Galaxy ready to take on Spain's Real Madrid

Major League Soccer's winningest franchise faces one of Spain's perennial powers when the Los Angeles Galaxy plays Real Madrid on Monday night at the Home Depot Center.

Real Madrid, nicknamed "Los Galacticos" because of its roster of international stars, plays the second contest in a six-game tour through North America and Asia.

The Spanish club, which has 29 domestic championships and nine European titles, earned a 3-1 victory over Mexico's CD Guadalajara on Saturday night in Chicago.

Real's roster includes three of the past five FIFA players of the year: Ronaldo (1996, 1997, 2002), Zinedine Zidane (1998, 2000, 2003) and Luis Figo (2001).

Ronaldo and Real Madrid teammate Roberto Carlos played for Brazil's 2002 World Cup champions. Zidane led France to the 1998 World Cup title.

The club also features British pop icon David Beckham, fellow Englishman Michael Owen and Raul Gonzalez, who has more goals in Spain's first division than any active player.
 
The Galaxy, which leads MLS with 151 regular-season victories, will not have leading scorer Landon Donovan. The forward will play for the United States in Thursday night's CONCACAF Gold Cup semifinals.

Three other starters, forward Jovan Kirovski (strained left groin), defender Chris Albright (torn knee ligament) and midfielder Peter Vagenas (strained hip flexor) are coming off injuries.

Leading the Galaxy are midfielder Cobi Jones and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Jones played in three World Cups and 164 games for the United States. Hartman has 101 career victories, 52 by shutout.