Los Angeles Galaxy will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak to seven matches when Philadelphia Union visit Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday.
Despite securing a key victory over arch-rivals Los Angeles FC last time out, the Galaxy remain second from bottom in the Western Conference, while Philly find themselves fifth in the Eastern Conference.
Match preview
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El Trafico invariably dishes up its fair share of thrills and spills, and last weekend's showdown between the two Los Angeles rivals was no different, as the Galaxy claimed a dramatic 2-1 victory over LAFC in front of a record MLS crowd.
More than 82,000 fans filled Pasadena's Rose Bowl to witness goals from Tyler Boyd and Ilie Sanchez, before former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig secured the bragging rights for the Galaxy with a 73rd-minute winner.
Greg Vanney's side have now avoided defeat in each of their last six matches, beating Real Salt Lake before recording four successive draws, with last weekend's triumph extending the Galaxy's hot streak.
Still, it is important to remember that LA Galaxy managed to win just two of their opening 14 MLS matches this season, recording three draws and nine losses in the process, so the five-time MLS Cup champions have plenty of work to do if they are to reach the playoffs.
It is also worth noting that Vanney's men have the worst defensive record and the second-worst offensive record in the Western Conference, meaning that LA Galaxy must improve at both ends of the pitch.
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When Philadelphia Union chalked up a nine-game unbeaten streak between April and June – picking up seven wins and two draws in the league – Jim Curtin's men looked destined to defend their Eastern Conference crown.
Since then, however, the Union have struggled for consistency, recording one win, one draw and two losses, and they have also faltered on the road in recent weeks, taking a single point from their previous three away outings.
Philadelphia head into Saturday's showdown on the back of a 2-0 defeat against Atlanta United, with the visitors managing a solitary attempt on target at Mercedes-Benz Stadium last weekend.
Even so, Philly remain five points inside the top seven in the Eastern Conference – and 15 points above LA Galaxy in the overall standings – having won 10 of their 20 league encounters this year.
In fact, only three teams in the entire league have picked up more victories than Curtin's side in 2023, so the Union will be confident of returning to winning ways against the Galaxy, who have won just four of their 20 MLS clashes this term.
Team News
Veteran striker Javier Hernandez (ACL) remains a long-term injury absentee for the Galaxy, while Memo Rodriguez (thigh) and Martin Caceres (avulsion fracture) also find themselves on the sidelines.
Greg Vanney may be tempted to stick with the XI that started last weekend's victory over LAFC, meaning that former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger Douglas Costa will join Tyler Boyd and Preston Judd in a three-man forward line.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Kelvin Leerdam and Chris Mavinga are expected to resume their centre-back partnership, with Lucas Calegari and Raheem Edwards occupying the full-back roles.
As for Philadelphia, Kai Wagner (hamstring) remains sidelined due to injury, while goalkeeper Andre Blake is representing Jamaica at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Joe Bendik will continue to deputise between the sticks for the Union, with Nathan Harriel, Jack Elliott and Jakob Glesnes expected to line up in front of the goalkeeper in a 3-4-1-2 formation.
Having racked up 12 goals and six assists this year, Argentine striker Julian Carranza will be joined in attack by Danish forward Mikael Uhre, who will aim to enhance his tally of six goals and six assists this weekend.
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Bond; Calegari, Leerdam, Mavinga, Edwards; Delgado, Burgman, Puig; Boyd, Judd, Costa
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Bendik; Glesnes, Elliott, Harriel; Mbaizo, Bedoya, Martinez, Flach; Gazdag; Carranza, Uhre
We say: Los Angeles Galaxy 0-1 Philadelphia Union
Granted, the Galaxy have upped their game in recent weeks, but Philadelphia possess more than enough quality to overcome the Western Conference strugglers.
The hosts are expected to put up a decent fight, but we can see Philly notching a narrow victory at Dignity Health Sports Park, enjoying a much-needed return to winning ways.
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Top tip
Ben Morris
