LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney has praised his attacking players' confidence and hopes they can build on it against Portland Timbers on Wednesday.

The Galaxy came from 2-0 down with a superb second-half comeback against rivals Los Angeles FC last time out, winning 4-2 to go seven points clear in the Western Conference.

They have lost just one of their last five MLS matches, but that did come in their last away match, a 2-1 defeat to St. Louis City.

However, Vanney insisted his team can find the balance they need at both ends of the field to get another win.

"This team is built to attack, especially if you look at the guys we have on the field," Vanney said.

"We have some high-quality attacking guys. Over the course of the year, we've grown a ton of confidence to score goals and finish chances, but it comes down to the balance of being able to do that and being able to defend by not giving up things."

They face a Portland team coming off the back of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Colorado Rapids at the weekend, leaving them eighth in the table.

The Timbers have won just one of their last four league outings, though that did come at home against Seattle Sounders.

Head coach Phil Neville was disappointed by the weekend's defeat but admitted it would be quickly put behind them.

"At this stage of the season, you can't dwell on [losses]," Neville said.

"We can be frustrated and disappointed, the players are as well, but the game plan was there [against Colorado], we didn't execute it.

"But now it's back to Providence Park on Wednesday which will be an amazing game in an amazing atmosphere."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander has recorded an assist in eight consecutive home matches, equalling the MLS record set by Eric Wynalda in 1996-97.

Evander's nine straight matches overall with a goal contribution equals the Timbers' club record set by Diego Valeri in 2017.

LA Galaxy – Riqui Puig

Riqui Puig starred for the Galaxy in the derby against LAFC, scoring once and getting two assists. He is the third player to reach double-figure goals for LA Galaxy in the 2024 regular season (10, behind Dejan Joveljic on 14 and Gabriel Pec on 11).

This is the fourth time the Galaxy have had three different players score 10 goals in a season (1998, 2014, 2018), tied for the most such seasons in MLS history (San Jose Earthquakes).

MATCH PREDICTION: PORTLAND TIMBERS WIN

Portland are unbeaten in 11 straight home matches in all competitions, winning nine of them (D2). This is the Timbers' longest home unbeaten run across all competitions since a 12-match stretch from April to July 2018.

However, the Galaxy are unbeaten in seven straight regular-season matches against Portland (W4 D3), including a 3-2 home win on July 20. The only longer unbeaten run against the Timbers in regular season play was an eight-match streak by Real Salt Lake from 2011-14.

The Galaxy have already won at Vancouver and drawn at Seattle this season. LA has avoided defeat in away matches against all three Cascadia clubs in a single season twice before, doing so in 2014 and 2016, but they are not the favourites to win here.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Portland Timbers – 45.2%

Draw – 26.9%

LA Galaxy – 28%

LA Galaxy stunned derby rivals Los Angeles FC on Saturday with a superb second-half comeback to seal a 4-2 victory.

They overturned a 2-0 half-time lead with four unanswered goals around Lewis O'Brien's sending-off, becoming the first team in the Western Conference to clinch a playoff spot.

Mateusz Bogusz gambled by peeling away to the back post and was in the right place to head Denis Bouanga's deflected cross into the back of the net after just four minutes.

Just 11 minutes later, Bouanga made another driving run down the left and went for goal himself, drilling a low shot past John McCarthy from a tight angle. They could have had a third before the break, but Olivier Giroud's half-volley struck the inside of the post.

Dejan Joveljic got his first, rifling into the roof of the net after a wonderful turn, and just two minutes later, Edwin Cerrillo scored a stunning goal of his own, beating Hugo Lloris from distance by curling it in off the outside of his boot.

Joveljic's second was opportunistic – he stuck out a leg to help Riqui Puig's strike past a wrong-footed Lloris from just in front of the goal line.

O'Brien was then shown a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Miki Yamane before Puig rounded off the scoring with a whipped effort into the near post.

Data Debrief: Home advantage

To use an old cliche, it was a game of two halves, with LA Galaxy proving just why they are top of the table, and eight points clear of LAFC, in a brilliant second 45 minutes.

However, this is the first time they have won after trailing at half-time in MLS since March 24 against Sporting Kansas City, which they won 3-2, ending a seven-game run.

The Galaxy have now won 11 of their last 12 regular-season matches at Dignity Health Sports Park (D1), including the last nine in a row.

Steve Cherundolo has urged Los Angeles FC to control their emotions when they face the LA Galaxy in an El Trafico clash that could decide the top seed in the Western Conference.

LAFC sit four points adrift of the Galaxy at the top of the West with two games in hand to come, though they have only won one regular-season match since July 5.

Cherundolo's team did beat the Galaxy 2-1 when the sides last met in April, though, and he says his team must keep their cool at Dignity Health Sports Park if they are to take three points.

"It's another great setup and matchup and I'm looking forward to it," Cherundolo said. "There's always things going on in this game, there's always emotion spilling over.

"They're always tight matches and I hope that our ideas will be effective and implemented well by our players. 

"That needs to happen over 90 minutes, not just for 45 minutes or 60 or 70. Then I think we could come away with something tangible."

The Galaxy, meanwhile, were beaten 2-1 at St. Louis City last time out, their first loss in MLS play since they went down by a 2-0 scoreline at FC Dallas in mid-July.

Head coach Greg Vanney believes Saturday's game will be decided by fine margins.

"This is a high, high level game, it's what it's all about. They're obviously a very good team and have different ways that they can catch you and beat you," Vanney said.

"They're a tough defensive team as well. When you're playing the highest level of games in our league it becomes about details and moments.

"That's what these games become about. You hope during the course of the season you get better and better and tighten up on some of those things, learning a bit about each other."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Nine of Pec's 11 goals and eight of his 11 assists in regular-season play in 2024 have come in home matches. 

Only Lionel Messi (19) has more goal contributions in home matches than Pec's 17 in 2024.

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga 

Bouanga has scored six goals in six career matches against the Galaxy in all competitions. 

No player has scored more against the Galaxy in all competitions since Bouanga made his LAFC debut in September 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW 

LAFC have won six of their last eight matches against the Galaxy in all competitions (two losses) including each of the last three. 

LAFC had won just three of the first 15 editions of El Trafico (five draws, seven losses). They have, however, only won one of their last five regular-season matches, drawing two and losing two.

The Galaxy, meanwhile, have won 10 of their last 11 regular-season matches at Dignity Health Sports Park (one draw) including the last eight in a row. A point may be the best the visitors can hope for, even with their strong record in local derbies.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 33.7%

Los Angeles FC – 40.6%

Draw – 25.7%

Marcel Hartel's second-half strike compounded Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of St. Louis City. 

Cedric Teuchert's early strike was cancelled out by Gabriel Pec's equaliser 50 seconds into the second half, only for Hartel, who signed from St. Pauli in July, to net his third goal on his sixth appearance for the club.

Having failed to win in their last five MLS fixtures, St. Louis took the lead with just nine minutes on the clock as Teuchert punished John McCarthy's poor clearance. 

In a fairly even contest, parity was restored shortly after the interval as Galaxy substitue Miguel Berry made an instant impact from the bench with his flick finding Pec who finished emphatically. 

But Hartel would have the final say, steering Jayden Reid's inviting cross home in the 68th minute, leaving Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney dissappointed in the result and his players, who were unable to adapt to the conditions. 

“I'm disappointed in the result for sure. More for me, it's being able to manage the conditions and still be able to perform on things that we need to perform on the day," Vanney said.

"That's what's important in this time of the season. That then also translates into results. I think you'll see across the league at this time of year, we see it all during the year. 

"We've got to be at the point in the season where we have to manage whatever the conditions are and still perform and execute upon the things that we need to execute to have the game look how we want it to look and see it out in the ways we need to.

"I felt like we didn't do that today. So it's disappointing. It happens in the course of the season. We have to bounce right back."

Data Debrief: Hero Hartel to the rescue

St. Louis' triumph saw them end a run of consecutive draws against the Galaxy, having shared the spoils in their last three encounters in the MLS. 

Hartel was the player to strike the decisive blow and now has three MLS goal involvements (one goal and two assists) since his move to St. Louis in July. 

Joseph Paintsil was a particular standout for the visitors, recording the most touches in the oppositions box (13) as well as playing 18 passes into the final third.

Marcel Hartel's second-half strike compounded Western Conference leaders LA Galaxy to a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of St. Louis City. 

Cedric Teuchert's early strike was cancelled out by Gabriel Pec'S equaliser 50 seconds into the second half, only for Hartel, who signed from St. Pauli in July, to strike his third goal on his sixth appearance for the club.

Having failed to win in their last five MLS fixtures, St. Louis took the lead with just nine minutes on the clock as Teuchert punished John McCarthy's poor clearance. 

In a fairly even contest, parity would be restored shortly after the interval as Galaxy substitue Miguel Berry made an instant impact from the bench with his flick finding Pec who finished emphatically. 

But Hartel would have the final say, steering Jayden Reid's inviting cross home in the 68th minute, leaving Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney dissappointed in the result and his players, who were unable to adapt to the conditions. 

“I'm disappointed in the result for sure. More for me, it's being able to manage the conditions and still be able to perform on things that we need to perform on the day," Vanney said.

"That's what's important in this time of the season. That then also translates into results. I think you'll see across the league at this time of year, we see it all during the year. 

"We've got to be at the point in the season where we have to manage whatever the conditions are and still perform and execute upon the things that we need to execute to have the game look how we want it to look and see it out in the ways we need to.

"I felt like we didn't do that today. So it's disappointing. It happens in the course of the season. We have to bounce right back."

Data Debrief: Hero Hartel to the rescue

St. Louis' triumph saw them end a run of consecutive draws against the Galaxy, having shared the spoils in their last three encounters in the MLS. 

Hartel was the player to strike the decisive blow and now has three MLS goal involvements (one goal and two assists) since his move to St. Louis in July. 

Joseph Paintsil was a particular standout for the visitors, recording the most touches in the oppositions box (13) as well as playing 18 passes into the final third.

Marco Reus is desperate to bring silverware to the LA Galaxy after making a flying start to his time in MLS, with St. Louis City the destination for his first road game on Sunday.

Reus registered a goal and an assist on debut last week as the Galaxy beat Atlanta United 2-0, maintaining their grip on top spot in the Western Conference.

The Galaxy are five points clear of local rivals Los Angeles FC at the top of the standings ahead of Sunday's trip to St. Louis, who are 13th and 10 points adrift of the playoff picture.

Reus' arrival in Los Angeles has caused plenty of fanfare, but he is focused solely on the team's collective aims.

"It's not about me, it's about the team," he said. "We want to be champions. So we take it game by game.

"Besides the traffic, it's really amazing. The people are so friendly. The weather, it's really nice. When you wake up in the morning and the sun is shining, you start the day differently.

"So I'm really, really happy every morning I come into the dressing room. I'm just happy and excited."

St. Louis played out a thrilling 4-4 draw with the Portland Timbers last week, twice throwing away a two-goal lead to leave interim coach John Hackworth bewildered. 

"Really don't know what to say," Hackworth said. "It's hard to imagine coming to a place like this and scoring four goals, being up, and then just losing one-versus-one defensive battles.

"Sometimes, the number of goals you give up, or the number of goals you score, can hide a lot of the transition moments.

"An easy way to prevent some of these defensive miscues from happening is to just be better with the ball."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

St. Louis City – Eduard Lowen

Lowen scored his fourth goal of the MLS season last time out, converting from the penalty spot as St. Louis drew 4-4 with the Timbers.

Only Joao Klauss, with five goals, has outscored him for St. Louis this term.

LA Galaxy – Marco Reus

Reus is one of 20 players in MLS history to record a goal and an assist on his regular-season debut. 

He is also the fifth Galaxy player to do so, after Steven Gerrard, Andreas Herzog, Giovani dos Santos and Sasha Victorine. No other team have had more than two players achieve the feat.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Galaxy have won 10 of their last 13 regular-season matches, the first time they have done so in a single season since 2011. LA have not recorded 11 wins in a span of 14 matches within a single regular season in the post-shootout era (since 2000).

It would be no surprise to see the points shared in this one, though. All three meetings between St. Louis and the Galaxy have ended level, all with different scorelines (1-1, 2-2, 3-3).

St. Louis have only won one of the last six matches in which they have held the lead in regular-season play dating back to the beginning of June (four draws, one defeat).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

St. Louis City – 35.8%

LA Galaxy – 38.1%

Draw – 26.1%

Marco Reus is available to make his debut for LA Galaxy as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the Western Conference when they take on Atlanta United.

The 35-year-old's signing until the end of the 2026 MLS season was confirmed last week after he brought the curtain down on a 12-year spell at Borussia Dortmund

Despite leaving Europe, Reus still holds ambitions of lifting silverware in the United States, with the Galaxy in a promising position as MLS returns following a break for the Leagues Cup.

The Galaxy are top of the Western Conference on 49 points, four behind East leaders Inter Miami in the race for the Supporters' Shield.

In his introductory press conference, Reus said: "I'm here to help the team and to win championships. So that's the reason you play football. And of course that’s the reason why I’m here.

"The goal is for the club to win the championship and be successful. It's been 10 years since we won the championship, the time is now and I'm ready, I think the team is ready, so we're ready."

Reus joins an attack that has already scored 50 goals this season, the third most of any MLS side, and the Galaxy will hope his signing further galvanises their trophy bid as they aim to move on from their disappointing defeat to the Seattle Sounders in the Leagues Cup.

Saturday's opponents, Atlanta United, also suffered an early exit from that competition, and they will hope a good showing can set the tone for a strong run-in.

Atlanta have not played in nearly three weeks, but veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan welcomed the break in terms of providing both a physical and mental reset, as the Five Stripes approach the last nine matches of the regular season.

The ex-Aston Villa man said: "For us, it's been a time to hit the reset button and really look at things.

"We have been able to use it to our advantage. We understand the necessity to get points. We understand the urgency."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

Reus may be the new attraction, but Gabriel Pec has contributed to a goal in a Galaxy-record 11 straight regular-season home matches.

He has been involved in 17 goals (9 goals, 8 assists) in 13 home matches this season as only Lionel Messi (19) has more goal involvements in regular-season home matches in MLS in 2024.

Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze

Saba Lobjanidze (one goal, three assists) has been involved in each of Atlanta's last four regular-season goals.

His last two assists, both against the Columbus Crew on July 20, came off corners after he had not recorded an assist off a corner in his first 29 career MLS matches.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy have won nine of their last 12 regular season matches (L3) dating back to late May. This is the first time LA have won nine times in a span of 12 league games since July-September 2014, the Galaxy's last MLS Cup-winning season.

Atlanta, meanwhile, have lost three straight regular-season road matches for the first time since April 2022. It has been five years since the Five Stripes had a longer league losing streak on the road, losing six in a row on their travels in May-July 2019.

The Galaxy earned their first points against Atlanta the last time the sides met, winning 2-0 at home in July 2022. Atlanta had won the first three meetings between the sides by a combined score of 9-0.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

LA Galaxy - 50.0%

Draw - 25.3%

Atlanta United - 24.8%

Marco Reus has completed a move to the MLS, linking up with the LA Galaxy after leaving Borussia Dortmund at the end of last season. 

Reus, who made 429 appearances across a 12-year stint with Die Schwarzgelben, has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract through to the end of the 2026 campaign. 

During his time with Dortmund, the 35-year-old registered 301 goal contributions (170 goals and 131 assists), winning four major honours in the process. 

He has twice been voted German Footballer of the Year, as well as receiving the Bundesliga Player of the Season on three occasions.

Reus featured in both of Dortmund's Champions League final losses, with his last outing for the club coming in their 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley back in June. 

The former German international ended the campaign with 14 goal contributions (six goals and eight assists) in the league last season, a total only bettered by Julian Brandt (18) and Niclas Fullkrug (20). 

“We are excited to welcome Marco to the team,” said Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney. 

“He is a proven winner and leader whose talent and vision for the game will integrate seamlessly into the group as we prepare for the restart of the league and the run into the playoffs.”

The Galaxy return to MLS action on August 25 when they face Atlanta United as they look to remain at the summit of the Western Conference. 

Vanney and his side were knocked out of the Leagues Cup last week following a 3-1 defeat to Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field. 

Phil Neville has urged the Portland Timbers to remain grounded as they look to continue their upturn against the Western Conference's outstanding team in the LA Galaxy.

The Timbers are seventh in the standings, occupying a playoff place, after recording an excellent 3-0 win over high-flying Real Salt Lake last Saturday.

That was their fifth win in their last six matches, the only blot on their record during that span being a 3-2 loss at FC Dallas.

With the Galaxy leading the way in the West, two points clear of Los Angeles FC and Real Salt Lake and 10 ahead of Portland, Neville knows Saturday's match will be a real test.

"We've come off a really good weekend and we gave the players a couple of days off just to regroup," Neville said this week. "This is the last push of this little section of the season. 

"We've got to keep our feet on the ground, I think that's really important, because there's a lot of football still to be played. 

"We are a team that has grown in confidence and got momentum but we can still improve, and this is a big test against one of the best teams in the conference."

The Galaxy, who beat the Colorado Rapids 3-2 in their last match on Wednesday, could be set to receive a major boost with former Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus in talks regarding a move.

While the deal is not yet done, head coach Greg Vanney knows what the German would bring to California. 

"Anyone that we hopefully add in the summer window is somebody who can continue to make the team better," Vanney said shortly before the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opened.

"A player of his profile gives you experience, gives you quality, it gives you versatility, also a winning mentality, a championship mentality.

"Those types of things are always good for teams."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec 

Pec has contributed to a goal in 10 straight home matches (eight goals, eight assists), equalling Robbie Keane's club-record mark set between 2012 and 2013. 

He is the first player in team history to record a goal contribution in 10 straight home matches within a single season.

Portland Timbers – Evander 

Evander recorded a goal and an assist in Portland's win over Real Salt Lake last week, his fifth straight match with a goal contribution. 

Only Diego Valeri (nine straight in 2017) has had a longer run of consecutive games with a goal contribution in the Timbers' MLS history.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy are unbeaten in six straight meetings with the Timbers (three wins, three draws) though the last three meetings have all ended level. 

This is the longest unbeaten run by either team against the other in all competitions since Portland joined MLS in 2011 (36 meetings).

With the Galaxy winning eight of their last 11 matches, the first time they have managed that many victories in an 11-game span since 2015, they are favourites to edge what should be an entertaining contest.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY 

LA Galaxy – 48.7%

Portland Timbers – 25.6%

Draw – 25.7%

Greg Vanney hit out at a "purposeless" first-half display from his LA Galaxy side after their 2-0 loss to FC Dallas.

The Galaxy, who are third in the Western Conference, have now lost two of their last three games following that defeat to Dallas last time out.

They host the Colorado Rapids, who are one place and five points behind them in the West, next.

And Vanney wants a more aggressive performance.

"We were purposeless in the first half," Vanney said after the Dallas defeat, as reported by The Galactic Tribune.

"It's like we were going to win the game putting together ten thousand passes and going nowhere and that is what we said at half time.

"We were down 2-0 because we deserved to be down 2-0. We had three shots in the first half, all of them from 25 yards away.

"It just comes down to the overall aggressiveness of our group."

Wingers Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil could not wield their usual influence on proceedings in the first half against Dallas, though Vanney believes the Galaxy stumbled on a solution after the break.

He added: "In the second half, we were able to get [Pec and Paintsil] better looks.

"One-on-one situations or getting them on the run so they're attacking aggressively, and then they have an impact on the game. We've got to do more of that. I'm not interested in being a possession team for the sake of passing the ball around.

"We need to use possession to put the opposition on their heels to score goals to bury them and make them feel like we're relentlessly coming at them, not so they can set up and be comfortable and turn us over and go the other way."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy - Gabriel Pec

Pec has been involved in a goal in nine straight home matches (8 goals, 6 assists), equalling the longest single-season streak in Galaxy history (Landon Donovan in 2005, Robbie Keane in 2012).

Keane had a streak of 10 straight home matches with a goal contribution spanning the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Colorado Rapids - Jonathan Lewis

Lewis has scored four goals in nine career matches against the Galaxy while not scoring more than twice against any other opponent.

All four of those goals were scored at Dignity Health Sports Park, including one in Colorado's 3-1 win at the Galaxy last May.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

Colorado have lost only one of their last seven matches (W5 D1) conceding three goals in that lone defeat (at Los Angeles FC) and conceding a total of four goals in the other six games, not allowing more than one in any of them.

The Galaxy have won seven of their last nine home matches (D1 L1) with the only loss in that time coming at the Rose Bowl against LAFC. LA have not lost at Dignity Health Sports Park since a 4-1 defeat to Dallas last October, avoiding defeat in 10 straight matches in Carson (W7 D3) since.

Colorado, however, have won seven of their last 11 matches against the Galaxy (D3 L1) dating back to 2018. The Rapids had won six of their previous 24 meetings with the Galaxy in all competitions dating back to April 2009.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy - 53.7%

Colorado Rapids - 22.6%

Draw - 23.8%

Greg Vanney is anticipating another draining week for his LA Galaxy players as they head to Texas to tackle FC Dallas.

The Galaxy played two home games in quick succession, losing to rivals Los Angeles FC and beating Minnesota United, before a break ahead of this match.

But the July heat means Vanney sees this next task being little easier for his side, with another home double-header quickly following as the Colorado Rapids and the Portland Timbers visit LA.

"We have a couple of days from a busy and emotional week, just to reset physically and mentally, and then you start to prepare for what's going to be another busy week after," he said.

"We start off in Dallas. Dallas is always tough, especially this time of year. It's a special kind of tough with the weather.

"Then we come back for two more at home. We'll road map out how we want to approach next week and prepare the group."

After the setback of the LAFC defeat, a win over Minnesota at least lifted spirits ahead of this stretch.

Vanney continued: "It's nice doing that coming off a win. It feels a lot better as you go into this week and everybody can kind of relax and enjoy a couple of days, and then we get right back to work."

The Galaxy have also had time to get back on the training pitch before playing Dallas, with Vanney acknowledging he was focusing solely on the result against Minnesota given the quick turnaround.

"I think sometimes in the third games you put away some of the stuff that you normally are really, really picky on," he said.

"You've just got to suffer through it a little bit, and we did enough to get the three points [against Minnesota].

"We'll take it, and we'll talk about how we want to keep improving and get better and attack the next week, so just I'm glad we managed to get the three points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa missed out on Croatia's squad for Euro 2024, but while his international team-mates were exiting at the group stage, he has been tearing it up in MLS.

The forward has scored in four of his past five matches for six total goals across that span.

He is only the eighth Dallas player to score six or more goals across a run of five matches in MLS history.

LA Galaxy – Gabriel Pec

The Galaxy have their own in-form star in Pec, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Minnesota.

He is not just a goalscorer, however, adding seven assists to his nine MLS goals this season.

Indeed, Pec has either scored, assisted or provided a secondary assist in six straight games, the longest such streak from a Galaxy player since Javier Hernandez's eight across 2021 and 2022.

MATCH PREDICTION: DALLAS WIN

It is little wonder Vanney was not exactly relishing this trip, as Dallas have won seven in a row at home against the Galaxy. An eighth would make this the outright longest winning run for any team at home to the Galaxy in the MLS regular season.

And Dallas' home form is imperious right now, too. They have won six of their past eight at home.

The Galaxy are at least themselves in good shape, winning seven of nine for the first time in a single regular season since 2019, but only league leaders FC Cincinnati have won at Dallas since the start of April.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

FC Dallas – 38.8%

LA Galaxy – 34.7%

Draw – 26.5%

LA Galaxy maintained the pace at the top of MLS' Western Conference as Gabriel Pec's double earned a 2-1 win over Minnesota United.

Having opened the scoring in the 25th minute, Pec was on hand to tuck home the winner from close range in the 90th minute.

Teemu Pukki had come off the bench to restore parity for Minnesota, who looked set to snap a five-game losing streak.

But it was not to be for the Loons, as Pec's late show ensured the Galaxy returned to winning ways on the back of their defeat to Los Angeles FC in El Trafico.

The Galaxy are level on 43 points with LAFC and Real Salt Lake at the top of the West, while Minnesota are 10th.

Data Debrief: Loons' losing run rolls on

It is now six successive MLS defeats for Minnesota, which marks their worst-ever run in the competition since they joined the league in 2017.

Pec, meanwhile, continues to steal the show for the Galaxy. His two goals came from four shots, three of which he got on target, while the winger also completed six of his seven dribble attempts.

Greg Vanney hailed "tireless worker" Gabriel Pec after the Brazilian continued his excellent form with a goal against Real Salt Lake.

The Galaxy beat RSL 1-0 last time out to join them and their city rivals Los Angeles FC on 37 points at the summit of the Western Conference.

Pec netted his sixth MLS goal of the season in that victory, while the winger has also provided six assists.

And ahead of the Galaxy facing the San Jose Earthquakes, Vanney was full of praise for Pec.

“The guy is a tireless worker. He's a horse," he said, via The Galactic Tribune.

"It's like I think he's played 50 games in each of the last three seasons. So coming here and playing the games that we have and the busy schedule moments, for him, it's nothing.

“We know the quality he has. His ability on the right side to get in on his left foot, and he's had a couple finishes in the last few games on that. When he's on the left, he gets to the end line and he creates problems setting up goals which he did earlier in the week.

"He's finding his ways in this league and in this team, and we are finding ways to continue to get him on the ball in good positions."

Vanney also lauded the Galaxy's defence after they kept a second successive clean sheet.

“That's two in a row. That's not something we have done in probably a long time," he added.

"It's a big thing for our group, as well. If we defend well, we're going to be really, really difficult to beat."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Jose Earthquakes - Jeremy Ebobisse 

Ebobisse has scored 10 regular-season goals against the Galaxy, four more than against any other team in his career. Only four players in MLS history have netted more goals against the Galaxy in regular-season play.

LA Galaxy - Dejan Joveljic

Pec might be a huge danger, but the Galaxy's main threat in front of goal is Joveljic, who has scored 11 league goals this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy have won three straight matches for the first time since a four-match winning streak in August-September 2020. That run ended with a scoreless draw at San Jose.

The Earthquakes suffered their 14th loss in 19 matches this regular season with a 6-2 defeat to LAFC on Saturday.

The only team in the post-shoot-out era to lose 15 times in their first 20 matches of a season was the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2001 (16).

The Galaxy have won three straight matches against the Earthquakes in all competitions for the first time since August-September 2002. Neither team has recorded four straight outright wins (excluding breakaway shoot-outs) in the 100-match history of the series in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Jose Earthquakes - 29%

LA Galaxy - 46.5%

Draw - 24.5%

Real Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni says his team are aiming to be champions and are looking to continue their impressive form against LA Galaxy on Saturday.

RSL sit top of the Western Conference on 37 points, having lost just two matches so far this season while putting together an astounding 15-game unbeaten run in the league.

Mastroeni knows exactly where his side are in the table, and he has embraced the challenge that comes with being the leader.

"It's about connecting to the big picture - we want to be champs," said Mastroeni. "There's all these sayings in sport for a reason, the one I go by is offence will win you games, but defence will win you championships.

"It always goes back to what we want to achieve as a team. It's about fine-tuning some things and having a real understanding that we're now the hunted and need to get everyone's best game."

The Galaxy are one of those chasing Salt Lake down, sitting just three points below them in third, having lost just one of their last nine matches.

Having won their last two games, head coach Greg Vanney was particularly pleased with how his side defended in those two victories.

"When we're following through on our responsibilities and making the games as predictable as we possibly can, then it helps the group to deal with situations a lot easier and cleaner," Vanney said.

"We've done a nice job of that in the last two games, and it helps us to defend better. It gives the group a lot of confidence in understanding that if we stick to what we want to do, we can be a lot more efficient, especially in defence."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango has scored six goals in six career MLS matches against the Galaxy (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any opponent in MLS play (Austin, Dallas).

No player has scored more goals against the Galaxy since Arango joined MLS in August 2021.

LA Galaxy – Dejan Joveljic

Joveljic had both a goal and an assist in the Galaxy's win over New York City FC on Wednesday, his second straight game with one of each.

The only other Galaxy player to have three straight regular-season games with both a goal and an assist is Zlatan Ibrahimovic (September 2019).

MATCH PREDICTION: REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Salt Lake have lost only one of their last six regular-season matches against the Galaxy (W2 D3), though that defeat came in their last home league match against them in May 2023.

The Galaxy have won consecutive regular-season road games against RSL just once, doing so in 2012-13.

RSL are unbeaten in 15 straight regular-season matches (W9 D6), equaling the longest single-season streak since the Portland Timbers went 15 straight without defeat in 2018. There have only been three longer single-season streaks in MLS history, most recently a 16-match run by New York Red Bulls in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy have won four of their last five games (L1) with the last three of those wins coming by at least two goals. It is the first time the team have had three victories by multiple goals in a four-game span since doing so in September-October 2018.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 53.7%

Draw – 23.8%

LA Galaxy – 22.6%

Greg Vanney continues to battle without standout LA Galaxy midfielder Riqui Puig as his side prepare to host New York City FC on Wednesday in MLS.

The Los Angeles outfit are unbeaten throughout this season at their home Dignity Health Sports Park after overcoming Sporting Kansas City 4-2 on Saturday.

Vanney's men are yet to lose through eight games on their own turf, sitting third in the Western Conference and just three points behind leaders Real Salt Lake.

Yet the Galaxy remain without star man Puig, formerly of Barcelona, as Vanney continues to work around the Spaniard's absence.

"I think for me, we are positionally a little bit more stable," Vanney said, before lauding Puig.

"Our two pivots stayed in our pivots. [Against SKC] we were able to – we were more predictable even for each other in terms of our spots.

"When Riqui is on the field, he starts high, comes low, he defends high, he drops low. That sets a series of moments into play that are hard to defend, and Riqui has special qualities to be able to change the tempo of the game like nobody else in our league.

"If Riqui is here, if we can do both, stay inside the systems and use his qualities in the best way possible, and we have even another level [to go to]."

New York are fourth in the Eastern Conference after a 3-2 home defeat to Columbus Crew last time out – the visitors recording four straight wins on the road on Friday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LA Galaxy – Dejan Joveljic

Dejan Joveljic recorded his team-leading 10th goal of the season and an assist in the win over Kansas City.

Joveljic ranks tied for sixth in MLS for goals scored during the 2024 campaign and will be keen to add to that tally here.

New York City FC – Santiago Rodriguez

Santiago Rodriguez remains the leading light of the New York attack, netting his seventh goal of the campaign in the defeat to Columbus.

The Pigeons attacker has more MLS strikes than any team-mate this term, though Cushing will be desperate his goals can help New York to victory this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION – LA GALAXY WIN

The Galaxy are unbeaten in their first eight home matches of the season (W5 D3) for the first time since 2016 (15 straight) including winning the last three in a row at home. They have lost only one of their last 18 regular-season home matches dating back to last June (W9 D8).

NYCFC have won four of their six all-time meetings with the Galaxy, though LA won the last meeting, 1-0, in February 2022. This will be the seventh meeting between the sides and the fifth in Carson.

NYCFC have won their last three road matches after winning just one of their previous 23 on the road in all competitions dating back to the start of the 2023 season (D9 L13). This run equals their longest-ever road winning streak, having also won three in a row away from home in April-May 2019.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LA Galaxy – 41.7%

New York City FC – 31.7%

Draw – 26.7%