Galaxy 1 - 2 Dynamo
Final
  for this game

Houston hosts L.A. in MLS Cup rematch

May 25, 2012 - 7:22 PM Houston, TX (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Galaxy will head to BBVA Compass Stadium to take on the Houston Dynamo on Saturday in a rematch of MLS Cup 2011.

Los Angeles undoubtedly wishes it could be brought back to last season given the club's atrocious start to the 2012 campaign. The Galaxy sit bottom of the Western Conference on 11 points, a far cry from their championship form that earned them the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup crown a year ago.

The Galaxy are coming off of a disappointing 3-2 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes at The Home Depot Center on Wednesday, a match that saw the home side throw away a two-goal lead with just 14 minutes remaining. Los Angeles has lost four of its last five, including a 1-0 defeat to Chivas USA in the Super Clasico last weekend.

"It's obviously disappointing, but I think the effort was there tonight," said David Beckham after Wednesday's match. "I think we battled the whole game so it's obviously a difficult one to lose. But I think overall we showed a lot of character tonight.

"I think if we had played like this against Chivas we would have won the game. It's another loss, obviously it's disappointing for us, but I think overall the character and the way we played was a plus tonight."

The Galaxy's 19 goals against is third-worst in the league this season behind Toronto FC and FC Dallas. Los Angeles has yet to keep a clean sheet in league play this term.

Bruce Arena's side will be without Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane for Saturday's tilt as they join their respective national teams, while Hector Jimenez will be unavailable as he serves a suspension after picking up a red card in the loss to San Jose.

Houston will be missing a key player through U.S. national team World Cup qualifiers as well - Geoff Cameron has been called up by Jurgen Klinsmann.

The Dynamo earned a point in their last outing, a 2-2 draw at Gillette Stadium against the New England Revolution last weekend. Houston surrendered the lead twice in that affair but battled back to earn a valuable point on the road.

"We came back twice which is good to see. It's been a tough stretch for us," said Dynamo boss Dominic Kinnear. "We played some real good stuff in the first half, and to go down a goal and get one back is good. Then I think we gave up a pretty silly goal, but we fought back hard to get back in the game.

"All credit to the guys. I think we scored in the 87th minute so their effort was fantastic [Saturday]."

Houston has yet to allow a goal at BBVA Compass Stadium, edging D.C. United in 1-0 win in the grand opening and following it up with a scoreless draw against the Portland Timbers.






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