Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs DC United - prediction, team news, lineups

Still licking their wounds from their US Open Cup quarter-final exit, DC United return to action in MLS when they journey to the Dignity Health Tennis Center to take on Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night.

Having failed to win the last five meetings between the two teams, LA Galaxy will head into the weekend looking to get one over the visitors and secure back-to-back victories for the first time since the turn of the year.

Match preview

Los Angeles Galaxy turned in an impressive team display last Saturday as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps when the two sides squared off in California.

In a game where Jayden Nelson received his marching orders, Matheus Nascimento struck inside the opening 120 seconds to put the hosts in front before Joseph Paintsil grabbed a second-half brace to put the result beyond doubt.

Head coach Greg Vanney will be delighted with his side's recent turnaround as they are now unbeaten in four of their most recent five games, picking up two wins and two draws, having failed to win any of their first 16 league matches.

Despite their recent upturn in form, Los Angeles Galaxy sit rooted to the bottom of the Western Conference standings with 12 points from 21 games, 14 points adrift of ninth-placed Austin FC in the final playoff qualifying spot.

Having clinched the 2024 playoff crown, LA Galaxy's underwhelming campaign has been owing to their struggles at the defensive end of the pitch, where they have shipped 42 goals so far - two more than any other side in the league.

On the other hand, DC United were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller in their US Open Cup quarter-final clash against Nashville as they fell to a 5-2 defeat when the two sides squared off at Geodis Park.

The Black-and-Red Eagles found themselves two goals up and in the driver’s seat thanks to an early strike from Gabriel Pirani and Jack Maher’s 24th-minute own goal, but Nashville upped the ante as Jonathan Perez, Andy Najar, Walker Zimmerman and a brace from Sam Surridge saw them turn the tie around in style.

This was in keeping with their woes in the league, where DC United are on a four-game winless run, picking up one point from the last 12 available, and have failed to win nine of their last 10 matches (5L, 4D).

Troy Lesesne’s men have won just four of their 21 MLS matches so far while losing 10 and claiming seven draws to collect 19 points and sit 12th in the Eastern Conference table, just five points above rock-bottom CF Montreal.

While DC United are unbeaten in their last five games against LA Galaxy, they will need their A-game at the Dignity Health Tennis Center, where they have failed to taste victory in any of their last nine visits, losing five and claiming four draws since August 2008.

Los Angeles Galaxy MLS form:

DC United MLS form:

DC United form (all competitions):

Team News

Los Angeles Galaxy remain without the services of Spanish midfielder Riqui Puig, who continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines after picking up an ACL injury in December.

Fellow countryman Miguel Berry is currently recuperating from a thigh problem and will also sit out this weekend’s clash, while goalkeeper James McCarthy is a major doubt due to injury.

With his assist in last Saturday’s victory over the Whitecaps, Marco Reus now has double figures in goal contributions (four goals and six assists) in 15 MLS appearances, and the veteran forward will be one to keep an eye on.

As for DC United, Lesesne’s side will be unable to name Canadian defender Lukas MacNaughton, who has been ruled out since coming off with a thigh injury against Colorado Rapids in May.

He is joined on the Black-and-Red Eagles’ injury table by teenage forward Kristian Fletcher, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after picking up a knee problem against Real Salt Lake on June 15.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Micovic; Yamane, Yoshida, Garces, Aude; Pec, Reus, Cerrillo, Fagundez, Paintsil; Nascimento

DC United possible starting lineup:

Barraza; Bartlett, Rowles, Peltola; Antley, Servania, Takang, Schnegg; Stroud, Benteke, Peglow

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 2-1 DC United

Los Angeles Galaxy and DC United find themselves at the wrong end of the conference standings in what has been a difficult campaign and will be keen to secure maximum points this weekend.

Vanney’s side have won their last two games at the Dignity Health Tennis Center and we predict that they will make the most of their home advantage against an out-of-sorts DC United side.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.