Ricketts LA Galaxy’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Despite the 2009 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award going to Chivas USA’s Zach Thornton, LA Galaxy players and staff know just how important their own shot-stopper is.

Jamaica international Donovan Ricketts has been the leader of the Galaxy’s defence this season as the club returned to the play-offs and midfielder Chris Klein believes he is the best keeper in the league.

"Absolutely," Klein said. "I wouldn't want to have any other goalie than Donovan. I think he's shown over the course of the year ... I don't want to take anything away from Zach, who had a great year ... but for us and our team Donovan is the best goalie in the league.

"We're comfortable with that. We don't need an award to tell us that."

Klein added that he and the rest of his teammates are always confident that Ricketts will do a job for them.

"He's so long," Klein added. "If you look at every aspect of the game, he does it well. He's a guy that has all the physical tools and really puts it together in the best way during the game. We know what we're going to get from Donovan."

Ricketts will be leading the defensive charge for the Galaxy when they take on Chivas USA in the return leg of their Western Conference semi-final at the Home Depot Center on Sunday – the first leg ended 2-2.