Los Angeles Galaxy Vs. Real Salt Lake, MLS Cup Playoffs 2011: LA Cruises To 3-1 Victory

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

It was as simple as goals get, at it showed off why playing Magee - a striker - on the wing is a great idea. Cutting into the far post, he got onto Beckham’s cross unmarked and nodded it in. Simple as you like.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

I really want to like Chad Barrett. He’s really a talented guy. A big, strong, quick striker with a high work rate. He’s obviously a reasonably intelligent footballer, because he always gets himself into great positions to score goals. And then he doesn’t score them. The reason he doesn’t score them is because he is Chad Barrett.

I’ve hit my breaking point. I have watched this at least 50 times in the last five years and laughed or just shook my head every time. Now I am finally upset. WHY CHAD BARRETT WHY WHY WHY?!?!?!?

This game could go in all sorts of directions in the second half. It could build off the end of the second half and go crazy, or Jason Kreis and Bruce Arena could shut up shop and keep this one boring. I’m going to bet on the latter, and I hope I’m wrong.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

At first glance, the penalty call seemed soft. As Williams and Gonzalez challenged for a ball in the air, Williams made a little push from behind and Gonzalez went down easily. However, there was absolutely a push by Williams, and he never really made an attempt on the ball. Soft? Yes, but also correct. Landon Donovan stepped up and converted the penalty, giving the Galaxy a lead.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

It’s the 20th minute, it’s 0-0, and the only chances have come from dead balls.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

The Coloimbian international might get himself into the game, but he’s looked a step slow in the opening five minutes. Though he made nothing of the chance, Chad Barrett ran by Olave easily in the third minute, getting on the end of a ball for a good scoring chance. He hit a left-footed volley 10 feet over the bar because he’s Chad Barrett, but the point stands. He torched Olave. This isn’t good.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.

So Nat Borchers is out for Real Salt Lake, but Jamison Olave is in. It’s not exactly what Jason Kreis wanted in the center of his defense as he’d have liked his powerful duo to be back there, but it’s not too bad. Chris Schuler will step in for Borchers and he’s plenty capable so there is no real weak link back there. Had both Borchers and Olave missed so Chris Wingert would have had to slide in to the center then RSL would have been in real trouble, but the Olave/Schuler pairing is plenty fine.

As for the Galaxy, it is the same starting lineup that they’ve gone with whenever they’ve been at full strength this season. The big note is Juninho in the center of the midfield as he returns from a red card suspension. How he closes down the space on Javier Morales and keeps the Salt Lake playmaker from opening things up for the visitors is the key match-up to watch in this Western Conference final.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, November 6, 9:00 pm ET

Venue: Home Depot Center, Carson, California

“Their status is day by day, and questionable. It will be questionable all the way to game time,” RSL head coach Jason Kreis told the Salt Lake Tribune. “Both of them have improved. Borchers is improving day by day, and I just talked to Olave and he says he’s getting closer, too. Good signs.”

From LA’s perspective, they think the two will play. Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena said as much in a conference call, stating “I’ll be honest with you – I’m expecting them to play. We’re planning on them playing.”

The second leg was an entirely different story. While Seattle didn’t do enough to turn around the three goal deficit, they completely steamrolled RSL in a 2-0 win, and they were unlucky to only win by two goals. The biggest difference in the team between the two legs was the performance of Alonso, who was absolutely brilliant in the second leg. He completely erased Javier Morales from the game, and RSL couldn’t create any possession in their opponents’ half.

The Galaxy play on the break, capitalize on set piece opportunities, and keep clean sheets despite the fact that they’re often playing a couple of very average players, even by MLS standards, in their back line. One of their central midfielders is David Beckham, a 37-year-old man with limited pace, minimal defensive qualities, and a bad back. So much of their strategy is centered around Juninho and what he provides in the center of midfield. He’s a good enough athlete to get forward when needed, he’s a good enough passer to start counter attacks from deep positions, and he regularly erases opposing attacking midfielders from the game.

Of course, that’s not the case. One of these teams will be playing for another championship to add to their trophy case, while the other will merely have to be satisfied with the berth in CONCACAF Champions League that they are already assured.

For all the latest updates and analysis of the MLS Cup playoffs, be sure to visit SB Nation Soccer. For the more localized perspectives, be sure to check out Galaxy blog LAG Confidential and Real Salt Lake blog RSL Soapbox.