Minnesota United have the weight of history as well as a well-drilled opponent to overcome in this MLS semi-final if they want to progress one stage closer to the final.
That’s because LA Galaxy are the current record holders in the competition, having won a record five MLS Cups, and being in the final on nine previous occasions. Get there again, and that’ll mean at least double the final appearances of any other MLS club.
This is a one-game shoot-out that’s likely to have everything.
Porous defense always make for a decent game, and both sides haven’t managed to shore up their back lines in anything like the manner expected.
Given the one-off nature of this game too, the forwards and attacking players might be even more expansive and likely to take on the half chances than usual.
Goals win games and this is a fixture that always provides plenty, with only two of the last 10 match-ups seeing less than three goals scored.
Current Form Favors The Hosts
In a fixture that the Galaxy have dominated, Minnesota could well have done with a decent run of current form to give them confidence. Despite the visitors remaining unbeaten in five, it’s the hosts that will go into the game with the edge thanks to a high-scoring attack.
| LA Galaxy | Draw | Minnesota United |
|---|---|---|
| -152 | +330 | +367 |
Head-to-Head: Nine Galaxy Wins But Nine Where They Haven’t
| Total | LA Galaxy | Minnesota United | Draws | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 |
| MLS Games | 16 | 8 | 3 | 5 |
| Goals | 65 | 35 | 30 |
Key Stats
- Minnesota United have only ever won this fixture in Los Angeles on a single occasion (June 2022).
- Three or more goals have been scored in this fixture on 14 separate occasions (out of 18 total games).
- Minnesota United have scored three goals on three of their last four visits to Dignity Health Sports Park.
- LA Galaxy have scored at least twice in four of their last five games.
- Minnesota United have only managed more than one goal in one of their last five games but went unbeaten in all five.
LA Galaxy Team News
Greg Vanney will be full of confidence heading into this one, more so because he doesn’t have a single injury in his squad to worry about at this point.
Possible Lineup:
John McCarthy (GK); John Nelson, Maya Yoshida, Carlos Garces, Miki Yamane, Riqui Puig, Edwin Cerillo, Marco Delgado, Jospeh Painstil, Dejan Joveljić, Marco Reus.
Minnesota United Team News
Eric Ramsay will also see his team take to the field at Dignity Health Sports Park with no injuries to speak of. A full, healthy roster for the most important game of the season.
Possible Lineup:
Dayne St. Clair (GK); Joseph Rosales, Jefferson Diaz, Michael Boxall, Carlos Harvey, Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Joaquin Pereyra, Wil Trapp, Hassani Dotson, Robin Lod, Kelvin Yeboah.
LA Galaxy vs. Minnesota United Prediction
There will be goals galore in this one, in keeping with what we’ve become used to in this fixture.
With the top six teams in the Western conference, LA Galaxy let in the most goals (50), followed by Minnesota United (49).
Given what’s at stake you might expect both defences to keep it tight, but that would fly in the face of how both teams want to play.
Expect lots of goalmouth action, tension and, ultimately, relief for one team.
The Galaxy have that bit more experience and that will help to get them over the line.
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