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Red Bulls-Galaxy Preview

May 1, 2009 - 7:58 PM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

New York (1-4-2) at Los Angeles (0-1-4), 10:30 p.m. EDT

A last-minute meltdown sent the New York Red Bulls to one of the most stunning losses in their history. They'll attempt to rebound Saturday night when they face the Los Angeles Galaxy, the last team they defeated on the road in regular-season play nearly a year ago.

The Red Bulls (1-4-2) appeared headed for victory Sunday before two major defensive lapses led to goals in the final minute and stoppage time of a 3-2 home loss to D.C United.

"What happened to us (Sunday) is just unacceptable," Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel said. "We should have killed the game off, we should have won it.

"At the end of the day, you have to try to do your best every game. It's about the team, and right now, we're not getting the job done as a team. When we lose, we lose together, when we win, we win together. And (Sunday) was, I think, an embarrassing performance."

Now, New York will go on the road, where it is 1-11-7 in regular-season play in two seasons under coach Juan Carlos Osorio. However, he guided the club to its first MLS Cup final in November after it won a pair of playoff games as the visitor, and it won 2-1 at San Jose on Wednesday in a U.S. Open Cup qualifier.

The Red Bulls' last regular-season road victory came 2-1 at Los Angeles (0-1-4) last May 10. Since then, they're 0-10-6 in league play away from Giants Stadium.

New York, though, is 8-1-5 in its last 14 matches against Los Angeles, including a 2-1-3 mark at The Home Depot Center.

If the Bulls are going to continue their success against the Galaxy, they might need Angel to continue producing. The Colombian forward has two goals in the last three games after opening 2009 with a four-game drought.

He has four goals in four games against Los Angeles, including one in both meetings last year as New York took the season series 1-0-1.

The Galaxy are looking to remain unbeaten for a fourth consecutive game after using late second-half goals to rally for a pair of ties on the road.

Last Saturday, Landon Donovan netted a goal in the 82nd minute to help Los Angeles to a 1-all tie at Colorado. That came a week after Donovan's cross found the forehead of Bryan Jordan, who scored in the 76th minute of another 1-all tie in San Jose.

"There's two ways to look at it," Donovan said. "One is we haven't won a game yet, and the second is we're one of only a couple teams that have only lost once. We still feel good about where we are going but we have to start winning games, especially at home."

Donovan has factored in all six of the Galaxy's goals, scoring three and assisting on three. He has six goals and three assists in nine career games against New York.