Galaxy still clinging to playoff dreams

CARSON, Calif. -- The term parity is often used to describe the balance in MLS. In other leagues, when two teams that are at the bottom of their respective conferences meet this late in the season, it's chalked up as a meaningless game. However, both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Kansas City Wizards are just barely on the outside of the playoff picture, and win for either in Saturday afternoon matchup at Arrowhead Stadium could put either team right back in the hunt.

"We're at that point in the season where we have to start putting points together. Kansas City is in the same position," said Chris Klein. "I think the time is now for us really. Going into Kansas City is a tough game, but hopefully we can go in there and impose our will on them."

That is the task that faces the Galaxy as they head to the road to play Kansas City. While the Wizards have struggled lately, LA won't be taking them lightly. There are still plenty of quality players on their team that can cause trouble.

"Jimmy Conrad is having an all-star season, (Kevin) Hartman has been good in goal," said Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena. "The combination of (Josh) Wolff and (Davy) Arnaud and (Claudio) Lopez certainly makes for some good attacking options."

One possible advantage that the Galaxy could have heading into the weekend is that Arena was an analyst for Kansas City's local TV broadcasts earlier in the year. Arena, however, was quick to downplay that role.

"One would think that would help, but certainly I know all the teams in the league. I'm just a little more familiar with the names (in Kansas City)," said Arena. "It doesn't take long during an MLS season to figure out each and every team. Certainly my experience in Kansas City helps a little bit, but I don't think it's a factor in the game."

There will be one definite leveler over the weekend. Because of the draw of David Beckham and the Galaxy, the game has been moved from CommunityAmerica Ballpark to Arrowhead Stadium in order to meet the ticket demand. It will be the first time this season that Kansas City has played at Arrowhead, and LA sees that as a potential advantage.

"The field becomes a better issue for us. I haven't been to the ballpark there, but Arrowhead will be bigger," said Klein. "There will be more space for both teams to play. Hopefully that will benefit us."

While the visit of Beckham is the main reason why the match is being moved into a larger arena, it still remains unclear whether he'll be available to play.

The Galaxy were without four regular starters this week in training because of World Cup qualifying. Beckham himself played sparingly in England's two qualifiers, but faced a grueling travel schedule to get back from Croatia. In addition, Ante Jazic is flying in from Mexico. Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis have the shortest flights as the U.S. played in Chicago on Wednesday, but Donovan went the full 90 minutes, leaving his status in question as well.

Arena is preparing for the worst-case scenario.

"We won't know anything until (our internationals) show up in Kansas City on Friday," said Arena. "It's hard to tell right now if we'll be able to utilize one of them, all of them, or whatever combination. We've gone a whole week of training without them here, so we might as well plan on not having them."

The Galaxy are unquestionably a different team with the like of Beckham and Donovan roaming the field. It also gives Arena more options off of the bench should changes be needed during the game. The road has been less than kind to the Galaxy this season, but perhaps a trip to face a struggling Kansas City side is exactly what they need to make a late-season playoff push.