Match Preview: LA Galaxy set for cross-conference matchup in Nashville
The LA Galaxy look to get back-to-back road wins early in the 2024 MLS season
The LA Galaxy will head out east to face Nashville SC and look to get another victory away from home. Last week’s win in San Jose has the LA Galaxy tied for first place in the Western Conference after two games.
Sunday’s matchup will be the fourth all-time meeting between the franchises. The last time these two clubs faced off, the Galaxy eliminated Nashville SC in the MLS Cup playoffs (Nashville was in the Western Conference in 2022) at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Nashville SC is coming off a 2-2 draw with Inter Miami in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Thursday night. The Tennesse club got off to a two-goal lead but Miami stormed back in stoppage time. Let’s get into the LA Galaxy’s road game on Sunday afternoon.
The Storyline
The LA Galaxy’s impressive performances continue to turn heads across the league. A win in Nashville could see the LA Galaxy hype-type train run even faster and with more people jumping on board.
On the defensive end, the Galaxy needs to maintain Nashville as a low-chance-creating team. In two MLS games, Nashville has yet to score a goal in open play (their lone goal came from the penalty spot).
With Hany Mukhtar returning to the lineup for the home team, I’d expect to see much more offensive production and danger in the final third. Jacob Shaffelburg had his breakout game of the season on Thursday with two goals against Miami. The Galaxy keeping their opponents attack mundane in this game will begin to show there is consistency in the backline.
The LA Galaxy attack came alive in its last game against the Earthquakes and showed the potential of Joseph Paintsil in the open. He can operate a different gear when in space and he will get shots on target to test the goalkeeper. With former MLS Defender of the Year Walker Zimmerman out for this game due to injury, Nashville’s defense could look vulnerable without their leader.
(Note: Gabriel Pec is out this weekend with a non-injury-related absence. MLS Season Pass Spanish broadcast mentioned last week that Pec will be getting married this week.)
Players to Watch
Dejan Joveljić, Striker
The Serbian forward is off to a fantastic start with two goals in two games. His play hasn’t been the most pleasing to watch but he’s getting the job done and that is ultimately what matters.
Vanney has told reporters that he doesn’t want Joveljić to be a striker involved in possession but rather one finishing up plays. That’s why he can sometimes look out of the game since his primary focus is making runs and he mostly gets touches during hold-up play.
When examining his shot selection, you see him in good areas of the pitch that are more likely to test the goalkeeper. His average shooting distance is from 7.3 yards out - the shortest tally on the team. Getting shots in this range is exactly what Joveljić needs to develop into an efficient and elite striker in MLS.
Tyler Boyd, Winger:
In his return to the U.S. last season, Boyd became a key player in the LA Galaxy attack. His work rate and pace made him a threat every match and he showed his dedication by playing through a broken hand and torn quad. In just one season, he left a great impression on the club despite the team performing well below their standards.
Boyd has yet to record a goal contribution for Nashville in MLS and CCC play but he remains that threat for teams. With the Galaxy dependent on rotations at right back, Boyd’s profile could cause LA to not be very aggressive at getting forward.
In the biggest and high-pressure games last season, Boyd elevated his level and racked up goal contributions. I wouldn’t be surprised to him be a pest against his former team and even get on the scoreboard.
The Big Question
Can the LA Galaxy take advantage of a tired and emotionally drained Nashville SC?
Nashville’s match against Miami was very physical and the comeback from the Herons dropped lots of heads once the final whistle was blown. While it’s early in the season still, the underwhelming start to the MLS season is not what the club was expecting.
Paintsil has mentioned being a killer in multiple postgame pressers and this is the game to do that. Nashville is vulnerable now and struggling to be a dangerous team. It doesn’t help that Zimmerman won’t be present to lead the team and be the defensive anchor
The Galaxy can’t afford to give Nashville a chance to get back into the game. These are the games that will prove to the rest of the league that they mean business. Despite having to travel across the country, the Galaxy feels like the team with momentum in this matchup.