It's Beckham Time

Revs Can Regain First Against LA

August 30, 2008

By Sean Donahue

Who: Los Angeles Galaxy at New England Revolution
What: MLS Regular Season
Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (TV38/HDNet)

With David Beckham and the Los Angeles Galaxy headed to Foxboro, the Revs have a chance to turn some heads with an impressive performance in front one of the largest crowds of the season. More than just winning over some potential new fans is at stake, however, as the Revs sit tied atop the Eastern Conference Standings with an identical 11-6-4 record to the Columbus Crew.

David Beckham and the LA Galaxy invade Foxboro Saturday. (CHRIS ADUAMA/aduama.com)

After losing three games in a row in mid-August, the Revs seemed to turn things around with a 2-1 win at home over D.C. United and a 1-1 draw on the road against Toronto. Injuries continued to pile up, however, and on Tuesday the Revs fell 2-1 in Trinidad to Joe Public F.C. in a lackluster effort to open up their run in the 2008 CONCACAF Champions League.

Forwards Kheli Dube and Adam Cristman are both still unavailable due to injuries, while Kenny Mansally is trying to regain fitness after suffering a right ankle sprain. Goalkeeper Matt Reis is still a question mark, as is Steve Ralston, who suffered from back spasms on Tuesday. Chris Albright is expected to be a game time decision as well, but with the arrival of Costa Rican international defender Gabriel Badilla, it seems likely Badilla will get the start with Albright not 100 percent.

Taylor Twellman should again get the start up top and with the midfield and defense relatively healthy, the major issue is who partners with Twellman up top. Ralston is the leading option if available, but if he isn't Khano Smith may get another shot at playing forward where he started in the Revs 4-0 loss to San Jose on August 16.

Badilla and the rest of the Revolution defense will face a tough test against a Gallaxy offense lead by Beckham, Landon Donovan, and Edson Buddle. Despite sitting in 5th place in the Western Conference, the Galaxy led the league with 40 goals.