FRISCO, Texas -- At first glance, the Los Angeles Galaxy appear different than the New England Revolution. The Eastern Conference champions appear to some as the more complete team while the Galaxy are best known for their firepower up front.
But Galaxy coach Steve Sampson wholeheartedly disagrees with the notion that the Revs are the complete team and the Galaxy has a collection of individual talent.
"It's evident that our team is a great team, a united team," Sampson said after Friday's training session at Pizza Hut Park. "This is a team that at any moment can strike by a great individual play or through a collective effort."
The way the postseason has played out, the Galaxy boss feels his side has accomplished more and has shown a great deal in getting to Sunday's MLS Cup.
"They lost a game during the playoffs already. We have not. We beat what was thought to be the best team in the entire league in San Jose [in the Western Conference Semifinal Series]," Sampson said. "We play together. We play toe-to-toe with everybody. We are very united. Obviously, Herculez Gomez and Landon Donovan have had great performances thus far but we've evolved as a team to get here."
As far as the Galaxy meeting the Revolution in the final for the second time in four years, Sampson said payback is not a factor for the Galaxy.
"Revenge? For them, it's revenge. For us, it's just another team standing in the way of a cup," Sampson said.
JONES SITS: Cobi Jones has outlasted all the players and coaches from the original 1996 team. But he has not escaped the effects of aging.
In the early part of his career, Jones had seemingly a nonstop motor and played with the same intensity during matches that he had at training sessions. Now, it's a little bit different.
Jones did not complete Friday's training session, but that was planned. It's something that has been ongoing all season, in fact. And it's just a fact of life when dealing with a veteran who can still play at a high level.
"You can't manage a 34-year-old like you do a 20-year-old," Sampson said.
The Galaxy went through an 11-on-11 scrimmage but Jones sat out a good portion of the end but it was planned.
"Physically, we control all of that during our training sessions and how much time he is on the pitch during training sessions," Sampson said.
The tactic has worked. Jones played a career-high 31 games this year and started 27 games -- one off his previous high. He played injury free and contributed offensively with three goals and six assists.
And more importantly, he'll be fit and ready to go in Sunday's MLS Cup with likely a full tank of gas.
GALAXY TRAINING: The Galaxy's first team looked sharp in Friday's scrimmage against their backups. Donovan in particular played well, spraying crisp, precise passes over the pitch. He also bagged a goal, breaking loose on the left side and firing a rocket into the lower corner of the net.
Injuries have not been a factor and were not Friday. Only forward Joseph Ngwenya is a question mark; otherwise, Sampson has the entire roster at his disposal.
DONOVAN HOLDS UP TEAM BUS: After the entire Galaxy squad had left the training pitch, Donovan lingered behind. He wrapped up a television interview after having done interviews with print reporters in both English and Spanish.
A Galaxy official tried to hurry Donovan past a crowd of autograph- and photo-seekers but Donovan ignored those pleas. Instead, he signed soccer balls and notebooks and took pictures with those who requested them, including smiling, middle-aged man in a Manchester United jersey and a pair of young, seemingly awestruck girls.
Luis Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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