Saturday, August 22, 2020
3:00pm PT
TV: FOX, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports App
RADIO: ESPN LA 710 AM, ESPN App, 980 AM La Mera Mera (Spanish)
A mere 35 days after LAFC’s historic 6-2 rout of the Galaxy in the MLS is Back Tournament group stage in Orlando, this Saturday, August 22, the two clubs are set to meet again on familiar turf at Banc of California Stadium in the restart of the MLS regular season.
The last two matchups between these clubs have marked a radical shift in LAFC’s direction. After LAFC went winless in the first five matches, going 0-2-3, the Black and Gold have now outscored the Galaxy 11 – 5 in the last 180 minutes of action.
The 2020 MLS regular season has been a difficult one for a Galaxy squad still searching for their first win on the year. Prior to the MLS is Back Tournament, the club opened the year with a 1-1 tie against the Houston Dynamo and 1-0 loss to Vancouver. The Galaxy went winless in their three games in the MLS Is Back Tournament, and currently sit in last in the Western Conference with two points overall.
LAFC has yet to lose in their stopped and now restarted 2020 campaign. The Club opened this year with a win over expansion Inter Miami FC and a draw against the Philadelphia Union before the season was suspended. In the MLS is Back Tournament, the Black & Gold were sent home by Orlando City SC in the Quarterfinals by way of penalties, but not before picking up five regular season points in the group stage with ties against Houston and Portland and a win over the Galaxy. LAFC currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference with 9 points overall.
GALAXY IN-DEPTH
We will see how much has changed for the Galaxy since the last time these two Clubs met. It appears that the Galaxy are still trying to find their footing on offense without one of the most unique and gifted attackers MLS has seen in Zlatan Ibrahimovic. As the Galaxy continue the process of adjusting their style and figuring out how to create more chances, they will do it with Mexican National Team midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos, who missed the first contest. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez remains sidelined. The Galaxy have a reliable backline, but this team still needs to figure out how to put the ball in the back of the net.
OPPORTUNITY TO RESET:
Much has been made of the Galaxy’s struggles this year, especially as it relates to the last time they faced LAFC. But taking a closer look at that match, the first half had all the making of another LAFC – Galaxy classic. It featured an own goal, two penalty kicks and a goal scored late in stoppage time, ending with the half tied 2 – 2.
It was in the second half where LAFC imposed their will, leading Galaxy head coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto to openly discuss that he believed his team had let down.
“I think that defensive situation happened because the team gave up the battle and the fight,” Schelotto said. “We can’t do that. We have to play for 90 minutes and try to play when we have the ball and when we don't have the ball try to get it. We can’t give up before time and that’s what happened and that’s what generated a heap of spaces in our defense.”
This match-up is a perfect opportunity for the Galaxy to show their coach they won’t give up twice against the Black & Gold.
LAFC WILL WIN IF…
They can stick to the game plan. It will be crucial for the Black and Gold to stay focused and precise to dictate the pace of the match for the full 90 minutes. LAFC will need to concentrate on defending set pieces. It was an LAFC breakdown on a corner kick late in the MLS Is Back Quarterfinals that allowed Orlando to score on a header and sneak back into the game.
GALAXY CAN WIN IF…
They can find the space to counterattack. Christian Pavon remains a dangerous threat for the Galaxy, and he will look to counterattack and take on LAFC’s backline directly. In 2020, LAFC has had a difficult time defending set pieces, conceding three set piece goals in their five regular season games. The Galaxy is aware of this, and will be looking to take advantage with aerial threats like Rolf Feltscher and Daniel Steres pushing up and looking to create dangerous opportunities against a smaller LAFC backline.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
While this is already the eighth all-time matchup between the Los Angeles rivals, there is still some mystery heading into the game. LAFC will enjoy the return of Carlos Vela. But after an offensive explosion in Orlando led by Diego Rossi and Bradley Wright-Phillips, LAFC head coach Bob Bradley needs to find a way to integrate the reigning MVP back in the lineup. Even without recently-departed striker Adama Diomande, Bradley has an embarrassment of riches on the attacking side of the field, it will be interesting to see how LAFC balances Vela, Rossi, Brian Rodríguez and a rejuvenated Wright-Phillips.
For the Galaxy, there are questions about who will play, although it appears Dos Santos will be back and Hernandez is going to remain sidelined. Also be on the lookout for the recent Galaxy signing, Yony Gonzalez, who joins the club on loan from S.L. Benfica in Portugal’s top-flight.
