CD Guadalajara and Los Angeles Galaxy close out their Leagues Cup group-stage campaign with a clash at Dignity Health Sports Park on Monday.
LA Galaxy head into this one having already secured their place in the knockout stages, while Guadalajara still have work to do to make it through to the round of 32.
Match preview
© Reuters
Los Angeles Galaxy left it late to claim a 2-1 triumph over San Jose Earthquakes and get their Leagues Cup journey started on a high at Paypal Park.
That was a third straight win for Greg Vanney's men off the back of consecutive 3-2 league victories against Colorado Rapids and Portland Timbers.
As a result, the Goonies currently lead the way in Group Two, one point clear of San Jose and two clear of their next opponents ahead of the clash in California.
A win on Monday would see LA Galaxy join Austin FC and Portland Timbers as the only teams to have picked up maximum points from their two cup outings so far.
The hosts will be looking to put on a show in front of their fans, having scored at least two goals in all but one of their last 10 home matches.
© Imago
Guadalajara were defeated via a penalty shootout by San Jose Earthquakes in their opening cup involvement at the Levi's Stadium on Sunday.
Roberto Alvarado went from hero to zero in a couple of minutes after his last-gasp equaliser sent the tie to spot kicks, but he went on to fluff his lines from 12 yards having stepped up first for Fernando Gago's men.
That was a halt in momentum for Los Rebano Segardo, who had recently kickstarted their league season with two wins on the spin, after managing just one point from the first six available.
However, Guadalajara are not down and out by any means heading into their final group outing as they only need a draw to guarantee qualification into the next round.
Nonetheless, revenge will be on the agenda for Guadalajara against their American counterparts, who claimed a 2-0 win at the 2022 Leagues Cup Showcase tournament.
Team News
© Reuters
Guadalajara's Roberto Alvarado endured a mixed outing against San Jose but could be handed a starting role in this one.
Despite a relatively quiet performance in the aforementioned game, Cade Cowell remains one to look out for, having directly contributed to four goals in his last three league outings.
Gaston Brugman recently made his comeback from a leg injury for Los Angeles Galaxy, and the midfielder's return to action is certainly a welcome boost.
Backup goalkeeper Novak Micovic is set to keep his place between the sticks off the back of a rare starting appearance for the away side
Following his assist for Diego Fagundez's opener last time out, Gabriel Pec has now been directly involved in a whopping 20 goals across all competitions.
CD Guadalajara possible starting lineup:
Rangel; Mozo, G Sepulveda, L Sepulveda, Chavez; Gonzalez, Guzman, Gutierrez; Cowell, Alvarado, Marin
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
Micovic; Nelson, Yoshida, Neal, Yamane; Cerrillo, Delgado; Fagundez, Puig, Pec; Paintsil
We say: CD Guadalajara 1-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Guadalajara are in the last chance saloon to save their cup campaign, but knowing that a draw would suffice makes their job a tad easier here.
We can see the Mexican outfit scraping a share of the spoils to make it through to the Leagues Cup knockout stages.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
