Los Angeles Galaxy will be hoping to end their miserable run of form when they welcome Vancouver Whitecaps to the Dignity Health Sports Park for their MLS clash on Sunday.
The visitors, meanwhile, are seeking to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to four matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
LA Galaxy suffered their 11th MLS defeat of the season when they were beaten 4-2 away at basement club Sporting Kansas City last weekend.
The Wizards went into half time three goals in front courtesy of a brace from William Agada and a strike from Erik Thommy, before two late goals from Javier Hernandez gave the Galaxy hope of a potential comeback. However, Sporting added a fourth in the 95th minute through Daniel Salloi to ensure that all three points remained with the hosts.
Greg Vanney's men are only three points behind the playoff positions with two games in hand on seventh-placed Portland Timbers, but they have now lost six of their last eight MLS matches, conceding 16 goals in the process.
LA Galaxy have struggled in recent home meetings against Vancouver as they have won only three of their last nine games in Los Angeles against the Canadian outfit since 2015.
While Hernandez is regarded as one of the Galaxy's star players, Dejan Joveljic has enjoyed an impressive 2022 campaign in front of goal and has scored all nine of his MLS goals on home soil so far this term, including a strike in each of his last six matches at Dignity Health Sports Park.
© Reuters
After five MLS matches without a win, Vancouver Whitecaps secured all three points when they came from behind to beat Houston Dynamo 2-1 on home soil last weekend.
The visitors were seemingly on course to claim a slender victory at BC Place until two substitutes turned the game on its head for the Whitecaps in dramatic fashion within the final four minutes of the contest. Simon Becher equalised in the 88th minute – just six minutes after coming off the bench – before Lucas Cavallini netted a 92nd-minute winner.
Vancouver have now accumulated a total of 13 points after scoring goals in the 80th minute or later so far this season, four more than any other MLS team.
Vanni Sartini has seen his side move level on points with LA Galaxy in ninth place and to within three points of the playoffs with a game in hand.
Vancouver have a decent record against LA Galaxy as they have won four and drawn one of their last seven meetings against them, and they could extend their unbeaten run against the Californian outfit to three games if they can claim at least a point on Sunday.
- L
- L
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- D
- D
- L
- D
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- D
- W
Team News
© Reuters
LA Galaxy defender Jorge Villafana remains sidelined with a knee injury, while midfield duo Daniel Aguirre and Victor Vazquez both have lower body issues.
Julian Araujo is expected to replace Kelvin Leerdam at right-back, joining Sega Coulibaly, Derrick Williams and Chase Gasper in the back four.
Strikers Hernandez and Joveljic are set to continue their partnership in attack, with support provided on the flanks by Kevin Cabral and Douglas Costa.
As for Vancouver, they are plagued with absentees at present with Luis Martins, Cristian Gutierrez (both calf), Deiber Caicedo (knee) and Brian White (ribs) all sidelined with injuries, while Cristian Dajome, Caio Alexandre, Florian Jungwirth, Marcus Godinho and Thomas Hasal are all ruled out due to illness.
Argentine centre-back Erik Godoy, meanwhile, has left the club on a free transfer to seek pastures new after three-and-a-half years with the Whitecaps.
After scoring last time out, both Cavallini and Becher will be pushing to start, with the former the most likely to get the nod to replace Tosaint Ricketts.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Araujo, Coulibaly, Williams, Gasper; Cabral, Delgado, Brugman, Costa; Hernandez, Joveljic
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Cropper; Blackmon, Veselinovic, Brown; Gressel, Owusu, Teibert, Raposo; Gauld, Vite; Cavallini
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-2 Vancouver Whitecaps
Both sides have endured inconsistent spells of form in recent weeks so a tight affair could be on the cards this weekend.
However, considering Vancouver's recent record against LA Galaxy and the latter's defensive frailties, we can see the visitors coming away with all three points in California.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
