A stuttering Los Angeles FC will look to bring a dismal run of five matches without a win in all competitions to an end when they take on Houston Dynamo at the BMO Stadium on Thursday.
Following disappointments in the US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League in the last two weeks, the Falcons saw their unbeaten run of four games in the MLS also brought to an end when they were thrashed by this opponent 4-0 on Sunday.
Match preview
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The defending MLS Cup champions are at risk of seeing their domestic season head in the same direction as their cup campaigns unless they are able to find the sort of form that they showed in the opening weeks.
LAFC were unbeaten in their first eight matches in MLS, but after their cup loss to hometown rivals Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of last month, their performances and confidence have taken a notable dip.
While their stalemate against Atlanta United last week can be overlooked following three consecutive cup defeats in quick succession, the manner in which the Falcons lost to this opponent on Sunday will certainly be ringing alarm bells for Steve Cherundolo.
His side were second best for the majority of that match, managing just two shots on target, neither of which could be classified as a great chance.
Of particular concern to Cherundolo will be his side's apparent drop-off in attack, where they find themselves in the midst of their longest dry spell this season, failing to score in any of their last three matches in all competitions, and in four of their last five.
However, they are still undefeated at home in the league this season, winning five and drawing two of their seven matches at the BMO Stadium, and did overcome this opponent 3-1 at this venue in September last year.
Having played five games in just over two weeks, fatigue seems to be playing a factor in the Black and Gold's performances, and with another three-day turnaround from their last match, it is going to be interesting to see if the defending champions have managed to recoup in time to put on a better performance this time around.
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After conceding nine goals in their first two league matches this month, Houston Dynamo have responded in the best way possible by recording two solid back-to-back wins coming into this one.
Houston were clinical against Chicago in the US Open Cup last week, scoring two goals in each half to book their place in the semi-final against Real Salt Lake in August.
They carried that strong attacking form into the last match and got off to an excellent start against this opponent, with Nelson Quinones hitting the scoresheet inside the first quarter of an hour.
The 20-year-old Colombian left winger was at it again early in the second half as he drew a foul from Ryan Hollingshead inside the box, which Amine Bassi stuck in the bottom left-hand corner after sending John McCarthy the wrong way.
While Ben Olsen's men would have taken huge confidence from that performance, they will know that they cannot take anything for granted as they come into this match yet to record a single league win on the road this season.
In eight away MLS matches this term, Houston have taken a meagre two points with draws against the New York Red Bulls and Dallas while suffering six defeats and conceding two or more goals in five of them.
Houston have failed to beat LAFC at the BMO Stadium in their last six attempts, losing four of them, and they will know that the Falcons will be out for revenge in this one.
Team News
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Cherundolo's blunt under two-minute post-match interview following their loss on Sunday spoke volumes about the LAFC coach's feelings toward his side's performance, and it would come as no surprise if we saw a handful of changes for the upcoming encounter.
Giorgio Chiellini and forward Stipe Biuk were hauled off at half time, with Jesus Murillo and Kwadwo Opoku sent on in their place, which could be a sign of what is to come on Thursday.
Timothy Tillman, Sergi Palencia, Aaron Long, Kellyn Acosta and goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau are all out with injuries and will not feature in this one, though Tony Leone returned to the bench over the weekend and will be in contention for a call-up.
Having now served his one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation, the Houston boss will return to the dugout for the visitors and will have a fresh injury concern to deal with after Chase Gasper was withdrawn in the first half against LAFC over the weekend.
Following his stunning 25-yard goal in the last match, Franco Escobar will be forced to miss this match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, while Adalberto Carrasquilla will be on international duty with Panama in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Daniel Steres could return to the starting lineup for Houston in the absence of the suspended Escobar while Carrasquilla's absence could open the door for Thor Ulfarsson to return to the starting 11.
Ifunanyachi Achara and Tate Schmitt will miss out through respective knee injuries, while centre-back Teenage Hadebe will also be ruled out for a few more weeks following surgery to his leg.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Hollingshead, Maldonado, Murillo, Palacios; Cifuentes, Ilie, Duenas; Opoku, Vela, Bouanga
Houston Dynamo possible starting lineup:
Clark; Steres, Sviatchenko, Micael, Smith; Artur, Herrera, Ulfarsson, Bassi, Quinones; Baird
We say: Los Angeles FC 2-1 Houston Dynamo
While the reigning champions have been poor in recent weeks, their excellent home record this season cannot be overlooked. Fatigue will likely have an impact on both sides in this fixture, but the hosts will want to come flying out of the blocks, and an early goal will be exactly what they need to calm the nerves around the camp.
The visitors' form on the road has been one of the worst in MLS this term, and despite having the psychological edge over their opponent following the result on Sunday, they are likely to find it much more difficult this time around.
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Top tip
Devesh Jaganath
