LAFC vs LA Galaxy
Tuesday, May 23 at 7:30pm PT
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup - Round of 16
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, California
TV: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App, Paramount+, Pluto TV
Radio: 710 AM ESPN, ESPN LA App, 980 AM La Mera Mera
LAFC defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in a 2-1 thriller at BMO Stadium on Saturday, May 20. The Black & Gold now host rival Galaxy in the Round of 16 of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, May 23 at BMO Stadium.
With the win over its Northern California rival, LAFC sit atop the Western Conference standings with 25 points through 12 games played. Those 25 points are the most by any defending MLS Cup champion after 12 matches of a season in MLS history.
LAFC and Galaxy will meet in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for the second time in two years, as the Galaxy knocked out LAFC in 2022 at Dignity Health Park in the Round of 16.
The Black & Gold enter Tuesday with a three-game winning streak over the Galaxy in all competitions -- including a 3-2 win on April 16 in Carson in MLS regular season action.
The Galaxy are coming off a 3-0 loss at the hands of DC United on Saturday, May 20 in MLS league play.
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GALAXY IN-DEPTH
Led by head coach Greg Vanney, the Galaxy are off to one of the slowest starts in team history, managing just nine points through 13 games, but they advanced past a heavily rotated Seattle Sounders squad in the U.S Open Cup Round of 32.
Regardless of form, the Galaxy like to play LAFC tough as they own the all-time head-to-head record (7-6-5).
Galaxy are expected to be without defenders Sega Coulibaly, Chris Mavinga, and Designated Player Douglas Costa as they recover from lower leg injuries.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can continue their strong, disciplined play that has rocketed them to the top of the Western Conference standings. With one eye on the upcoming Concacaf Champions League Final, LAFC used a heavily rotated lineup consisting of mostly LAFC2 players in their Round of 32 win over Monterrey Bay. In front of the home crowd at BMO Stadium, Steve Cherundolo has said he is not yet sure who will appear in this one, but the Black & Gold could be aided by any veteran presence on and off the field to hold off a Galaxy team looking to get back track in 2023.
GALAXY CAN WIN IF
They turn their slow start around and take advantage of an LAFC lineup using young players. 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.
