• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Galaxy-United Preview

Aug 21, 2009 - 5:24 PM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (8-4-10) at D.C. (6-5-10), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Los Angeles Galaxy have proven they can play well without David Beckham, but they should be anxious to have him back in the lineup in the place where he played in his first MLS match.

The English superstar will return from a one-game suspension as the Galaxy try to stretch their road unbeaten streak to six matches Saturday night against struggling D.C. United.

Beckham's first appearance with Los Angeles (8-4-10) in an MLS match was at RFK Stadium on Aug. 9, 2007 when he entered as a substitute in a 1-0 loss. In last year's visit, the Galaxy lost 4-1.

"You know I've got fond memories of playing in D.C.," Beckham said. "It was my MLS debut, so a great fan base there. It's always a great atmosphere there."

The Galaxy won 2-0 at Chicago on Wednesday without Beckham, who was suspended for a red card in last Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Seattle in which he committed a harsh tackle on midfielder Peter Vagenas.

Los Angeles didn't need Beckham against the Fire as Mike Magee and Landon Donovan scored and the defense did not allow a shot on goal. The Galaxy are 4-0-1 in their last five road matches.

"Not having David on the field hurts us for sure. The guys that played tonight did a great job, we kept them from having a shot on goal. It was a good day for us," Donovan said.

The Galaxy moved into second place in the Western Conference, two points ahead of Seattle. Los Angeles has scored a West-leading 18 goals on the road.

"They're probably the hottest team as of late as far as stretches of wins," D.C. coach Tom Soehn said. "They're pretty organized, they're pretty determined not to let you score. When it breaks down, they get behind the ball. They're doing all the little things that you need to do to be successful."

Soehn's club will play its second MLS match at home since June 13. The travel-heavy schedule has taken its toll with United (6-5-10) going 1-3-3 in its last seven games in league play.

D.C. is 7-0-4 at RFK to join Columbus as the only unbeaten teams at home this year.

United has totaled 28 points for fourth place in the Eastern Conference and is trying to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason in 2008 for the first time in six seasons.

This is the second meeting this year between the clubs that met for the inaugural MLS Cup in 1996 when United prevailed. D.C. blew a two-goal lead March 22 as Donovan scored twice in the final 10 minutes in a 2-2 tie in the season opener for both teams.