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Galaxy-Toronto FC Preview

Jun 25, 2010 - 5:48 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Los Angeles (10-1-2) at Toronto FC (5-4-2), 7:30 p.m. EDT

On the same day two of their biggest stars try to continue the United States' run at the World Cup, the MLS-best Los Angeles Galaxy will play on without their offensive leaders Saturday as they visit Toronto FC.

Even before the league's two-week World Cup break, Los Angeles had played four straight games without captain Landon Donovan and striker Edson Buddle, the MLS leaders in assists (nine) and goals (nine), respectively.

Donovan catapulted the U.S. into the knockout stage in South Africa with a dramatic stoppage-time goal in a 1-0 win over Algeria on Wednesday, and he'll lead Buddle and the rest of his American teammates against Ghana for a spot in the quarterfinals Saturday.

"He stepped up again. I was so happy for him. He deserves it," defender Todd Dunivant told the Galaxy's official website. "He's been playing world-class soccer for the last year and a half now, and he's totally being recognized now. People are realizing this guy is for real and one of top players in the world."

Donovan has helped the Galaxy (10-1-2) build a comfortable lead atop the Western Conference, one season after they reached the MLS Cup.

Los Angeles won its first three matches without Donovan and Buddle before suffering its first loss of the season in its last match, 1-0 to Real Salt Lake on June 9.

That snapped a 15-game unbeaten streak in the regular season that dated back to 2009, and RSL's goal was just the fourth conceded by the Galaxy and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts this year - easily a league low.

Los Angeles also remains without David Beckham (torn Achilles' tendon) and will try to bounce back without forward Mike Magee, expected to miss four to six weeks following sports hernia surgery.

"He's definitely going to be missed, but at the same time we have other players that can step in and fill that void," forward Tristan Bowen said.

Even with Donovan and Buddle playing, Toronto (5-4-2) silenced the Galaxy's potent attack in a 0-0 draw in Los Angeles on May 15.

That's part of a current five-game unbeaten streak that has featured three wins for Toronto, which has been especially tough at home. The club has outscored opponents 9-2 while going 4-0-1 at BMO Field.

Toronto salvaged a 0-0 draw with Kansas City in its last match on June 5 despite playing a man down for more than 60 minutes after defender Nick Garcia was sent off, resulting in a suspension for Saturday's match.

"The red card was a little unfortunate. We definitely could have gotten three points out of it," midfielder Nick LaBrocca told Toronto FC's official website. "We've done something remarkable in the last few weeks, we just have to keep building on it."

Star forward Dwayne De Rosario is one shy of Buddle for the MLS goals lead with eight, second-most in the league and three shy of his career high.