For the first time since 2019, the Los Angeles Galaxy will play a postseason game as they open the MLS Cup playoffs on Saturday by welcoming Nashville SC to Dignity Health Sports Park.
Coming into this winner take all showdown, the Galaxy are unbeaten in their last four matches, while the Boys in Gold have not lost in five straight road contests, defeating Los Angeles FC 1-0 on Decision Day.
Match preview
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Their ride throughout the 34-game campaign has been filled with highs and lows, but when they needed it most, LA came through, winning three of their final four regular-season affairs after going winless in four consecutive matches before that run.
Manager Greg Vanney has been able to count on a dynamic attack throughout the year, as his side tallied the third-most goals in the Western Conference in 2022 (58), scoring three or more times on seven occasions.
While they began the year with clean sheets in their opening two games, the back end was a hindrance for them through most of the campaign, ending 2022 tied with Minnesota United for the most goals conceded among the seven playoff teams in the Western Conference (51).
They have conceded in 13 consecutive MLS affairs, with their last shutout coming in July, when they defeated Atlanta United 2-0.
Four of their seven clean sheets in 2022 came at Dignity Health Sports Park, including their last home game against Nashville, which they won 1-0, holding them to just a single shot on target.
Saturday will be the first time they host a playoff game since 2016, with LA winning eight consecutive postseason home fixtures.
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Nashville are in the postseason for a third successive campaign and should be feeling good about their chances away from home.
Last Sunday, they became only the second team this year to beat the reigning Supporters' Shield champions (LAFC) on their home field and the first to shut them out at Banc of California Stadium.
Even though a large portion of that victory should be attributed to some outstanding goalkeeping, Gary Smith's men have returned to what made them successful when entering the league, staunch defending.
The Boys in Gold have conceded a goal or fewer in seven of their previous eight league fixtures while posting four clean sheets away from home in 2022.
There was a lot to like about this team's performances on the road this season, conceding only 20 goals outside of GEODIS Park, the fewest in the Western Conference, also scoring more away goals this year (22) than in any previous campaign and setting a club record for road wins in a season (seven).
Of the 24 teams that they have faced since entering the league in 2020, there are only six that Nashville have not beaten, one of whom would be the Galaxy, drawing them 1-1 at GEODIS Park in their previous meeting this year.
In their last three road playoff games, the Boys in Gold have only triumphed once, blanking Toronto 1-0 in extra time in the first round of the 2020 postseason in a match played in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Team News
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Chicharito has 11 goals for the Galaxy since the beginning of August, the most in MLS over that span.
Riqui Puig had their equaliser when facing Nashville last month, and Dejan Joveljic put home the only goal when they beat them at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Jonathan Perez remains on the sidelines because of a knee injury, while Jorge Villafana is still dealing with a problem in his left knee.
Nashville came out victorious against LAFC mainly because of the heroics of Joe Willis, who had a career-high 14 stops for a well deserved clean sheet.
Jack Maher made his 50th career regular season league appearance, and Sean Davis was the only player to appear in every game for them this year.
Hany Mukhtar became only the third European player to capture the MLS Golden Boot, following in the footsteps of Englishman Bradley Wright-Phillips and Hungarian Nemanja Nikolic.
Teal Bunbury had the only goal in their win over LAFC, and Anibal Godoy replaced Jacob Shaffelburg late in that contest, his first appearance since sustaining a left thigh injury in their draw versus the Galaxy.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Edwards, Williams, Coulibaly, Araujo; Puig, Brugman, Delgado; Grandsir, Chicharito, Cabral
Nashville SC possible starting lineup:
Willis; Lovitz, Romney, Zimmerman, Moore; Shaffelburg, McCarty, Davis, Haakenson; Mukhtar, Sapong
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 1-2 Nashville SC
The opening postseason fixture will feature two of the most potent strikers in the league this season, and while LA may have a little more depth in the attack, Nashville can shut down the best strikers in this league.
We believe they have an edge at goalkeeper, plus their experience in the postseason is greater than the Galaxy's, so we expect them to pull out a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
