LA Galaxy vs Sporting Kansas City

Dignity Health Sports Park sets the stage for a mouth-watering Major League Soccer showdown between LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City.

Determined to return to the MLS Open Cup playoffs after last season’s disappointment, LA Galaxy have got the new campaign off to a promising start, racking up an impressive unbeaten ratio of 82% across the opening 17 rounds (W7, D7, L3). Though an unexpected 2-1 loss at Chicago Fire last time out knocked them down from a six-game unbeaten run (W2, D4), the hosts commence this matchday only five points adrift of the Western Conference leaders Real Salt Lake in 4th. The impending home return can inspire confidence around Greg Vanney’s camp, considering his men have gone from strength to strength at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, avoiding defeat in all eight MLS fixtures this season (W5, D3) and winning the last two ‘to one.’

On the other hand, troubled Kansas City reignited their hopes of securing playoff qualification with a come-from-behind 2-1 home win against Seattle Sounders last time out. In addition to arresting a dreadful seven-game losing MLS streak, they’ve reduced the gap on 9th-placed Portland Timbers to seven points. But after posting their first league victory since late March, they must visit uncharted territory to build momentum, seeking back-to-back MLS wins for the first time this season. Achieving that feat on the road could be a tall order, given Kansas City’s embarrassing run of five consecutive away league defeats! Indeed, the visitors have only won once on eight MLS travels this term (D2, L5).