LA Galaxy vs Los Angeles

Dignity Health Sports Park forms the backdrop for a mouth-watering cross-town Major League Soccer derby between LA Galaxy and Los Angeles.

LA Galaxy’s warm-up for this blockbuster fixture has been far from perfect as a goal-glutted 2-2 stalemate at San Jose Earthquakes condemned them to a fourth straight MLS draw. After only managing an underwhelming 16% win ratio across their first 19 league matches (W3, D7, L9), the hosts’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs are in tatters, with a staggering nine points separating them from 9th-placed Vancouver Whitecaps. Therefore, Greg Vanney’s men must string together a significant winning streak to close the gap, starting now. However, Galaxy’s home league form looks ominous, with only two wins from their eight matches (D2, L4), including a brace of winless outings (D1, L1) in the build-up to this clash.

It’s not like visiting Los Angeles are flying, though, with the visitors losing back-to-back MLS contests ahead of this trip, worryingly conceding 2+ goals on both occasions. To rectify those mistakes, they must defy a topsy-turvy away form that has seen them alternate between losing (3) and winning (2) across their last five MLS travels. Manager Steve Cherundolo has to plug his team’s defensive leaks if he’s to stand a chance in this fixture, considering his men have averaged just 1.11 goals per away league game this season. But after conceding two or more goals on three of their last four competitive travels, it’s hard to expect them to hold the line. That’s not to mention they’ve capitulated at least twice in their three most recent away H2Hs in all competitions (W1, L2).