Days after a disappointing defeat to their biggest rivals, the Los Angeles Galaxy return to Dignity Health Sports Park to face Minnesota United on Sunday.
Earlier this week, the Galaxy dropped to third in the MLS Western Conference with a 2-1 defeat against Los Angeles FC, while the Loons were beaten 3-1 by the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Match preview
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It was an electric atmosphere on Thursday at the Rose Bowl, with everything one could hope for except the right result if you support the Galaxy.
Coming into that fixture, Greg Vanney's side were even with the Black and Gold on 40 points and had an opportunity to move into first place in the West.
Instead, they currently find themselves below LAFC and Real Salt Lake in the table, with both sides having a game in hand on the Galaxy.
On Sunday, LA will return to Dignity Health Sports Park for the first time since June 19, where they have won four consecutive league fixtures.
LA are undefeated at that venue in 2024 and have only conceded first in two of their regular-season encounters played in Carson, managing to collect four points despite this.
With 11 wins domestically this season, they have three more than they collected in 2023, while they have also accumulated 40 points, four more than a year ago.
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It is a new month, but for Minnesota United, many of the same issues crept up this week that we had witnessed throughout June.
The Loons have lost five consecutive games in this competition, their longest run without a point domestically since entering MLS in 2017.
Because of this, Eric Ramsay's men are now just two points above the Western Conference playoff line, in eighth place with eight domestic victories in 2024.
The standings are still relatively tight, and a victory this weekend could put them in a much more comfortable position, as only two points currently separate them from the Vancouver Whitecaps in fifth.
It is not just the defeats that have to be frustrating if you are a Loons supporter, but their unorganised defensive structure has been an issue, with Minnesota conceding a combined 12 goals over the past three games.
Minnesota have fared well against the Galaxy in recent outings, claiming at least a point in six of their previous seven meetings in this competition.
Team News
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Jonathan Perez sat out for the Galaxy earlier this week due to a hamstring injury, and Gaston Brugman was unavailable because of knee discomfort.
Vanney only made one change to his starting 11 against LAFC, inserting Riqui Puig into an attacking midfield role in place of Diego Fagundez.
Gabriel Pec had the only strike for them on Wednesday, his seventh of the campaign, surpassing Joseph Paintsil and Puig for second on the team.
Minnesota could be missing Clint Irwin this weekend due to a groin knock, Wil Trapp has a sore hamstring, Teemu Pukki is dealing with a leg injury, and Hugo Bacharach has a knee injury.
Dayne St. Clair and Tani Oluwaseyi are unlikely to return this weekend, with Canada facing Venezuela in the Copa America quarter-finals on Friday, while Carlos Harvey is even less likely to play as Panama take on Colombia at that tournament on Saturday.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane has a goal in consecutive games for the Loons, surpassing Robin Lod for second on the team with his sixth last weekend, one fewer than Oluwaseyi for first.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Yamane, Neal, Yoshida, Nelson; Delgado, Cerrillo; Paintsil, Puig, Pec; Joveljic
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
Smir; Boxall, Tapias, Padelford; Taylor, Bran, Dotson, Fragapane; Hlongwane, Lod; Sang-bin
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 3-0 Minnesota United
Given the defensive struggles the Loons are experiencing and being down to their third-string goalkeeper, a talented group like the Galaxy should be able to find their share of openings and make them count on Sunday.
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