Eskandarian, Landon, and Eddie Lewis are each nominated for Goal of the Year.

Ricketts and Josh Saunders are each nominated for Save of the Year.

Take a look and rock the vote on this election day.

You can vote for Goal of the Year here.

You can vote for Save of the Year here.

Welcome back to the playoffs!

It has been three long and, to be blunt, disastrous years since the last time the Galaxy played post-season futbol. That year they peaked at the right time after basically backing in to the playoffs and ended up taking the MLS Cup from New England on Pando Ramirez's only goal of the season.

I think we have the edge in today's match. But don't count Chivas out. When it's a derby match, each team can play their best soccer of the season. Today it should be the Galaxy. If Buddle is on his game today, we will be unstoppable.

I'm so nervous/excited that I can't think of anything else intelligent to say.

And those words are: Western Conference champions!

In a fitting display on their home turf, the Los Angeles Galaxy put the finishing touches on a worst-to-first regular season for 2009. After a horrific 2008, the culmination of years of front-office incompetence and on-field underachievement accomplished under the glare of international media, the Galaxy put together a season that culminated in a first-in the West finish and a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

If the Galaxy wins tonight we will own first place in the Western Conference, regardless of the outcome of the Chivas vs. Houston match being played tomorrow. How awesome would that be?! I still can't believe the turnaround we've had this year. If only we can be in top form for the playoffs .

But only if you vote for him to win!

I'm still miffed that he was left off the All-Star team at least the one that suited up. I seem to recall that he made the All-Star roster that counts for salary incentives. Yet one more bit of byzantine MLS rules and regulation implementation for you there.

Today they, the ubiquitous they who say many things and say them often, have awarded the Galaxy's own Landon Donovan the 2009 Honda Player of the Year award. This is given away annually (hence the "of the year" part) to the best player for the year on the US Men's National Team.

And that word is: Punchless.

Or it could be seven words: This team is nothing without Landon Donovan.

So let's start with the positive: shutting out Houston at home in front of a sell-out crowd and forcing Pat Onstad to actually make some saves. Once again Donovan Ricketts proves his worth making a busload of saves and the backline bends but doesn't break.

Ahh, this is looking to be quite the match up!

The Galaxy, Dynamo, and Chivas are all tied for first in the Western Conference with 44 points each. So this match will likely determine the first place team in the Western Conference. Only two games remain for our Galaxy they play the Earthquakes at home next Saturday to end the regular season.

While scrolling through my photos from the other night I noticed this gem.

Give me your best caption. The winner gets, um, something. But I know you guys will make me laugh.

I need a new camera. And it helps if it's not raining. But here are some more of my very amateur photos from RFK Stadium on Wednesday. I'm still buzzing about it what a game!

What a game! Except for the nail-biting after going down 2 goals to none in the first half, that was an incredible match! I printed my number 9 (and mounted it on poster board because I'm anal crafty like that) and held it up with the crowd. The stadium went absolutely berserk when we scored in the 95th minute, especially since we couldn't see the extra time remaining.

America! F$#& yeah!

With all the scoring coming in the second half, we have clinched World Cup Qualifying with a decisive 3-2 victory over Honduras.

See the highlights on ussoccer.com.

Guess who played one of the best games of his life? Ohhhhhhhh Landon Donovan!

I was up late last night (Virginia time) following the match on Twitter, I've only had one ounce of my 30 ounces a day coffee habit, and I'm watching my girls float Pop Tart and Band Aid wrappers over the banister as "parachutes," but I couldn't wait to come here and share my excitement.

Paul Oberjuerge has known Donovan since he was a teen. Landon regularly gives him interviews and is usually quite candid.

Just a sampling of his extensive two-part interview:

Q: When you are no longer the fastest player on the field, for 25 yards, 40 yards, 80 yards, do you think about "How will I play at that point?

And those word are: Gutting it out.

The Los Angeles Galaxy took three points at home from a determined Fire team populated with a large number of replacement for injured players. As has been the case all season, the defense provided the base from which the Galaxy was able to generate just enough offense to put the game away.