DC United 2009 A-to-Z: Los Angeles in the opener

March 19, 3:25 PMWashington Soccer ExaminerEd Morgans

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On paper and historically, Sunday’s season-opening matchup between DC United and the Los Angeles Galaxy would seem to be a big-time way to start the season. The clubs have met twice in the MLS Cup Final, with United winning both (1996 and 1999). The teams have combined to win six MLS Cups (United four, Galaxy two), and for much of Major League Soccer’s history, you couldn’t have a final without one of the two crashing the party. Eight of the first 10 MLS Cup finals featured either United or the Galaxy (if not both).

Then there’s the Galaxy with David Beckham. ... Cough. Oops. Ack.

That’s right, Beckham won’t be there Sunday, because he’s playing out the Serie A season at AC Milan. And in reality, this game is a far cry from the titanic clashes of the past. Even though there’s a bit of a rivalry there, the teams enter the 2009 season with more questions than answers. The Galaxy made a string of offseason acquisitions after missing the playoffs in 2008. United made a host of preseason acquisitions prior to the 2008 season, saw just about none of them work out, and have tried to remake their team again in 2009.

Some United fans I talk to think this isn’t going to be much of a good season, and I’ll readily admit I don’t think United is going to make the playoffs. Some Galaxy fans I’ve talked to aren’t optimistic about their team, either - what with a roster that includes players such as Tony Sanneh, Chris Klein, Jovan Kirovski, and Dema Kovalenko. If this were 2003, perhaps the Galaxy would have something.

Specifically for Sunday, the Galaxy are without defenders Todd Dunivant and Leonard Griffin, who have been ruled out with injuries. Forward Edson Buddle and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts are listed as questionable. Eddie Lewis (hamstring injury) is probable, having returned to training on Wednesday. Forward Landon Donovan is back, however, and will have nearly two weeks of training under his belt with the Galaxy before the opener after having played with Bayern Munich in Germany on loan during the winter.

Last season, if you wanted goals in a soccer game, a Galaxy game was the one to watch. Galaxy matches averaged nearly 4 goals per game, with Los Angeles netting 55 while giving up 62 in 30 games. By contrast, in what was touted as a porous defensive year for United - the black-and-red gave up 51 goals (and scored 43). Much of the Galaxy’s defensive depth is very young, and perhaps like United, they are going to have to win games by outscoring people, rather than winning the odd 1-0 nail-biter.

Offensively, the Galaxy have their two top leading goal scorers from last year returning in Donovan (20 goals - league best) and Buddle (15 goals), if he plays. United’s top two scorers from last year also return and also notched double figures - Luciano Emilio netted 11 and Jaime Moreno 10. Just as with the Galaxy, there are many defensive questions for United entering the season. Goalkeeper Louis Crayton is listed as questionable with a hip flexor strain. If he can’t go, either Josh Wicks (acquired from the Galaxy recently) or rookie Milos Kocic would get the start. Midfielders Fred and Santino Quaranta, both of whom have hamstring injuries, are listed as questionable.

United are 14-19-4 vs. the Galaxy all-time in all competitions; 12-16-4 in MLS regular season play. Last year, the teams split a pair of blowouts - with United overwhelming the Galaxy on a hot, humid summer afternoon at RFK Stadium, 4-1, while the Galaxy waxed United in LA, 5-2.

Sunday's match kicks off at 3 p.m. Eastern and will be televised locally by Comcast SportsNet, and nationally in Spanish on Telefutura.

For more information about the Galaxy, check out Richard Manfredi's Examiner site about the team.