Up next for the Galaxy: vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday night

GALAXY TONIGHT

VS. COLUMBUS

When: 7:30.

Where: Home Depot Center.

On the air: TV: FSW (delayed, 9:30 p.m.); Radio: 1150, 1220.

Records: Galaxy 13-5-5, Crew 13-5-5.

Record vs. Crew: 1-0.

Update: Saturday’s game pits the two best teams in MLS, according to Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena. “Over the past two years, L.A. and Columbus have been a step above everyone else in the league,” Arena said, “so we’re facing the best team in the league.” Columbus won the MLS championship in 2008, finished with the best regular-season record in 2009 and is tied for the best record this season. The Galaxy and Crew have identical records and are tied at a league-high 44 points with defending champion Real Salt Lake. The Crew has scored only one goal fewer than Los Angeles but has given up seven more. Even more significant, the Crew is 0-3-4 on the road this season against teams from the Western Conference. The game might be the 2010 MLS debut of David Beckham, but Arena said Thursday that was “not likely” although the Galaxy midfielder, regaining match fitness after a six-month injury layoff, could be on the bench. Los Angeles won, 2-0, at Columbus in May.

—Grahame L. Jones