Fourth-placed Los Angeles FC take on second-placed Minnesota United on Thursday in a clash at the top of the table in the MLS Western Conference.
The hosts trail their opponents by just a single point after 14 matches, but the visitors do have a game in hand yet to be played.
Match preview
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Los Angeles have hit the ground running since joining Major League Soccer as an expansion team in 2018, already winning the joint-third most Supporters' Shields thanks to first-place finishes in 2019 and 2022.
They also secured their first MLS Cup trophy in 2022 and almost went back-to-back as they reached the final last season, eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat to Columbus Crew.
While they look to be out of the race for a third Supporters' Shield with Inter Miami CF and FC Cincinnati already holding 10 and nine-point leads respectively, Los Angeles are in a good position to qualify and challenge for a second MLS Cup.
Steven Cherundolo, who has been in charge since January 2022, has his side fourth in the Western Conference coming into this game and a victory could see them move into second place, leapfrogging Minnesota Utd in the process.
A difficult start to the season saw them win only three of their first nine games, but a recent run of five straight victories across all competitions has them in great form coming into this one.
Los Angeles have already lost to Minnesota Utd this year, a 2-0 defeat in their fourth game, but they are yet to lose at home this season, something that will give them plenty of confidence here.
As for the visitors, they joined the division just a year before the hosts but have endured a slightly tougher time integrating into the league.
They have failed to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs in three of the seven seasons they have so far competed in MLS, recording their worst-ever finish when they ended 2023 in 11th place in the conference.
Despite that, this season they have progressed massively as they sit second in the Western Conference, four points behind the leaders Real Salt Lake, but with the advantage of two games in hand over those around them.
A slight slip-up saw them lose two and draw one from matchday five to seven, but they quickly reverted back on course with four wins and two draws in the following six fixtures.
They top the Western Conference for away results even though they have played just six times on the road, with every team from second to 12th playing between seven and nine times away from home.
The 11 matches between Minnesota Utd and Los Angeles have been extremely tough to call with each side recording victory on three occasions and the remaining five ending in draws.
Team News
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The hosts will be without the services of five players for this clash with second-placed Minnesota Utd.
Ilie Sanchez, David Martinez, Kei Kamara and Lorenzo Dellavalle all missed out on the tough-fought 1-0 victory against Atlanta United in their previous outing and are not expected to feature in this one.
Eduard Atuesta was sent off in that game for two yellow card offences, leaving 19-year-old Erik Duenas as a potential replacement in the middle of the park.
As for the visitors, Eric Ramsay will be unable to call upon the services of up to three of his squad.
Moses Nyeman remains a doubt for Minnesota Utd, while Hugo Bacharach is not expected to return from his injury until late next month.
Emanuel Reynoso is also not expected to play due to a series of off-field issues.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Murillo, Chanot, Long; Palencia, Tillman, Duenas, Campos; Olivera, Bogusz, Bouanga
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St Clair; Taylor, Arriaga, Boxall, Padelford, Rosales; Lod, Trapp, Harvey, Jeong; Oluwaseyi
We say: Los Angeles FC 1-1 Minnesota United
These two sides come into this game extremely evenly matched across all departments and, with five of their 11 meetings ending in draws, we expect this one to follow that trend and end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
