Match Preview: LA Galaxy vs Minnesota United
Wednesday match decides if LA's playoff hopes slither away or stay in touching distance
The LA Galaxy and Minnesota United will meet for the 13th time at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday night. The pressure is on for the Galaxy as they have picked up two out of nine available points in the club’s last three matches.
Following their 4-2 loss to LAFC, the Galaxy hope to get back to winning ways. Greg Vanney’s team is undefeated in their last six games at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Minnesota is coming off a 1-0 loss at home to Sporting Kansas City. They remain in the play-in spots in the West and just one point behind the line. Adrian Heath’s team is undefeated in their last three home games (2 wins, 1 draw).
On Tuesday afternoon, the LA Galaxy announced center back Jalen Neal underwent a successful sports hernia surgery and he will be out indefinitely. Douglas Costa is questionable for Wednesday night due to a hamstring issue that bothered him toward the end of last week.
Let’s get into the preview for this critical match in Carson.
The Storyline
This match is the first of two meetings in the next five games between these two teams - a key series that will determine LA’s playoff hopes and shape the Western Conference. Following the match with Minnesota, the Galaxy will play Austin, Portland - other teams in the playoff hunt. Here is a look at the current Western Confrence standings.
Minnesota has yet to taste defeat against the LA Galaxy in the last four encounters between the clubs. LA’s always had their struggles with the Loons. Most notably during 2021 Decision Day when both clubs tied 3-3 and eliminated the Galaxy from playoff contention.
While the stakes aren’t has high compared to that game, Vanney’s side needs to get a result. Spots 8 through 13 are separated by seven points and any more separation will make the Galaxy’s playoff aspirations look less probable.
With a win, the Galaxy knock points off an opponent in the West and LA get some momentum heading into their road trip to Austin. A draw or loss complicates this mission as it makes every game moving forward a must-win and relies on scores across the league to make the playoff gap smaller.
Players to Watch
LA: Riqui Puig, Midfielder
The Spanish midfielder struggled to have an offensive impact against LAFC last weekend. He didn’t create a single chance in the game for the third time this season.
It’s important to note that Puig is dealing with groin discomfort which is keeping him from being 100%. With how crucial he is to LA’s attack, his being off the field or not in his usual elite form will cause a monumental shift to the attack.
When the burden falls on Puig, he tends to play like that. He will continuously attempt line-breaking passes and will try to dribble past defenders to create space. If Costa can play against the Loons, it provides a playmaker out wide and allows Puig to get in great positions off the ball to progress the play.
I’m interested to see if he looks like his normal self or if the discomfort is affecting his game. The Galaxy’s playoff hopes is contingent on Puig’s performances on the pitch.
Min: Emanuel Reynoso, Attacking Midfielder
Some players just have a knack for scoring against some teams. That is Reynoso with the LA Galaxy. In five career games against LA, he scored four goals. He’s the Loon’s best chance creator and tied for the most goals on the team with six on the campaign.
Minnesota tends to use through balls and pace out wide to create their chances. Reynoso’s key to that due to his elite vision and ability to dribble out of trouble to progress his team’s attack. He is in the top 99 percentile in chance created (3.7) and successful take-ons (4.9) among attacking midfielder in the league.
Reynoso tends to drift out wide and is given a free-roam role to get the ball as often as possible. The defensive midfielders will have a major task at hand, just always remember to not let him cut onto his left foot.
Winning Edge: Finish It!
These two teams have their struggles finishing their chances, especially Minnesota. The Loons lead in MLS with the worst G-xG tally at -12.9. This is what’s kept them from being one of the top teams in the West and cementing themselves in a playoff spot.
Winger Bongokuhle Hlongwane is statically one of the worst finishers in MLS. His -5.1 G-xG tally is the worst among all players in the league. He’s a dangerous player that gets into great positions but the right finish is missing consistently.
The Galaxy had their struggles in front of goal earlier in the season but their striker core is still lacking in that department. Dejan Joveljic's struggles in front of the net add up to a -4.1 G-xG number - the third-worst tally in the league.
Striker Billy Sharp has scored three goals in 163 minutes of playing time - a goal every 54.3 minutes. He played 71 minutes on Saturday and will likely start on the as he’s in good form.
Both teams are going to give up chances. Who’s going to take advantage of that and be lethal in front of goal.