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Galaxy-Revolution Preview

Aug 7, 2009 - 8:34 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Los Angeles (6-3-10) at New England (6-5-6), 6:00 p.m. EDT

While David Beckham is still attracting most of the attention, the Los Angeles Galaxy continue to inch up the Western Conference standings.

It won't be easy for them to continue their charge Saturday, however, as the host New England Revolution look to extend their unbeaten streak to five and improve their own positioning in the East.

Los Angeles (6-3-10) hasn't lost in MLS play in an even longer span, winning four straight before settling for a 1-1 tie at Kansas City on July 25. That stretch included a 1-0 home win over the Revolution on July 4, the first regular-season victory for the Galaxy against New England in 10 meetings.

Beckham has since rejoined Los Angeles after playing on loan for AC Milan, bringing with him plenty of controversy after team captain Landon Donovan questioned his commitment and leadership in a book.

Beckham assisted on Donovan's goal in the 1-1 draw against the Wizards, but still frequently drew boos during last Saturday's 2-1 exhibition loss to FC Barcelona at the Rose Bowl.

"It still is a circus," Beckham told the league's official Web site. "That's what it is. You just have to get on with it and do your work on the training field, then everything fits into place.

"It's important we continue the hard work that's got us in the position we're in now. We just need to concentrate and focus on the games we've got coming up and get as many points on the board as possible."

The Galaxy are in third place in the crowded West, one point behind Seattle but one point ahead of Chivas USA and Colorado.

New England (6-5-6) has more work to do if it hopes to reach the playoffs for the eighth straight year. The Revs sit in fifth place in the East, but they have multiple games in hand on every team they're chasing.

They've been making up ground lately, going 2-0-2 in their last four league contests. They're also 4-1-3 at Gillette Stadium, although they would have liked a better result than a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC last Saturday.

The Toronto goal was the first allowed by the Revs since the loss to the Galaxy, as they compiled a club-record 385-minute scoreless streak in between.

"We're making good decisions," Revs coach Steve Nicol said. "If we make a mistake, there's somebody there to clean up. At the present time, we're getting enough balls in the box (offensively), but not at the end of it."

They did, however, receive a promising sign as striker Edgaras Jankauskas scored his first MLS goal to tie the game in his first start with New England.

The Revs continue to play without injured star striker Taylor Twellman. The Galaxy could be missing a pair of key players, as Edson Buddle and Alecko Eskandarian are questionable along with goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts due to injuries.

Nicol will miss the match due to suspension after he was sent off at the end of the Toronto game.

"Obviously, I won't be there and I'm disappointed in that, but that's that and I won't be there," Nicol said.