we get put in.”

Keane's condition improves, as does Donovan's and Franklin's

A player on the Galaxy squad that will need to get healthy is forward Robbie Keane, who was recovering from a strained quad suffered in Euro 2012 qualification against Andorra.

The injury diagnosis was that Keane would be out for four weeks. Assistant manager Dave Sarachan was pleased to announce that Keane's condition was improving, but at the same time warned that a gradual transition back to the pitch would be preferred, rather than a quick return.

“It’s a delicate thing because those injuries, if you rush too much, then you’re really set back," Sarachan told Bueno. "I think we’re doing the right things, taking it step by step and we’re hopeful that we’re going to be able to utilize him. We’re just not sure in what capacity.”

As for Donovan, again Sarachan pulled no punches in mentioning that a gradual transition was preferred. Defender Sean Franklin overcame a knee inflammation and could potentially start in the first leg of the Conference Semifinal.