Galaxy-Earthquakes Preview

The Los Angeles Galaxy are 13 points behind the Western Conference-leading San Jose Earthquakes, but the gap may not seem as insurmountable as it did a few weeks earlier.

Los Angeles will go for a fourth straight win Saturday night when it visits San Jose.

"I think we're confident right now," star Landon Donovan told the Galaxy's official website.

Donovan has three goals and two assists over the past two games to help Los Angeles overcome its slow start.

The Galaxy (6-8-2) have won a season-high three in a row to move into fifth place in the West. However, to get any closer to the top, they'll have to defeat an Earthquakes team which enters Saturday with the top record in MLS and a league-best goal differential of plus-12.

San Jose (10-3-3) has won its last two MLS games, with Chris Wondolowski scoring in both to push his league lead to 13 goals.

Last Saturday's 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake moved the club in front of RSL for the conference lead.

"Another good win for us," said Alan Gordon, who scored his fifth goal in nine games this season. "It's been a common theme and we're used to it. It's kind of crazy, but we're rolling right now."

The Earthquakes are back on the pitch after being eliminated from the U.S. Open Cup with a 1-0 loss to Seattle on Tuesday. It was only the second match in any competition this year they've failed to score.

The defending MLS champion Galaxy are coming off a 3-0 win over Vancouver last Saturday. Robbie Keane scored in his return after competing with Ireland in the European Championships.

Josh Saunders only had to make two saves to win his fifth straight start. He's been in net for the last three games after undergoing treatment under the league's substance-abuse policy.

"We're playing well and the guys are responding to what we're doing," Donovan said. "Every guy is making plays not only for himself, but for the next guy. When you have a team with the talent we have, if you get the stuff right, there's going to be some good nights."

The only disappointing news for Los Angeles this week was the announcement that David Beckham was left off England's roster for the London Olympics.

While Beckham played in the lone meeting this season with San Jose, Donovan and Wondolowski were both with the U.S. national squad as the Earthquakes won 3-2 on May 23. San Jose scored three unanswered goals in the second half, including the winner in stoppage time.

The Galaxy are 0-3-2 in their last five visits to San Jose and have not scored there in 205 consecutive minutes.

The Earthquakes are 4-1-2 at home this season, outscoring opponents 14-8.