The LA Galaxy put an end to another busy MLS week when they return to Southern California and play host to the Vancouver Whitecaps at StubHub Center on Saturday.
How things quickly change in this league. Just last week, we were talking about the Galaxy heading towards another unbeaten run of nine straight league games, but now, Bruce Arena’s side is winless in their last five. Road trips, of course, are never easy, and back-to-back trips to New York and Chicago were always going to test the Galaxy.
But back home and in a place where the Galaxy have not lost this MLS season, Bruce Arena’s men will look to bounce back against currently one of the worst sides in the league. While the Whitecaps won their last encounter in a 3-0 victory over Sporting KC in the CONCACAF Champions League, the same can’t be said about their league form. The Whitecaps are winless in their last six league games, including four straight defeats.
If there was some silver lining in the Galaxy’s 2-2 draw at Chicago it is that Bruce Arena took the time to rest several of his players. Goalkeeper Brian Rowe, who missed the Galaxy’s road-trip due to a head injury, should be available for Saturday’s game, and Steven Gerrard and Giovani dos Santos are expected to be inserted back into the starting lineup. Here is the perfect opportunity for the Galaxy to get their first win in the month of August and keep pushing for a place in the playoffs.
LAST MEETING
LA Galaxy 2-0 Vancouver Whitecaps - July 4, 2016 - MLS
Steven Gerrard bagged two assists as the Galaxy held on for a comfortable 2-0 win over the Whitecaps on Independence Day.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
LA Galaxy (4-2-3-1): Rowe; DeLaGarza, Steres, Van Damme, Cole; De Jong, Gerrard; Zardes, dos Santos, Lletget; Keane
Whitecaps (4-2-3-1): Ousted; Parkers, Edgar, Waston, Jong; Jacobson, Laba; Bolanos, Mezquida, Barnes; Perez