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Galaxy-Revolution Preview

Jul 9, 2010 - 6:57 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (11-1-3) at New England (3-9-2), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle quickly displayed some of what was to come for the Los Angeles Galaxy this year when they connected for a goal in their season opener against the New England Revolution.

More than three months later, neither player is nearly as fresh, and Donovan may be in line for a much-needed break as the league-leading Galaxy visit the faltering Revolution on Saturday night.

Buddle's header off Donovan's free kick in the sixth minute gave Los Angeles (11-1-3) a 1-0 win over New England on March 27. Buddle leads MLS with 10 goals, and Donovan is first with 10 assists even though both players played for the U.S. national team at the World Cup.

Buddle and Donovan are coming off their first game with Los Angeles since their stint in South Africa, helping the Galaxy beat Seattle 3-1 on Sunday. Buddle scored before being taken out in the 62nd minute due to fatigue, and Donovan played all 90 minutes despite a minor hamstring injury.

Buddle isn't expected to get any time off. He played 39 minutes at the World Cup, and coach Bruce Arena wants him back in match shape. Donovan, meanwhile, may not make the trip to New England after playing extensively in three group stage games and an elimination loss to Ghana in extra time.

"If he needs some time off, we're going to give him some time off," Arena said. "That may be a decision we make this week. There's a chance he won't go to New England."

But Donovan believes Los Angeles can handle his absence. He's seen a more confident Galaxy team than the one he left in May for World Cup training.

"We seem a little more mature," Donovan said. "I think we're starting to pass better, to move better. The guys in the midfield look great. We're just getting more confident."

Even without Donovan, Los Angeles should pose problems for a New England team that lost 5-0 to Real Lake on July 2. The Revolution, tied for last in the league with 11 points, have surrendered nine goals while losing three straight.

New England has also gone 280 minutes without scoring. The Revolution have been shut out in five of their last six contests, and now face the top defense in the league - Los Angeles has surrendered five goals in 15 games.

But New England, in danger of missing the postseason for the first time in 10 years, is eager to rebound from a humbling defeat.

"We're determined," midfielder Chris Tierney told the Revolution's official website. "We're fed up with results not going our way, so I think there was a little extra bite in training (this past week)."