That said, it's one thing to acquire the necessary puzzle pieces but it's another to get them to actually fit together. That has proved to be an immense challenge for Arena and the Galaxy this season. There has been a discernible lack of chemistry between Keane and Dos Santos, while the opposite has been true of Dos Santos and Gordon. The Mexican will no doubt be relieved that the injury that forced his teammate off early in the second half isn't deemed to be serious.
Donovan and Dos Santos also seem to have jelled as well, as the two celebrated like grade-schoolers when they combined to set up Gordon's goal. Gerrard has been the ultimate tactical square peg trying to fit into a round hole. He has been at his best in an attacking midfield role, which is precisely where Dos Santos has excelled while with the Galaxy.
Let's face it, this should really be Dos Santos' team now. At 27, he's at the peak of his powers, and his 14 goals and 12 assists show that he has been well worth the Designated Player money splashed on him. He has proved durable as well, appearing in 27 of the Galaxy's past 30 games, something neither Keane nor Gerrard have approached this season.
Granted, Arena may opt for a bit more bite in midfield as the playoffs progress. Gyasi Zardes' recovery from a broken foot could see him play a part in the postseason as well. But Arena could do a lot worse than to persist with the lineup that performed so well on Wednesday, even if that means staying in the Twilight Zone.