Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy are struggling this season.

They are in need of a return to scoring form as they take on Peter Vermes' Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

"The result [on Wednesday against Philadelphia] is very disappointing," Arena told reporters this week. " We should have won this game by two or three goals.  We missed a bunch of chances, the referee missed the penalty on the goalkeeper, we had plenty of chances to get to 2-0.  We made a mistake at the end and it cost us a goal, but having said that, we were certainly in position to score two or three goals. But it is disappointing."

The Galaxy are on a three-game winless streak, with a 2-1 defeat to FC Dallas and 1-1 draws against the top two teams in the MLS Eastern Conference: the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union.

For Arena, a victory against the Union would have brought fresh wind in the sails of the G's.

"This is a game where we controlled the game and played pretty well, so there was no carry over," Arena said. "It was a game where we should have had three points.  Playing New York had nothing to do with the result tonight.  This is a game where we had too many chances not to have more to show for it."

Landon Donovan leads the team in goals with five this season, and must produce on Saturday for the Galaxy to gain an edge on their rivals in the ever-competitive MLS Western Conference.

"It's being more assertive and more aggressive but the ball sometimes needs to fall your way, and then when you get your chances you just have to take them," Donovan said. "Tonight one popped loose and I took it, but I’m being more aggressive and putting myself in spots where I can be dangerous and our forwards are doing a really good job of occupying defenders and giving me spots to make plays."

As for Sporting, they are at the bottom of the league, with a 1-4-1 record (four points) and are carrying a three-game losing streak.

Kei Kamara did he share of damage against the Galaxy last season and he will look to do the same this year. He leads the team, along with Teal Bunbury, in goals with three and is tied with Milos Stojcev in assists with two this season.

The play of Omar Bravo makes Sporting very dangerous. Do not let the record of this team deceive you: Sporting is very dangerous when Bravo gets his touches on the ball. He has two goals this season and will look to add to his collection against David Beckham and crew.

Opposing team defenses have had their way with the Galaxy this year, and therefore an area to pay close attention to is the Sporting back line of Matt Bedler, Roger Espinoza, Julio Cesar and Aurelien Collin. This is a back line capable of neutralizing a Galaxy attack susceptible to poor finishing.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has a 1-4-1 record, with a 62.9 percent save percentage, a 2.17 goals against average and 22 saves to his tally. His counterpart, LA goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, has a 3-1-4 record, a 79.3 percent save percentage, a 0.75 GAA and 23 stops.

With midfielder David Beckham getting some well-needed rest on Wednesday, it will be important that Galaxy's main provider connects on his set pieces off the long ball. Beckham leads the team with five assists this season. Do not be surprised if it's another go with the set piece slot machine once again for the Galaxy's No. 23.

Juan Pablo Angel has not lived up to expectations, with only one goal to show for it. Neither have Chad Barrett or Juninho, who have just two goals this season. Landon Donovan cannot do this alone. The No. 10 in the white strip is not the team's bailout package. The Galaxy will need to bail themselves out of their lack of form as a team.

Increased production will definitely take slack off the back line of Omar Gonzalez, A.J. DeLaGarza, Sean Franklin and Todd Dunivant. The passing and redistribution was there on Wednesday, but the defense cannot expect to hold on to a 1-0 lead if they have shown time and time again that they cannot. Consolidation should motivate the defense to dispossess Bravo and Kamara from  getting open and creating chances.

Prediction:
Someone is going to be Chicken Thief No. 3 between Bravo and Kamara, who used to play college ball at Cal State Dominguez Hills. (Mind you, a different field, but close to the pitch at Victoria Street). Nonetheless, the Galaxy are capable of snapping out of a lack of form. Watch for Beckham and Donovan to up the ante.

Los Angeles Galaxy 2, Sporting Kansas City 1

The match will televised locally by Fox Sports West. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET.

Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

Source: Click Here