Where were you the last time the Los Angeles Galaxy lost a game? Can you remember anything about May 1? It was quite a long time ago, after all. How about the other time the Galaxy lost, back on March 26?
Major League Soccer (Mid)Week 21 Preview, Picks: Galaxy Seem Unstoppable Right Now
Galaxy have not lost since May 1, a stretch of 14 games in which they’ve been the hottest team in MLS.
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It’s really nothing short of remarkable what the Galaxy have managed to accomplished this year, seemingly without too many people expressing their amazement. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?
Just as impressive is their lack of losses over the past 14 games is the way they've been doing it. The Galaxy have now won eight of 12 and outscored their opponents 19-5. They've done this while only getting minimal contributions from Designated Player Juan Pablo Angel, missing Landon Donovan for four games and lacking the services of goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts for seven of the past eight games. Add it up and you have a team that is not only leading the Supporters' Shield by three points, but one that is on as impressive a run as any in MLS.
Those two teams they lost to, by the way, were two of the league's better teams. Against teams currently outside of playoff qualification, they are 6-0-6, including a 3-0 win over the Portland Timbers, the team they visit tonight.
The Timbers really do not look like the kind of team that is going to halt the Galaxy’s impressive run. After a nice start at home, they have gone winless in their past six games at home (0-4-2). Overall, they’ve won just one of their past 10 (1-7-2) and have been outscored 20-11. A win would be among the biggest upsets of the seasons.
TV: ESPN. Time: Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. Pick: Galaxy, 2-0.
Sporting Kansas City vs. Real Salt Lake, 8:30 p.m., Wednesday
It has been more than two months since Sporting lost a MLS game, an impressive run of form no matter the circumstances. The reality, though, is that the bulk of that run has been against teams that will likely miss the playoffs as seven of those 13 games have come against teams will little hope of making the playoffs. Real Salt Lake should provide their best test, at least at recently christened Livestrong Sporting Park. RSL is coming off a rare home loss and will no doubt be looking to get back on form, perhaps with some lineup tweaks. Pick: Tied 1-1.
Chicago Fire vs. Philadelphia Union, 9 p.m., Wednesday
For all the talk of the job Frank Kloppas has done in turning around the Fire since taking over for Carlos de los Cobos, they have just one win in nine games under their new coach. There's been some improvement, no doubt, but there is still a lot of work for Kloppas to do, especially on the offensive side where the Fire have produced all of five goals during his tenure. Facing a defensive team like the Union hardly seems to be a recipe for success even if the Union are going to be missing Sheanon Williams. Pick: Union 1-0.
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