LA fights for survival, RBNY rests for playoffs

Soccer Betting Lines

10/17/2007 - Carson, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Red Bull New York's Major League Soccer regular season finale at the Los Angeles Galaxy is a game of the utmost importance - for the Galaxy.

When the two teams square off at The Home Depot Center Thursday night, the Galaxy will be fighting for a playoff spot while New York (12-11-6) already has the No. 3 seed in the Eastern bracket clinched, meaning a repeat of the epic battle in New York on Aug. 18 - a 5-4 Red Bulls' win - is not likely.

"For the team that we are playing against, (the importance of this game) is significant, obviously," New York coach Bruce Arena said. "For ourselves it is just another challenge. I think over the last five or six games, although the results haven't been what we wanted, we have elevated our play and we want to continue that. It is very important for me that we see a good effort and we play some good quality soccer. At the end of the day, we are going to need that if we are going to win a playoff series."

The Galaxy need at least a point to stay alive in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot - depending on other league results Saturday - before playing in the league's final regular season game of 2007 at Chicago on Sunday.

L.A. (9-13-6) is only in a position to make the playoffs after rattling off five-straight wins while remaining unbeaten in six.

"I think what they have been doing is getting results," Arena said. "I think they have played a little bit better, I don't think they have played considerably better. I think sometimes when you get on a good little run where you have confidence, you get some breaks to go your way and that has been the case with the Galaxy. Along with that, timely goalkeeping, I think Joe Cannon has made some big saves during this win streak. Landon Donovan is also certainly playing his best soccer of the year."

Another side plot to Thursday's game is the possibility that David Beckham could make his first appearance with the team since suffering a knee injury in the SuperLiga final against Pachuca on Aug. 29.

"I don't know if there is any accuracy to that report (that Beckham could play) or not," Arena said. "We will have to react accordingly. If he plays I think its great. If he plays I hope he is playing for the right reasons and he is physically ready to go. Again, he is a player that has been out for a couple months. It will be interesting to see if they do put him on the field, and if they do, how effective he can be."

Beckham isn't the only veteran who has returned to training with defenders Abel Xavier and Chris Albright working themselves back into shape for L.A. But Galaxy coach Frank Yallop says regardless of who is healthy, he won't stray from the recipe that has brought the team success over the last three-plus weeks.

"I'm not going to just change the lineup with people coming back from injury," Yallop told MLSnet.com. "You can't do that with a team that's on a six-game unbeaten streak and has won five in a row. For me, it's a great message for people coming back that they have to work their way back onto the team."

The New York lineup could see some changes, however, as the team gears up for the playoffs. Players who would normally play may get a rest, while others who wouldn't, could see some time.

"I think we have to be smart if we have any players that we feel aren't fully fit," Arena said. "We either need to limit their minutes or not play them. Additionally, we have some other players that need to get a run. Strange things happen in the playoffs with injuries and suspensions so you have to change things real quick. We want to have a good showing on the field but we also want to make sure we have the right three, four, five players in a reserve role that are ready to play if need be in the playoffs."

Among the regulars who probably won't play are Claudio Reyna and Francis Doe, who are nursing injuries and Dema Kovalenko because of yellow card accumulation. Also, MVP candidate and the league's second leading scorer, Juan Pablo Angel, might see his minutes reduced even though he is just one goal down in the chase for the Golden Boot with 19 goals.

"He'll likely play unless we feel physically there is a reason why he shouldn't," Arena said. "There's a possibility along those lines."

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