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The Los Angeles Galaxy and Houston Dynamo were two of the best teams in MLS all season, and on Friday night they will play for the right to play in and be the favorite in the 2009 MLS Cup Final. The Western Conference Final (11pm, ESPN2) features some of the league's best talent, and is loaded with juicy individual match-ups both on the field and on the sideline.
With star attacking players, stingy defenses and top-notch goalkeepers, the Galaxy-Dynamo Western Conference final has the quality of an MLS Cup final, but only one of these teams will be able to vie for their third MLS Cup title.
So what match-ups will go the furthest in determining who wins this highly-anticipated battle? Here is a closer look at the match-up:
TOP MATCH-UPS TO WATCH
Edson Buddle vs. Geoff Cameron. Buddle was very active in the Chivas USA series and looks like he's feeling good. He's got a deceptive burst of speed and is a better passer of the ball than people realize. Cameron is capable of shutting Buddle down, and if he does, the Galaxy attack will struggle.
Landon Donovan vs. Andrew Hainault. Hainault held his own against the speedy Steve Zakuani in the first round, but Donovan presents entirely different problems. Donovan's penchant for taking runs into the middle of the field will mean that Hainault will need his share of help to contain the U.S. national team star.
David Beckham vs. Ricardo Clark. The images of Beckham dropping perfect long passes from deep in midfield was was on of the more memorable images of the first-round victory vs. Chivas USA and it will be up to Clark to stop Beckham from doing that again. Clark did well to neutralize Freddie Ljungberg in the first round, but he needs to be even more careful about surrendering free kicks with Beckham around.
Brian Ching vs. Gregg Berhalter. These two veterans will be involved in one of the key battles of the final, with Ching serving as the target man for Houston's attack. Whether its Berhalter or Omar Gonzalez, the Galaxy need somebody to make Ching's job tougher because if he is allowed to set up in the penalty area Houston will find away to capitalize.
Brad Davis vs. Sean Franklin. These aren't superstars, but they're two of the better wing players in the league and their match-up should be one of the more entertaining ones of Friday night. Franklin's speed and athleticism should help him keep close tabs on Davis, who is dangerous with his crossing and his left-footed shot. Chris Klein will need to provide some help as well.
Stuart Holden vs. Dema Kovalenko. Holden didn't quite have the series expected of him against Seattle, but he could get loose against LA, where Kovalenko has been known to run himself out of position. Kovalenko was very effective in providing pressure all over midfield, but his focus must be on containing Holden, who will make the most of space given to him.
Bruce Arena vs. Dom Kinnear. These two multiple MLS Cup winners will be locked in what should be a tight tactical battle that could be decided by the second-half substitutions and tactical changes made in the final 30 minutes of the match.
X-FACTORS
Dom Oduro and Mike Magee. The disappointing contributions of Luis Angel Landin have been tempered this post-season by the surprising efforts of Oduro, who has looked both dangerous and useful playing alongside Ching. He's got the type of speed that causes Los Angeles problems, but his finishing has always been the question. For LA, Magee is a skillful and slick player who puts himself in good positions and will finish any chances that fall at his feet. Houston's centerback tandem of Cameron and Bobby Boswell is very tough and unlikely to make too many mistakes, but if they do, look for Magee to pounce.
OUTLOOK
On paper, the Dynamo might be considered the favorite, but the way the Galaxy has played as a unit all season coupled with its home-field advantage, gives Los Angeles the edge. Houston's offense has sputtered for some time, and Los Angeles doesn't usually give up many chances. Conversely, the tandem of Landon Donovan and David Beckham has the talent to turn a game on its ear they showed us in the second match vs. Chivas USA that they can turn it on when needed. Expect a defensive battle, but the Galaxy will triumph in a 1-0 nail biter.
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What do you think of Friday's Western Conference Final? See the Galaxy taking it, or do you think Houston is strong enough to pull off the road victory?
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