Magee gets Donovan backing

Los Angeles Galaxy forward Landon Donovan is confident Mike Magee can shine in the MLS Cup in the absence of Chad Barrett.

Barrett, 26, dislocated his foot in Galaxy training on November 10, meaning he will miss the final against the Houston Dynamo at The Home Depot Center on Sunday.

Former Chicago Fire and Toronto man Barrett scored seven goals this season and assisted three, but Donovan believes Magee will ensure Galaxy still cause problems up front.

“I think Mike has matured a lot this year on the field and off the field. He has been a guy who has always been uber-talented and now he has really been focused on how he performs this year,” Donovan said.

“I have said this a lot, but he is arguably our best player in front of goal. He has helped us a lot in that our midfield is now very good at keeping the ball and passing the ball.”

“He is very dangerous in front of goal so him and Todd (Dunivant) have a good understanding of how to defend and how to play that side of the field. Going forward, it is just another attacking option as a team.”

Houston coach Dominic Kinnear knows the Dynamo have a tough task ahead of them, but believes his team is prepared for the challenge.

“There are a lot of great individuals who play well as a team. Defensively, (Galaxy) are one of the best teams in the league – just look at their home record,” he said.

“At the Home Depot Centre, they have not lost a game this year.”

“So it is the final of the MLS Cup. You are playing a good team in a great environment which is their home stadium. It is going to be a difficult game we know, but we are ready for it and we have to play.”

The Galaxy and the Dynamo are both aiming for their third MLS titles.