LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake, 2014 MLS Playoffs: An epic battle brewing

The LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake figured to play one of the most intense conference semifinal ties of the MLS Cup Playoffs and, if the first leg was any indication, that’s exactly what they’re doing. The two teams played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg, spending 90 minutes kicking each other, yelling at the referee and watching Jaime Penedo bail the Galaxy out.

Now the tie turns to Los Angeles, where the Galaxy seemingly have the advantage, but RSL has one very important trump card -- they kept LA from scoring an away goal. If Salt Lake can manage a goal in the second leg, they are through with just a draw.

The Galaxy were the better team in the regular season and favorites coming into the tie, but they certainly didn’t look better in the first leg. The midfield that dominated in the second half of the season failed to cope with RSL’s diamond, as Luis Gil turned in his best match of the season and Kyle Beckerman was excellent as usual. LA made a habit of controlling matches all year, but they couldn’t do that in Salt Lake and their sometimes-shaky back line was exposed because of it.

It’s not as if the Galaxy were completely played off the pitch. If it wasn’t for a bad offside call, they would have won, 1-0, and that highlights just how potent they are. Even when they’re not the better team, the trio of Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Gyasi Zardes can win them a match, and it should have in the first leg.

The Galaxy and RSL have a long history. Both teams know each other inside and out, and neither is going to make major tactical changes. They have their system and they try to impose that on the other team. That will be the case in the second leg, which should resemble two rams running into each other headfirst until one finally taps out.

Both teams are healthy and ready to go. The only absences will be long-term ones, like Todd Dunivant, who doesn’t figure to play again this season.

RSL will have a choice to make in the midfield as Luis Gil, Ned Grabavoy and Luke Mulholland are all up to start in two places so someone is getting left out, but health isn’t a concern.

1. Who wins the battle of goalkeepers? Nick Rimando is one of the best goalkeepers in MLS history, and he’s even better in the postseason. But in the first leg, Jaime Penedo put on a performance that even Rimando would be envious of. The Galaxy goalkeeper was sublime, making a handful of great saves to keep LA from losing by two or three goals. Can he replicate that performance? Or will he even be asked to? The Galaxy hope not, and RSL will be counting on Rimando to be his usual brilliant self.

2. Which team can get an edge out side? Both teams play narrow through the midfield. The Galaxy play in a 4-4-2, but with Baggio Husidic pinching and Landon Donovan pushing high so it doesn’t have any real wingers. RSL use a diamond midfield, so they don’t ever intend to get width there. That leaves both teams to depend on their fullbacks for width. If the Galaxy can’t get it from Robbie Rogers and Dan Gargan, they have to use their forwards to drift out wide, which weakens their attack, while RSL don’t really have a second option so if either side can win the battle on the flanks, they have a huge edge.

3. Can Juninho and Sarvas match Beckerman? It’s crazy to think that we’re talking about two Galaxy players matching a single RSL player, but that’s how good Kyle Beckerman is. He is the best defensive midfielder in MLS, bar none, and did an excellent job of controlling tempo last match. LA use Juninho and Marcelo Sarvas in a double pivot, allowing one to get forward while the other sits deep. That allows them versatility and unpredictability, but against RSL, they have to be excellent and keep the match from getting away from the Galaxy in the middle.

After the first leg, it’s tough to pick against RSL, but the Galaxy only lost one match at home all season and that came in their very first one. Admittedly, that was against Salt Lake, but it was before LA found their stride. The Galaxy just look too good at home and it was striking that even when they were outplayed last week, only a bad call kept them from winning. LA will win, 2-1.