The Los Angeles Galaxy are determined to bridge the gap in the Western Conference playoff race as they prepare to host St Louis City at Dignity Health Sports Park this Sunday.
In this preview, we delve into the current form, team news, and predicted lineups for this crucial clash.
Los Angeles Galaxy’s Playoff Push
With the regular season entering its final stretch, the Los Angeles Galaxy, under the leadership of Greg Vanney, have made significant strides towards securing a playoff spot.
Despite their commendable form in recent weeks, they find themselves trailing by five points below the playoff line, with four teams to surpass.
The Galaxy has the advantage of having at least one game in hand over every other team in the conference.
Additionally, they will play five of their remaining nine league fixtures at home, where they have consistently secured points in the last five domestic matches.
However, they’ve missed opportunities to collect more points, drawing 2-2 with Sporting Kansas City and the San Jose Earthquakes in June and July, despite leading at halftime in both matches. These dropped points could have brought them within one point of the playoffs.
Defensively, the Galaxy has conceded the third-most goals in the Western Conference (39). Still, they’ve been more resilient at home, keeping clean sheets in back-to-back league games at Dignity Health Sports Park.
A significant portion of their success this season has come at home, with seven out of their twelve victories occurring there. Interestingly, only seven of their 19 goals scored in Carson came in the first half.
St Louis City’s Inconsistent Form
St Louis City, an expansion club in their inaugural MLS campaign, has been somewhat unpredictable in recent weeks. They’ve lost two of their last three league fixtures after a promising start to the season.
Their early-season consistency has waned since July, as they’ve struggled to secure more than two consecutive wins. However, they’ve also managed to avoid back-to-back losses during this period.
Despite their recent struggles, St Louis City currently sits six points ahead of Los Angeles FC at the top of the Western Conference, having played one more game.
With seven matches remaining, they need only eight more points to secure a postseason berth. They are also on track to set a new MLS record for the most points ever gained by an expansion side.
However, their away form has been a concern, with just two road wins since April.
While they excel at scoring, netting the second-most goals in MLS this season (53), their defense has been vulnerable on the road, conceding multiple goals in seven away matches.
Team News
The Los Angeles Galaxy will miss several key players due to injuries. Jalen Neal, Douglas Costa, Martin Caceres, Gaston Brugman, and Chicharito are all sidelined with various injuries.
Raheem Edwards is suspended due to a yellow card, while Eriq Zavaleta and Kelvin Leerdam are on international duty.
St Louis City’s Nicholas Gioacchini is recovering from a shoulder injury, and Nokkvi Thorisson and Anthony Markanich featured in the starting 11 for the first time this season.
Possible Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Galaxy:
- Bond
- Calegari
- Yoshida
- Mavinga
- Aude
- Cerrillo
- Boyd
- Delgado
- Puig
- Fagundez
- Joveljic
St Louis City:
- Burkil
- Nerwinski
- Parker
- Hiebert
- Bartlett
- Blom
- Vassilev
- Stroud
- Ostrak
- Alm
- Adeniran
Prediction: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 St Louis City
St Louis City appears comfortable atop the Western Conference, but the Los Angeles Galaxy, with the recent form of Riqui Puig and Tyler Boyd, should exploit their defensive vulnerabilities in this crucial matchup.
