Toronto FC vs LA Galaxy, 2016 MLS: Match Preview

Fresh of a 4-1 victory over La Maquina in the U.S. Open Cup, the LA Galaxy return to MLS action on Saturday as they pay a visit to The 6ix to take on Toronto FC.

It's been more than two weeks since the Galaxy last played a league game, and while Bruce Arena's side went into this international break winless in their last four games, the season has almost entirely been a positive one. As it stands, the Galaxy are fourth in the Western Conference and the highest scoring team in the league.

Above all, however, the most important thing has been the Galaxy's ability to take advantage of their squad depth. Injuries have inevitably popped up, and while Arena could have certainly done with Robbie Keane and Gyasi Zardes for a full season, it was a well known fact before the league started that they would potentially be missing for some time due to their international duties.

In that regard, Bruce Arena has built a a good side, and new signings Mike Magee and Emmanuel Boateng have done a satisfactory job when being tasked to take over for their missing teammates. As we all know, the Galaxy will once again be without both Keane and Zardes, and needless to say, not many teams have the luxury of having the ability to fall back on guys like Giovani dos Santos and Steven Gerrard when a pair of your key players are missing.

As such, the Galaxy will like their chances of breaking their winless run when they visit BMO Field on Saturday. Historically speaking, at least, the Galaxy have dominated Toronto FC in MLS, last losing during league play in 2008.

Of course, Toronto FC can still boast of having last season's MVP, the superb Sebastian Giovinco. The "atomic ant" has picked up where left off last season, scoring eight goals and notching five assists in just 13 league appearances, and few will disagree there aren't many players better than him in the league.

LAST MEETING

LA Galaxy 4-0 Toronto FC - July 5, 2015 - MLS

Robbie Keane scored a hat-trick and Sebastian Lletget added a fourth in stoppage time as the Galaxy cruised to a 4-0 win over Toronto.

LIKELY LINE-UPS

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

Toronto FC (4-3-3): Irwin; Morrow, Moor, Perquis, Beitashour; Osorio, Johnson, Delgado; Babouli, Giovinco, Lovitz