The best feet didn't exactly come forward in the first match.
In this one, they'd better.
The Galaxy and Chivas USA meet this afternoon with the season on the line for both clubs at Home Depot Center. The winner - and there will be one this time - advances to the Western Conference final.
The 2-2 tie in the first game, a home game for Chivas, was that high-scoring only because of wayward kicks that were hardly playoff worthy.
Afterward, Galaxy coach Bruce Arena couldn't help but look ahead.
"It creates a heck of a second game in this series," he said.
The Galaxy, the regular-season winner of the Western Conference, is seeking a third MLS Cup championship.
Chivas, in its fourth consecutive playoff appearance, is looking to get out of the first round for the first time. The Goats have won only once in their seven postseason encounters.
They know what's on the line.
"It means that you've got to leave everything on the field," Chivas midfielder Paulo Nagamura said. "From the first minute you've got to be prepared for a battle, you've got to be willing to give everything for your teammates.
"The team with less mistakes will probably win the game."
Which means they pretty much tied in that department in the opener, when Mike Magee and Landon Donovan of the Galaxy converted miscues and Chivas' Maykel Galindo took advantage of a lazy pass to score the tying goal.
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Again today, Galindo could be the deciding factor. The defector from Cuba is now rounding into form after three abdominal operations in the past year, though he came on as a halftime substitute last week.
He might have earned the starting role alongside either Maicon Santos or Justin Braun for today's match.
"That's the real Galindo we know from a couple years ago," Chivas coach Preki said. "He still has it, and I know he still has it. Now is the time for him to bring it on."
Galindo, who had 12 goals and five assists in 2007, started only 15 games this season and scored four goals.
But he was the factor that helped Chivas hold a 6-3 shot advantage in the second half of Game 1.
"If we play like we did in the second half I like our chances," Chivas defender Ante Jazic said. "Maykel came in, he was a boost, and he changed the game for us."
But both Arena and Preki must be wary about their three allotted subs. If the game ends in a tie score after a 30-minute overtime, the winner will be determined by penalty kicks and only the players on the field at the end are eligible to take them.
"We have to be very aggressive in the second game," Galindo said. "They were very aggressive against us and hopefully we can take those three points in the next game."
The Galaxy, who would be at home if they advance to the Western final, have surprised even themselves with their remarkable turnaround. A year ago, they tied San Jose for the worst record in the league (8-13-9) and allowed 62 goals.
This year, they were a point away from the best record and allowed only 31 goals.
Chivas, which also allowed only 31 goals, arrives today with newly crowned Goalkeeper of the Year Zach Thornton as its backstop. But it was Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts who made two huge stops on Santos and Nagamura in the second half last week.
The most obvious tactical battle in the first game was the way Chivas opened the game, with midfielder Michael Lahoud shadowing Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, prompting Arena to have Beckham and midfielder Chris Birchall switch sides. Still, Beckham had a quiet day.
But tactics might play only a side role today, particularly if the game goes into an energy-sapping overtime.
"You can probably double the anticipation," Magee said. "It was a two-game series, now it's one."
One team could be only a foot away from advancing.
From: Whittier Daily News