MLS

• Bottom feeders, L.A., N.E. aim to gain ground

  
  

  Carson, CA (Sports Network) - Two Major League Soccer clubs stuck in the bottom third of their respective conference tables square off on Saturday when the Los Angeles Galaxy host the New England Revolution at The Home Depot Center.

  The Galaxy (3-3-9) are actually coming off an impressive 1-0 win over league leading Houston in their last league match on Sunday.

  "I thought for the first time this year our central backs played extremely well over 90 minutes," Los Angeles coach Bruce Arena said. "They were pretty consistent. They didn't make any mistakes. They controlled the line very well, and organized the team extremely well. To me, it was all about our central backs, the start of the game was better. We consistently at home have given up the first goal, played with 10 players and done all the things you do to lose games.

  Fortunately, we got a point out of a lot of them. We corrected those mistakes [vs.

  Houston]. We didn't put ourselves behind the eight ball and chase the game." The Galaxy are hoping a busy July schedule will propel them right back into playoff contention.

  "We talked about trying to get ahead of in games, and play the game on our terms while also doing a better job in reacting to goals against us if we do fall behind," L.A.'s Eddie Lewis said. "But in general, it was a very good win for us. It is another building block for us as we move on in the season." New England (4-4-4), on the other hand, is coming off a 3-1 loss in its last league fixture on June 13 at Kansas City. The team has been successful as of late, however, with two wins in three tries in SuperLiga action.

  "I don't know if you guys have looked at our bench, but it's looking pretty slim.

  We only have three or four guys. Rosters were cut this year and it's become a lot more difficult on us," said defender Jeff Larentowicz. "At this point, we're playing in essentially three different competitions right now so we're going to have four or five games in two weeks. It's a lot of games with half the roster." The Revs will be without defender Jay Heaps because of his participation in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, while defender Chris Albright, midfielders Mauricio Castro, Shalrie Joseph and Steve Ralston, and forward Taylor Twellman are out with injuries.

  Defenders Kevin Alston and Gabriel Badilla are questionable with knocks of their own.

  "We're already bare-bones coming into the game," Revolution defender Chris Tierney said. "What did we have, 15 guys? We've had so many games. Guys are struggling with knocks and we just can't take risks. If someone pulls something, they have to come out. There's nothing we can do about it." TheGalaxywill bewithout goalkeeperDonovan Ricketts because of international duty and defenders Sean Franklin and Julian Valentin because of injury.

  MidfielderDema Kovalenkoand defender Yohance Marshall are questionable and goalkeeper Josh Saunders is probable.

  07/03 22:39:13 ET