In an MLS Decision Day match that has playoff implications on both sides, the Los Angeles Galaxy will have their fate in their own hands when they travel to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday at Sandy, Utah.
The Galaxy (11-11-11, 44 points) have found some offense of late after scoring just two goals in their first five games following the World Cup break. They have multiple goals in each of their past seven games, including a 4-1 victory over Austin FC last Saturday.
Los Angeles is now 5-1-2 since the middle of September and can secure a playoff spot with a victory. The Galaxy enter in seventh place in the Western Conference, with the top nine clubs securing a postseason berth.
An LA draw combined with a loss or draw from any of three clubs — Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids — also allows the club to advance. The Galaxy can even move on with a loss if multiple scenarios fall their way.
“It’s always good to go into the final week and know that you don’t have to scoreboard watch, and that you have to take care of your own business,” Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney said. “And if you do that, you control your own destiny. … It’s on us.”
Last Saturday was the Galaxy’s highest-scoring match of the season and the result came on an opening goal from Joao Klauss with three assists from Marco Reus. Former FC Barcelona star Sergi Roberto rounded out the scoring with his first goal in 10 games for LA.
Real Salt Lake (12-15-6, 42 points) sit just outside the playoff line but can advance with a victory along with a loss or draw from the Sounders, Timbers or Rapids. Even a draw is good enough provided multiple final-day results go their way.
“Realistically speaking, we put ourselves in a position, which is a great position … to have to win at home,” RSL head coach Pablo Mastroeni said.
After a three-match winning streak, RSL dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker last Saturday on the road against the playoff-bound San Jose Earthquakes. Juan Manuel Sanabria scored the club’s lone goal in the 23rd minute.
RSL will welcome back designated player Morgan Guilavogui after he missed last Saturday’s match because of yellow-card accumulation. Guilavogui has three of his five goals over the past three matches.
RSL rookie forward Sergi Solans has 14 goals over 31 matches (27 starts) in MLS play.
–Field Level Media
