Bruce Arena's Los Angeles Galaxy have an accomplished opponent on their hands in the Seattle Sounders in the first and second legs of the 2010 Major League Soccer Western Conference Semifinals.

“Let’s face it,” Arena said over the week, “there are no secrets at this point. We all know each other, we’ve seen each other play throughout the season. We’re well aware of the qualities of the Sounders, and I’m sure they’re well aware of our qualities as well."

“I think they’ve got a good balance in their attack, and they’re been pretty solid defensively. Their speed on the flanks has been dangerous for them and they have two guys in front of the goal who can finish off plays."

“They’ve been a well-balanced team and they've been able to have a little continuity in their lineup. In our case, that hasn’t happened basically all year. That’s another reason why they’ve been successful.”

“They’re a very good team,” Galaxy forward Mike Magee said. “They play really well at home, they’ll have probably 40,000 fans there and they play well on that turf."

“The last time we went [to Qwest Field, a 4-0 win on May 8] we got a good result, and that probably left a bad taste in their mouths. We have to have a good mentality this time.”

“They’ve been hot the second half of the year,” LA defender Todd Dunivant said. “But it all comes down to how you play in the playoffs. Momentum aside, it matters who comes out in these first two games and wins the series.”

Midfielders Steve Zakuani and Sanna Nyassi and forwards Fredy Montero and Blaise Nkufo spearhead a lethal attack for the boys in Rave Green. Their speed on the flanks is another item to watch out for.

“Speed’s always something that’s difficult to deal with, but we’ve done it all year,” Dunivant said on Seattle's speed.

In his second year, Zakuani garnered 10 goals and six assists, while while Nyassi's speed has helped him to two goals and three assists on the year.

“They’re very lethal up top and on the wings, so you’ve just got to be aware of that and be in good positions and hopefully take their speed away from them,” Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza said. “And make them play in front of us so that they’re not getting behind us and in a footrace with them.”

Of course, Montero has been the centerpiece of the Seattle scoring maching, with 10 goals and 10 assists to his name.

“Fredy Montero is a guy who, if you give him a lot of space he’s going to hurt you,” Dunivant said of the Sounders swingman. “He’s always headhunting in the box. He’s a very good poacher in the box and he’s always stretching balls out and finds himself in good spots where he’ll get knockdowns, he’ll be in a good spot to deflect a shot in, those kinds of things. They’re not accidents on his part. He gets those kinds of goals.”

Dunivant did note that their defense held the production of the Sounders at bay, even though Nkufo was not on the lineup at the time.

After the Sounders jettisoned Freddie Ljungberg to the Chicago Fire on July 30, Nkufo's presence along with the emergence of Nathan Sturgis has revitalized the Sounders with his five goals.

Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller has had a successful campaign, with 11 shutouts and a 1.15 goals against average.

“Usually around this time, the defense plays a massive role,” Dunivant said. “Teams that can keep other teams off the score sheet are going to have a good chance. We did a good job of that last year against Chivas and Houston, and if we can carry that in and keep a good defensive shape, it frustrates the other team.”

A big question to answer heading into the Oct. 31 clash is who will partner up with Omar Gonzalez in the central midfield: either veteran Gregg Berhalter or second-year player A.J. De La Garza.

“We’re getting a little healthier there with Berhalter coming back,” Arena said. “I think we’ll be alright. Whatever combination we go with, we’ll be fine.”

After Berhalter was sidelined with an ailment on Aug. 14, De La Garza filled in, helping Los Angeles wrap up the MLS Supporters' Shield in their 2-1 win over FC Dallas on Oct. 24.

“It was good having A.J. back there (against Dallas),” Galaxy right back Franklin said. “Gregg back there is more of a voice, more of a commander. It was good he was able to rest; it’s good to have A.J. in there getting some minutes. He’s been playing well in practice and he played well (against Dallas). Having A.J. back there brings some more speed to the backline.”

“People kind of wrote me off as being a center back in this league,” De La Garza said. “It would be great to be with (Gonzalez) and hopefully win a championship again."

Whoever will fill the shoes has a simple objective, and a simple objective only: Stop the bleeding and limit the Sounders production.

“It starts up top," De La Garza said, "and we’ve got to be solid in the back—keeping our marks—and we haven’t done that lately. We’ve got to do that. If we can do that, we’re going to have a good chance to win.”

Magee summarized the Galaxy's postseason prospects in a nutshell: “You gotta go with the best teams,” Magee said. “I don’t think you’re going to find teams at this point of the season that aren’t going to give you a good battle. If you’re looking to win the championship, you have to beat the next-best team.”

Kickoff between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Seattle Sounders in the first leg is scheduled for Halloween at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

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