Galaxy will try to take advantage of tired Dynamo

Apr 6, 2007, 22:25 GMT

Houston, TX - The Houston Dynamo will begin their Major League Soccer title defense on Sunday when they welcome Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy at 7 p.m. at Robertson Stadium, here.

The last time that the Dynamo were on the pitch in a Major League Soccer match, the team celebrated the championship with a 4-3 penalty kick shootout victory over the New England Revolution.

'It is going to be difficult because, as defending champs, everyone is trying to get you,' Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. 'I think the most important thing for us will be the attitude that we bring. Knowing these guys pretty well, it will be difficult for us this year, but we have a good group of guys. The foundation is good enough for us to have another successful season this year.'

As for the Galaxy, they are hoping to get back into the form they were two seasons ago when they won the MLS championship. Last season was a major disappointment after failing to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in team history.

The big offseason pickup for the Galaxy was the signing of David Beckham. However, the superstar will not join the club until mid-July due to his commitment with Real Madrid in La Liga.

'We will be a good exciting team to watch,' said Galaxy head coach Frank Yallop said. 'I feel pretty confident that the guys are going to focus and try not to make the signing in the middle of the year really take away from what we are doing as a club. It really is all about the Galaxy. It is not a one-man show like we have said with Landon and with David joining it is the same thing.'

Houston has a slight advantage on most teams headed into the season because it has been playing meaningful games since mid-February with its participation in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. However, the club could also have tired legs after being knocked out of the tournament Thursday night due to a dominating performance from Pachuca FC and forward Christian Gimenez.

Major League Soccer's last team in the tourney held a 2-0 aggregated lead heading into the match, but fell 5-2 in extra time to lose 5-4 on aggregate.

Sunday will be the first of three meetings between the Galaxy and Dynamo this season, however, the way the schedule works out, they will not see each other again for five months. The next scheduled encounter is not until Sept. 16 at The Home Depot Center, before concluding the season set two weeks later back in Texas.

This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the two clubs in league action with Los Angeles only picking up full points once.

On the injury front, the defending champs will be without midfielder Ricardo Clark, while the biggest loss for the Galaxy also comes in the middle of the field as Peter Vagenas is forced to watch with a neck setback.

© 2007 The Sports Network