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And so, we are getting down to the business end of the MLS regular season. Last week, the LA Galaxy made best out of the Landon Donovan craze and earned an emphatic 4-2 win over Orlando City SC. Now, with only five games remaining, the Galaxy travel to Kansas City to take on Sporting KC.
It probably delights Galaxy fans to know that Landon Donovan is back playing for Bruce Arena’s side. The once jewel of the U.S. Men’s National team played a total of seven minutes in his much-anticipated return to the soccer fields.
Against Orlando, though, there were encouraging signs, not from Landon Donovan but the player that now wears his former number. Giovani dos Santos has been in something of a tear lately. The Mexican forward has amassed a total of seven goals and three assists in his last seven league games.
Gio has also helped the Galaxy stay unbeaten in their last five games. After wobbling a bit on the road this second half of the season, the Galaxy have recovered their step and are currently second in the Western Conference standings. Of course, their best work has been done at home, as is the case with most MLS teams, but even if Sporting KC present a tough away trip for the Galaxy, the playoffs are within touching distance for Bruce Arena’s side.
Sporting KC arrive to this match after a midweek defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps. They are winless in their last four matches in all competitions, and they will need to right the ship immediately if they want to avoid late drama for a playoff spot.
History, however, is on Sporting KC’s side. In total, Sporting KC have not lost an MLS home match to the LA Galaxy since 2007. In fact, both teams already met once at Children's Mercy Park earlier this season, with both teams settling for a 1-1 draw after the Galaxy took a late first half lead.
LAST MEETING
LA Galaxy 0-0 Sporting KC - June 3, 2016 - MLS
Sporting KC and the Galaxy bored to a goalless stalemate at StubHub Center.
LIKELY LINE-UPS
LA Galaxy (4-2-3-1): Rowe; Rogers, Steres, Van Damme, Cole; Husidic, Larentowicz; Boateng, dos Santos, Lletget; Keane
Sporting KC (4-3-3): Kann; Abdul-Salaam, Ellis, Coelho, Besler; Feilhaber, Mustivar, Espinoza; Peterson, Dwyer, Davis