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Seattle, L.A. put unbeaten streaks on the line

Jul 2, 2011 - 8:27 PM Carson, CA (Sports Network) - Los Angeles extended its undefeated run from six to 10 games when star Landon Donovan was on international duty with the United States, but coach Bruce Arena is glad to have him back.

Donovan expects to return to the lineup for the first time since late May when the Galaxy host Seattle Sounders FC on Monday night at The Home Depot Center.

"He's been gone for about a month, but hopefully we can get him back into the swing of things quicker," L.A. coach Bruce Arena said on Major League Soccer's website.

"We didn't win enough [without him], but we didn't lose any either."

Although L.A. extended its unbeaten streak without Donovan, three of the four results were draws. As a result, the Galaxy (9-2-8) now hold just a four-point lead over FC Dallas, which has played two fewer games, and Seattle (8-4-7).

L.A. has also maintained its streak recently without David Beckham, and likely will be without the former England captain against the Sounders. Beckham has a back injury that he described as a "slight stress fracture on the spine."

But in addition to the return of Donovan, former U.S. defender Gregg Berhalter recently made his season debut and will provide a boost, along with Donovan.

"Anytime you have the best player in the league returning to the team, it helps," Berhalter said. "We're excited to have him back. He's a big part of the team."

L.A. met Seattle on March 15 in the first match of the season, and the Galaxy won to improve their record against the Sounders to 5-1-1. L.A. won four games between the clubs last season, including two playoff matches.

But even with the return of Donovan, Arena has concerns at goalkeeper after he lost Donovan Ricketts to a fractured arm last week and backup Josh Saunders to a red card. Field player Mike Magee finished the match in goal, but L.A. will need a replacement against the Sounders.

Seattle is unbeaten in six straight league matches, and opened defense of its U.S. Open Cup title with a 2-1 win over the Kitsap Pumas on Tuesday. The two- time defending Open Cup champions will play L.A. next in mid-July.

Sounders FC has won their last three matches, including victories over the New England Revolution and Red Bull New York, to mark the team's best start after 17 games in its three years in MLS.

But with Monday's game marking the first of four road games over the next five league games, Seattle must continue to do well on the road - where it is 3-2-4 - or risk slipping off the pace in the Western Conference.