Minnesota United will look to make it four wins in a row when they host LA Galaxy at the Allianz Field on Wednesday.
LA Galaxy, who have been winless in their last three MLS outings, are all set to square up against high-flying Minnesota United. The visitors will look to return to winning ways, while the home team will look to continue their dominant run.
Minnesota United are currently second in the Western Conference with 20 points in their ten outings. They are just two points behind table-topper Real Salt Lake and have two games in hand. As a result, a positive result here will be a big boost for them.
Eric Ramsay’s team have won each of their last three MLS games, and it is their first such run since August 2022. The home side are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Atlanta United, and they will be quite confident about their chances against LA Galaxy.
The visitors are currently third in the Western Conference with 20 points in their 12 games. While LA Galaxy are level on points with Minnesota United, they have played two extra games and need to win here to close down the gap.
LA Galaxy have lost their last three away games against Minnesota, and this trip is not going to be easy for them given the home team’s current form. The visitors are heading into this one on the back of an incredible 2-2 draw against table toppers Real Salt Lake.
They were 2-0 down but bought back to salvage a point and will look for a better result against the 2nd-placed team. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Minnesota United
The home team will be without the services of Hassani Dotson, Clint Irwin, Hugo Bacharach, and Jordan Adebayo-Smith. Apart from the four everyone else is expected to be available for selection.
Minnesota United will go ahead with the 5-3-2 formation, where Dayne St. Clair will be in goal. David Justin Taylor and Devin Padelford will be the wing-backs, while the back three will be made up of Kevin Arriaga, Michael Boxall, and Miguel Tapias.
Joseph Rosales will feature in the centre of the park alongside Robin Lod and Wil Trapp. The trio will look to ensure they have the majority of the ball. In attack, Jeong Sang-bin will pair up with Tani Oluwaseyi.
Probable Lineup (5-3-2): Clair; Taylor, Arriaga, Boxall, Tapias, Padelford; Lod, Trapp, Rosales; Jeong, Oluwaseyi
LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy have no injury or suspension concerns, which means their manager has a full squad to choose from. The visitors will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with John McCarthy in goals. Miki Yamane and Julian Aude will be the full-backs for them, while Maya Yoshida and ccc will feature in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Marky Delgado will start alongside Gaston Brugman and Riqui Puig. They will look to ensure they dictate the tempo of this game. Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil will feature on the flanks. They will provide width to their attack, while Miguel Berry will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): McCarthy; Yamane, Yoshida, Neal, Aude; Delgado, Puig, Brugman; Paintsil, Berry, Pec
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- LA Galaxy have been winless in their last three visits to Allianz Field.
- Minnesota United have won each of their last three league games.
- Minnesota have only lost one out of their last seven games at home.
- The home team have failed to get the better of LA Galaxy in 11 of their last 14 meetings.
- LA Galaxy have been winless in their last three MLS games.
Player to Watch
Riqui Puig
Things might not have worked out for Puig at Barcelona, but the move to MLS seems to have helped him get back on track. He has been a consistent performer for LA Galaxy over the years, and they will hope he steps up once again to help them claim all three points.
The 24-year-old midfielder has featured in 11 league games so far this season and has contributed towards seven goals (3 goals, 4 assists). He has been a standout performer and if they want to walk out of this fixture with something, he will have to deliver another solid performance.
Prediction
Minnesota United 2-2 LA Galaxy
Minnesota United have been on a dominant run in recent weeks, and they have won their last three league games. On the other hand, the visitors have been winless in their last three outings, and they have not won even once in their last three trips to Allianz Field.
While the recent results and history favour the home team, LA Galaxy have enough quality in their ranks to bounce and get something out of their game. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw between Minnesota United and LA Galaxy.
