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Two of the West's best meet up at Rio Tinto

Mar 25, 2011 - 5:50 PM Sandy, UT (Sports Network) - Western Conference heavyweights will square off at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday as the Los Angeles Galaxy visits Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy claimed the Supporters' Shield last season for having the best record in Major League Soccer, while RSL finished just three points back of L.A. for the second best mark in MLS.

And with both teams being tabbed as serious contenders for the MLS Cup this season, Saturday gives both teams a chance to make an early statement.

Los Angeles opened the season with a 1-0 win at Seattle Sounders FC last Tuesday to kick off the MLS season, and followed that up with a 1-1 draw against the New England Revolution.

With star players like David Beckham and Landon Donovan on the field, it was a bit of a surprise that both of L.A.'s goals came courtesy of Brazilian midfielder Juninho.

The 22-year-old established himself as a key player in midfield for L.A. last season, making 25 regular-season appearances, but Donovan believes he is now starting to get more aggressive and that the Galaxy will benefit from it.

"We've encouraged him to be more aggressive, to take more chances going forward, shoot the ball more," Donovan told the club's official website. "He's done a great job contributing that way."

What is even more impressive for L.A. is the fact that the team has gotten off to a strong start with key players out, including goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, defender Omar Gonzalez and the biggest offseason acquisition made by the team, striker Juan Pablo Angel.

The former Red Bull New York striker made a substitute appearance against New England on Sunday and looks set to claim a place in the starting lineup, while Ricketts is still questionable with a hamstring injury and Gonzalez looks likely to return after battling a shoulder problem.

One player who L.A. will miss on Saturday for sure is Donovan, who will be away on international duty with United States, leaving Beckham to wear the captain's armband.

RSL also started its season well, earning a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes in difficult conditions at Buck Shaw Stadium.

The game saw wind, rain and cold temperatures make things difficult, but in the end it was a goal from Kyle Beckerman in the 64th minute that handed Jason Kreis' side all three points.

"It was difficult for us to possess the ball, and it was nearly impossible for us to get the ball in behind their back four because of the wind," Kreis told ESPN700 Sports after the match. "To have to battle back through a few things is character building for the group."

RSL will face a different challenge on Saturday with three key players, Arturo Alvarez, Will Johnson and Alvaro Saborio, each away on international duty, while injuries are also a problem with goalkeeper Nick Rimando battling a bone spur in his ankle and defender Jamison Olave suffering from a hamstring injury.