LAFC at LA Galaxy
Sunday, April 16 at 1:30pm PT
Location: Dignity Health Sports Park - Carson, California
TV: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV (Free), FOX
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
LAFC secured its spot in the Concacaf Champions League semifinals after defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 on April 11 (6-0 aggregate) in the second leg of the CCL quarterfinals. The Black & Gold shift gears and travel to Carson on Sunday, April 16 to take on cross-town rival Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The rivals meet for the first time this year after their first matchup on Feb. 25 was postponed due to inclement weather.
The Black & Gold took the last matchup in dramatic fashion defeating the Galaxy 3-2 in the 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs enroute to winning the MLS Cup Final.
The teams have won each of their last two home games against each other, which includes LAFC winning the last two matchups vs the Galaxy, but LAFC have been unable to win in Carson (0-6-2) in the Club’s history.
The Galaxy currently sit in 13th place of the Western Conference Standings with three points and three goals scored though six games played this season. They were last defeated by the Houston Dynamo 3-0 on April 8.
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GALAXY IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Greg Vanney, the Galaxy are off to their slowest start since 1997 where they also started the season with three points through six matches. The club ended 2022 on a 5-1-5 run and entering the playoffs as the 4th seed in the Western Conference before being knocked out by LAFC.
Regardless of form, the Galaxy like to play LAFC tough as they own the all-time head-to-head record (7-5-5). The Galaxy find themselves in familiar position as they handed LAFC its first loss of the 2022 season last April, defeating them 2-1 in Carson.
The Galaxy will be without Designated Player Douglas Costa and defender Martín Cáceres due to red card suspension but are expected to have Chicharito Hernandez, who has missed most of 2023 with a hamstring injury.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They continue their early season strong form. The Club has outscored opponents 9-0 through four games this month and captain Carlos Vela has scored 10 goals in 11 games against the Galaxy. The Black & Gold need Vela and Denis Bouanga’s goal scoring to continue as well as the dominant showing by the LAFC backline, which has not allowed a goal in 20 days since their game vs. Dallas on March 25.
GALAXY CAN WIN IF
They turn their slow start around and get the support from their home crowd that they need. Forward Dejan Joveljic has had his share of success against LAFC in the past and will be a threat to the LAFC defense along with midfielder Riqui Puig, who is primed to leave his mark in this rivalry.
