LA Galaxy Sporting Kansas City match preview

Things aren't looking good for the Galaxy as they battle Sporting Kansas City this Sunday with playoff seeding on the line. (Sunday, 4 pm, ESPN)

Having just won once in their past six league matches, including a 5-2 rout at home vs. the Timbers last weekend, LA squandered an opportunity on Wednesday to claim a higher seed in CONCACAF Champions League play vs. Comunicaciones when a trademark Alan Gordon late winner was cancelled out by a last-second equalizer, forcing the Galaxy into an unwanted matchup vs. Liga MX side Santos Laguna in February.

And now the Galaxy have to travel to play a desperate Sporting Kansas City side, in a game SKC manager Peter Vermes is calling "a final". Sporting need three points to guarantee a playoff spot, while Galaxy needs a win to secure a first-round bye or LA could fall as far as 5th place. 

The Galaxy simply aren't getting results, and by now it's not an issue they can talk their way out of: LA is in a full-blown slump.

So what's wrong with the G's? Sean has already touched on the Galaxy's midfield imbalance, while the Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle argues no one is playing any defense, both are which are possible consequences of trying to fit Designated Players Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos into the lineup mid-season. LA may have been blowing teams out during the summer, but the formula isn't working anymore, and its up to Bruce to find a solution, and quick.

Don't forget to check out all the Decision Day coverage starting at 12:30 when the MLS website is streaming a live pre-game show.