LA Galaxy at Houston Dynamo match preview: What to watch, projected starting XI and TV schedule

After a Dynamo team with nothing to play for bounced the LA Galaxy from the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, can the blue white & gold capture a road victory in Houston Sunday night to secure favorable playoff seeding?

What to watch

Sunday afternoon should mark the first occasion in some time Guillermo Barros Schelotto will have his strongest possible starting XI in the lineup. Favio Alvarez should be available as well as goalkeeper David Bingham, though the status of Romain Alessandrini is less certain.

LA’s defensive shape. When the Galaxy keeps teams from scoring late in halves, they win. When the team chases games, the back line has been exposed.

Surely the coaching staff is aware of this glaring weakness after last week’s shock defeat. How the back line adjusts is to be seen.

Golden Boot or nah? Though the odds of Zlatan catching up aren’t in Ibra’s favor, an early goal from the big Swede would send hearts across LA racing. At that point it’s up to the Galaxy (and Zlatan) to keep their composure and avoid chasing a record.

Speaking of records, Cristian Pavón is just one assist away from tying the MLS record for consecutive games with an assist held by former Galaxy midfielder Martin Machon, who was with the Miami Fusion at the time. Pavon logged his seventh consecutive game with an assist on Sunday to tie Andy Williams of RSL.

Projected starting XI

Lineup 11

How to watch

Date/Time Oct 6th 1:00 PT
Venue Dignity Health Sports Park
TV Spectrum SportsNet

Match officials

Referee
ARs Jeremy Hanson, Nick Uranga
4th official Elton Garcia
VAR Ricardo Salazar