Carson, CA (My Sportsbook) - The Houston Dynamo and Los Angeles Galaxy square off in Major League Soccer's Western Conference Championship on Friday night at The Home Depot Center.
The game figures to come down offense, or lack thereof, as the two teams combined for just one goal in their two meetings this regular season.
"Their physicality is their number one thing," L.A. defender Todd Dunivant said. "They get after the ball, they pressure you, they fight, they foul. They're a chippy team ... that's their number one attribute. They're on you the entire game, they're relentless. We faced that twice this year with them and did a good job of keeping them at bay. But the playoffs are a different feel and we have to step it up even more."
The Galaxy are coming off their first playoff series victory in three years after besting L.A. neighbors Chivas USA in the Western semis. They currently have a six-game unbeaten run in the playoffs, however.
"It's huge for our franchise," L.A. veteran Landon Donovan said. "Myself, Gordo [Alan Gordon], Cobi [Jones] ... we kind of understand what this all means. But we're not satisfied ... that's not good enough for us. Now we have a big opportunity to do something special. If you told me before the year we had a game at home against Houston to go to the MLS Cup Final I'd be excited. And I'm real excited for it."
The match features two of the more experienced teams in the league, so mistakes could be at a minimum on Friday.
"Houston is probably the most playoff-tested, veteran team in this league," Dunivant said. "We have a lot of veteran guys who have been around the block, but Houston has been a team that's been together for five, six years now. That's a big advantage for them. They've been in every situation, every playoff situation and they have difference-makers."
Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad is one of those difference makers.
"The biggest thing with [L.A.] is you have to keep your shape in attack," he said. "You've got guys like [David] Beckham with the ability to hit a 40-yard ball, and you have to make sure you're organized defensively, otherwise he'll punish you with Landon [Donovan] making his runs."
The Galaxy will be without defender Julian Valentin, forward Alecko Eskandarian, while midfielder Stefani Miglioranzi is questionable with injuires.
Houston will be without defender Richard Mulrooney, while forward Luis Angel Landin and defender Geoff Cameron are questionable with injuries.
"The expectations don't really change as far as who is starting and who is not," Houston coach Dominic Kinnear said. "Whoever is out there, whether it has been guys who have been with the group for five to six years, or whether it is someone making his debut ... I don't think you can lose your focus as to what is most important and that is to win the game."
