AS RECENTLY AS JULY, the top discussion point in MLS was whether the Los Angeles Galaxy’s acquisition of Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard made it the most talented team in league history. Many expected that the club would simply romp through the league en route to its fourth MLS Cup in five years.

Instead, the team stumbled down the stretch and finished in fifth place in the Western Conference, setting up a knockout game against Seattle at CenturyLink Field tonight (10pm ET, UniMas).

The good news for the league is that it will get to see two of its most popular teams face off in a winner-take-all game with everything on the line. The bad news, however, is that one of the teams will end its season before the start of November.

Seattle has struggled at times this season and relies almost entirely on its two top strikers—Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins.

The Galaxy, on the other hand, appear unbeatable—on paper. Bruce Arena is the best coach in league history and he boasts a roster that includes reigning MVP Robbie Keane, Mexican standout Giovani Dos Santos, Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, and U.S. internationals Omar Gonzalez, Alan Gordon, and Gyasi Zardes. There’s a strong supporting cast too: Sebastian Lletget, Juninho, Donovan Ricketts, and A.J. DeLaGarza.

Gonzalez, 27, acknowledged that there is extra pressure on the Galaxy based on its roster, experience, and history in the league.

“I think we are held to a high standard—which is a good thing,” Gonzalez told American Soccer Now. “I think everyone here knows what that standard is. That pressure is always going to be there. It’s good. It makes you rise to the occasion and I think we have the team to rise to the occasion in Seattle.”

If the Galaxy advance to the Western Conference Semifinals, the team will have to turn things around quickly. The star-studded team has won just one out of its past seven MLS games and enters the playoffs on a two-game losing streak.

Keane, 35, finished the season with 20 goals and is the unquestioned leader of the Galaxy attack. The Irish international was confident and upbeat despite the difficult task ahead.

“No matter what happened yesterday or the last few weeks, it’s gone,” Keane said. “You’re getting into the playoff situation and it’s like a final. It’s a one-off game. So whether people have any doubts about themselves, whether you did well or didn’t do well in the season, it’s irrelevant now.

“We’ve done it in the past,” he added. “I think in one season we finished fourth and we went on to win. It’s not the end of it, no question about it. We are capable of going up to Seattle and winning it—100%. Seattle is probably the slight favorites because usually people are the favorites when they’re playing at home. So they’ve got a lot to lose as well playing in front of their fans in their stadium.”

For the Galaxy to come away with a win, its defense will have to improve. Over the past six MLS games, the Galaxy has conceded 13 goals. Seattle’s fearsome attack is particularly effective in front of the Sounders’ home crowd.

Gonzalez, in particular, will have to step up. Few defenders in the league boast his experience: The U.S. international has won three MLS Cup titles, was named MLS Rookie of the year in 2009, and earned MLS Defender of the Year honors in 2011.

“We know who they are,” Gonzalez said. “They can definitely score goals quickly and they have very talented players. I think what we need to do, especially for my part especially, is have solidarity in the back. We have to be a good solid team defensively as an entire team–not just the back four.

“We have to be ready to do the dirty work from top to bottom. I think if everyone is focused and everyone is willing to do the extra running, then we should be in a good spot. It’s should be a great game.”

Predicting this game is difficult. Seattle is dominant at home and the Galaxy has won just two out of 14 games on the road this season. Still, Los Angelels’ experience and talent is impossible to ignore.

“This is exciting,” Keane said. “These are the games I want to play in. This is why you play the game. You don’t play the games just to take part. You play the games because you want to win. You play because these are the games that separate the men from the boys. We have players in our dressing room who are up for the challenge and ready to go. I’m certainly ready.

“This league is getting stronger and stronger. We have to roll up our sleeves.

“No excuses now.”