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Sounders-Galaxy Preview

Aug 14, 2009 - 7:51 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Seattle (7-5-8) at Los Angeles (7-3-10), 11:00 p.m. EDT

No MLS team has been able to stop the Los Angeles Galaxy lately, but perhaps the swine flu will.

Star striker Landon Donovan's status is in doubt for Saturday's game against visiting Seattle Sounders FC because of the virus, and his potential absence could slow the Galaxy as they seek to extend their unbeaten streak in league play to seven.

Donovan, the team leader with nine goals, said he felt sluggish while playing for the U.S. national team in a World Cup qualifier at Mexico this week, and he tested positive for the H1N1 virus. While the symptoms have not been severe and he's no longer contagious, it's still unclear whether he will play Saturday.

"We're still hoping he'll be available and ready to go," team spokesman Justin Pearson said. "Even Landon said it hasn't hit him as hard as the normal flus have hit him."

The team captain has been a vital presence during Los Angeles' surge, having scored a goal in each of the Galaxy's last three MLS games, including the first tally in a 2-1 win at New England last Saturday.

Los Angeles (7-3-10) has gone 5-0-1 in its last six to move into second place in the Western Conference, and the club can take solace that it won its final two games last month when Donovan was in South Africa at the Confederations Cup.

"We're in a good position now so it's just important that we continue," midfielder David Beckham said.

The Galaxy have other injury problems, however, with forwards Alecko Eskandarian and Edson Buddle both questionable after missing last week's game.

They will have Beckham, who seems to be finally settling in after Donovan questioned his commitment to the team in a book before Beckham returned from AC Milan.

"No one wants to hear those things about them, especially through a book," Donovan said. "He's taken it like a man and he's done a great job of moving past it and I can't say a lot of people would have done that."

Fourth-place Seattle (7-5-8) can pass the Galaxy in the standings with a victory, but the Sounders have one victory in nine road matches this year. They lost 1-0 at Real Salt Lake last Saturday, the third straight time they have been shut out in MLS play.

"This is when people's true colors will show. Definitely when you're struggling people are a bit more agitated," defender James Riley told the league's official Web site. "Obviously when you're winning things are good. It's just a refocus - if everyone plays 20 percent better then collectively we'll be fine."

The club-record, 314-minute scoreless streak has come after the team had scored 11 goals in its previous five games.

"The difference has been effort," coach Sigi Schmid said. "We need all 11 guys to work and sacrifice."

The Sounders and Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw in Seattle on May 10 in their initial meeting as MLS rivals.