LA Galaxy vs Sporting Kansas City, 2016 MLS: Match Preview

In soccer, as in most things in life, things can change rather quickly. Didier Drogba's late strike means the LA Galaxy are now winless in their last three games. Not the worst of negative streaks by any means, but it certainly changes the narrative a little of a team that was just seconds away from going ten games unbeaten.

On Thursday, the LA Galaxy play host to Sporting Kansas City in their last game before a two-week break for the Copa America Centenario. It is time for Bruce Arena's side to take a deep breath and look to bounce back from their heartbreaking defeat in Montreal.

Above all else, however, they need to show resilience. They have not lost a single game at home this season, and given that, this is a team no one should want to play as the visiting team.

Sporting Kansas City, on the other hand, were underwhelming for their second straight home game. Peter Verme's side have won just once in their last ten games, but the bottom line is they will see this Galaxy team at their most vulnerable.

For the second game running, teams will be without several of their key players out on international duty. The Galaxy will be without both Gyasi Zardes and Robbie Keane, while Sporting KC will be missing Matt Besler and Graham Zusi.

Perhaps it might have been different had the teams clashed with all their available players , but with the Copa America Centenario only days away, both teams will be eager to leave a lasting impression as they head into the international break.

LAST MEETING

Sporting KC 1-1 LA Galaxy - May 1, 2016 - MLS

Brad Davis opened the scoring before Giovani dos Santos leveled the score with a brilliant chip as both sides settled for a 1-1 draw. Ashley Cole was sent off in the second half.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

LA Galaxy (4-4-2): Rowe; Rogers, Steres, Van Damme, Cole; Lletget, De Jong, Gerrard, Boateng; Dos Santos, Magee

Sporting KC (4-3-3): Melia; Abdul-Salaam, Ellis, Opara, Medranda; Nagamura, Olum; Feilhaber; Davis, Dwyer, Peterson