Breaking down the MLS Cup teams
No player in MLS history has gotten more attention than Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham, who has drawn huge crowds on the road and plenty of media attention for an attention-starved league.
But Beckham's five-year contract expires after this season, and nobody knows yet if he will re-sign, go back to Europe or retire at age 36.
It will be interesting to see what kind of send-off Beckham gets when the MLS Cup is settled Sunday (8 p.m. ESPN, Galavision) in a battle between the Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Here's a breakdown of the key matchups, players and intangibles in the league's biggest game:
Regular-season recap: Los Angeles: 19-5-10, 67 points, first in the Western Conference, Supporters Shield winner. Houston: 12-9-13, 49 points, second in the Eastern Conference. Los Angeles defeated Houston 1-0 on May 25 at the Home Depot Center, and the Dynamo won 3-1 on Oct. 23 at Houston.Goalkeeper: The Galaxy only gets to start one goalkeeper, but either Josh Saunders, the probable starter, or Jamaican international Donovan Ricketts, the 2010 Goalkeeper of the Year, probably would rate slightly better than Houston third-year pro Tally Hall #8212; who entered the season having played just 450 MLS minutes #8212; if only based on experience. All three have had strong seasons. Edge: GalaxyDefenders: Los Angeles sports MLS Defender of the Year Omar Gonzalez. Todd Dunivant also has had a good year for the league's stingiest defense. Geoff Cameron and Bobby Boswell lead the Houston back line. Edge: GalaxyMidfielders: If salary determined winners, this category would be no contest. Galaxy designated players Landon Donovan and David Beckham, the MLS Comeback Player of the Year, are supported by Mike Magee and the underrated Juninho. Donovan and Beckham joined Dunivant and Gonzalez on the league's Best XI this season. Houston will be without league MVP finalist and assist leader Brad Davis, who strained his right quadriceps in the Eastern Conference final.That will put more responsibility on the shoulders of Adam Moffat, Danny Cruz and Luiz Camargo. Davis was Houston's only representative on the Best XI. Edge: GalaxyForwards: Irish international Robbie Keane put on a show for the Galaxy in the Western Conference final against Real Salt Lake. Adam Cristman likely will replace the injured Chad Barrett up top. Houston's Brian Ching is one of the league's all-time best, though he has been slowed by injuries. Look for speedy Calen Carr to be substituted by rookie Will Bruin or Carlo Costly in the second half. Edge: HoustonCoaching: Both Houston's Dominic Kinnear and Los Angeles' Bruce Arena are going for their league-record third MLS Cup titles, but Arena, a former U.S. national team coach, was named league coach of the year for the third time Monday. Edge: GalaxyIntangibles: Considering the Galaxy is hosting the game at the Home Depot Center, this one is easy. Edge: GalaxyMost underrated player:The Dynamo's Geoff Cameron missed most of last season with an injury and Houston faltered. This season he's healthy, and the difference is clear. He can play just about anywhere, but look for him on the back line Sunday.Local connections: Houston has forward Calen Carr, traded by the Fire last spring for Dominic Oduro. The Galaxy has former Fire coach Dave Sarachan assisting Bruce Arena, plus Long Grove native Mike Magee has fine-tuned his scoring touch in the playoffs, and Naperville's Michael Stephens could be a second-half substitute. Former Fire forward Chad Barrett will miss the game for the Galaxy because of injury. Defender Dasan Robinson was wearing Fire red until July, when he was traded to Toronto and then Los Angeles.Schwarz's pick: The Western Conference was considered far better than the East all season, and Los Angeles clearly was the league's best team in the regular season. Couple the Galaxy's star power with the injury to Houston's Brad Davis and all signs point to a Los Angeles championship.#376; Follow Orrin Schwarz on Twitter @orrinsoccer.SOC31572659Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) battles Houston Dynamo defender Andre Hainault in their game last May. The two clubs meet with the MLS Cup on the line Sunday.Associated PressSOC