Preview: Los Angeles Galaxy vs Vancouver Whitecaps - prediction, team news, lineups

The Vancouver Whitecaps can temporarily reclaim first place in the MLS Western Conference on Friday when they travel to Dignity Health Tennis Center to face the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Over the weekend, the Galaxy drew 1-1 with the San Jose Earthquakes and remain at the bottom of the Western standings, while the Caps blanked Los Angeles FC 1-0, putting them a point behind San Diego for first in the conference.

Match preview

Another resilient effort for LA on Saturday has them taking some minor steps forward, having claimed at least a point in three of their previous four MLS affairs.

There is still a long way to go in their quest to get back into the playoffs, with the reigning league champions currently 17 points below the post-season line with 14 matches remaining.

Greg Vanney’s men begin a three-game homestand on Friday, with a chance to claim consecutive triumphs at Dignity Health Tennis Center for the first time all season.

Five of their seven positive results domestically this year have occurred when the Galaxy conceded the opening goal, while their only triumph in the competition happened when they drew first blood at home to Real Salt Lake (2-0).

The Galaxy have collected at least a point in three straight regular-season affairs when netting multiple goals, losing only once at home this year when doing so (4-2 to the Portland Timbers).

In five of their previous six home meetings versus the Caps, LA have come away with at least a point, winning this exact fixture last year by a score of 4-2.

Despite having a limited amount of possession and scoring opportunities, Vancouver found a way to win this past weekend, ending a two-game MLS losing run in the process.

Jesper Sorensen’s men had just one effort on target against the Black and Gold and 37% possession, but managed to win for only the third time in their last six competitive fixtures.

Vancouver have won five times away from home in league play this year and have a chance to equal their longest domestic winning run as the visitors this season on Friday (two).

Consistency has been a strong suit of this team throughout the campaign, with the Caps averaging two points per game, tied with the Supporters’ Shield-leading Philadelphia Union, who they trail by just two points in the overall table.

Heading into this encounter, the Whitecaps boast a 100% record in MLS when leading at the interval, winning all seven of their games in that scenario this year.

The Caps have not beaten the Galaxy at Dignity Health Tennis Center since 2020 (1-0), but on Friday, they could win consecutive regular-season contests against them in the same year for the first time since 2017.

Los Angeles Galaxy Major League Soccer form:

Vancouver Whitecaps Major League Soccer form:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Team News

In their weekend draw with the Quakes, LA were missing Riqui Puig because of a knee injury, while Zanka, Julian Aude and Diego Fagundez were the new faces in the starting 11.

Marco Reus netted the equaliser in that clash 20 minutes from the end, his fourth of the regular season, drawing even with Christian Ramirez for the most on the team.

Meanwhile, in their last encounter, the Whitecaps were missing Ryan Gauld with a knee issue, Giuseppe Bovalina was sidelined due to an illness, Ali Ahmed had a sore ankle, Sam Adekugbe was out with a torn Achilles, while Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White are on international duty this week with the USA at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Emmanuel Sabbi had the only goal in their victory over LAFC, with Yohei Takaoka recording his league-leading ninth clean sheet and 10th across all competitions.

Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:

Micovic; Yamane, Zanka, Garces, Nelson; Cerrillo; Pec, Reus, Sanabria, Paintsil; Nascimento

Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:

Takaoka; Laborda, Blackmon, Veselinovic, Johnson; Vite, Cubas, Ngando; Kreilach, Rios, Sabbi

We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-2 Vancouver Whitecaps

While victories have been few and far between in recent weeks for Vancouver, we expect their depth will be more than enough to overpower a Galaxy side that have struggled at the back all year.

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