Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Indonesia U-23s: The Asia Pacific Tour Begins

It's been one week since Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy lifted the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, drinking beer and champagned from the chalice of victory in their locker room after a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo in MLS Cup 2011.

So, what will David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane and the rest of the Galaxy do for an encore? How about jump across the Pacific for a trio of friendlies?

The first of these friendlies is on Wednesday, Nov. 30, when they take on the Indonesia Under-23 men's national team at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

Originally, this was scheduled for be a friendly between the Galaxy and a select side of players from the Indonesian Super League.

However, the Young Garuda's performance at the Southeast Asian Games motivated the top brass of the Persatuan Sepak bola Seluruh Indonesia (PSSI), or Football Association of Indonesia, to reconsider its decision and send in a combined team of Young Garuda and senior national team players instead, according to Tribun News.

Indonesia finished as silver medalists at the SEA Games in Jakarta, losing 4-3 on penalty kicks to Malaysia after a 1-1 draw.

Three major players to watch for Indonesia's Under-23 players include Oktovianus Maniani, the MVP of the football tournament at the SEA Games, and the scoring tandem of Titus Bonai and Patrich Wanggai.

Wanggai, who plays for Persidafon Dafonsoro of the Indonesian Super League, is the team's leading goalscorer with eight, while Bonai of Persipura Jayapura has six goals to his credit.

Players that have been called up from the senior side include forwards Cristian Gonzalez and captain Bambang Pamungkas. Gonzalez has recorded 11 goals for the Garuda, while Pamungkas is one of the national team's most prolific scorers with 37 to his credit.

Indonesia's senior national team were eliminated from FIFA World Cup 2014 qualification following their loss to Qatar on Nov. 11.

The Galaxy will be sending their strongest side possible to this event, essentially fielding the same team that won the Cup. Defenders Sean Alvarado and Leonardo and forward Chad Barrett will not make the trip due to injury.

In league play, midfleder/team captain Landon Donovan scored 12 goals for the Galaxy, while midfielder David Beckham recorded fifteen assists.

The Galaxy are not only coming off a successful MLS Cup victory, but also a successful MLS Supporters' Shield defense and a Group Stage victory in the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League.

Los Angeles ended the regular season with a 19-5-10 record (67 points) and finished the year on a four-game win streak, winning all of their playoff matches including MLS Cup 2011.

Prediction:
On paper, this should be a win for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The only way that Indonesia can pull off a shock result is if the Galaxy do not take this match seriously and play the type of football that has made them the success story stateside.

The talent level for the Galaxy will prove to be too much. The Garuda/Young Garuda outfit aren't going to make things easy for LA, but otherwise it should be a walk in the park.

Los Angeles Galaxy 3, Indonesia U-23s 0
Kickoff at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium is scheduled for 4 a.m. PT/7 a.m. ET.