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%
Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen has urged his team to maintain their high level as they prepare to face Los Angeles FC for the second week running.
The Dynamo came out on top as 2-0 winners at BMO Stadium last weekend, bouncing back from their 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC.
They now sit seventh in the Western Conference as one of three teams on 40 points.
And Olsen says his team cannot let their guard down, despite already registering a vital win against LAFC.
"This is a league where you've got to move forward, and you've got to get better," Olsen said.
"We'll have to be at our best. Things happen quickly against LAFC. The focus you need to play against them is an incredibly high level.
"Alarm bells are always going off, and we coped with it well, but we'll have to be even better at it when we're back at home."
Meanwhile, LAFC are five points behind rivals LA Galaxy at the top of the table, but with three games in hand over them.
However, that home defeat was LAFC's second loss in three games (W1), having also been beaten by Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup final.
When asked if LAFC struggled against Houston due to their similarity to Columbus, Steve Cherundolo said he could not see it, but that his team needed to be stronger in dealing with the problems they faced.
"They're different and can hurt you in other ways," he said. "They are secure in possession and combination play, and they're good at it if you let them find a rhythm.
"It's imperative to deter teams from building and combining. We just want to field a team that is mentally and physically fresh."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Hector Herrera
Hector Herrera completed 118 passes in the Dynamo’s win over LAFC on Saturday.
Only Riqui Puig (134 on May 19 this year) has completed more in a single regular season match since the start of the 2021 season.
LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz
Mateusz Bogusz has equalled an LAFC club record by registering a goal contribution in six straight regular season away matches (Carlos Vela in 2018).
Bogusz has recorded three goals and three assists over the six matches.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
Despite the win probability favouring LAFC, they did lose to Houston last Saturday at the BMO Stadium (2-0). The teams are meeting in consecutive regular season matches for the second time in two years, also doing so in June 2023.
Houston's 2-0 win at LAFC on Saturday was their third straight regular-season victory over LAFC. Only San Jose Earthquakes (2020-21) have won four straight league meetings with the Black and Gold, though LAFC did defeat Houston in last season's Western Conference Final.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles have won five of their last six regular season away matches (D1) though the lone blemish came in Texas, a 1-1 draw at Austin on June 19. This is LAFC's best six-match span of away matches within a single regular season in club history.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 31.6%
Draw – 25.3%
LAFC – 43.2%
Houston Dynamo head coach Ben Olsen has urged his team to find their clinical edge in a tough test against Los Angeles FC on Saturday.
The Dynamo had lost just one of their last 10 MLS matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning four and drawing five of the other games in that streak.
However, they returned to league action with a 1-0 defeat to Toronto FC last time out and sit eighth in the Western Conference.
And Olsen has challenged his team to improve their end product against the Leagues Cup finalists.
"The last game was not the result we wanted, that's for sure," he said.
"I'm starting to sound like a broken record: we play well, we have a lot of chances. We can do all that stuff, but we don't make the play.
"If we're going to be the team we want to be, we need to be killers, be way more cut-throat in the final third. We can't keep expecting our defence to get shutouts in every game."
Meanwhile, LAFC bounced back from Leagues Cup final heartbreak by reaching the US Open Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Seattle Sounders.
In MLS, they are five points behind leaders LA Galaxy, having lost their last league match 3-1 to San Jose Earthquakes, but head coach Steve Cherundolo has confidence in his team.
"Our LAFC players are monsters," he said. "They show great heart and skill, and their physical side of the game is great.
"Simple mentality gives them the edge. I've also been happy with the control and managing of the minutes in recent matches."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LAFC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga has not been involved in a goal in any of his four meetings with the Dynamo (incl. playoffs).
They are the only MLS opponent he has faced more than twice and not recorded at least one goal involvement against.
Houston Dynamo – Hector Herrera
Hector Herrera completed 101 passes against Toronto FC on Saturday, his sixth match with at least 100 completed passes in regular season MLS play.
He is tied with Riqui Puig for the most such games to complete 100+ passes since making his MLS debut in July 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
This will be the first meeting between Los Angeles and Houston since LAFC's 2-0 win in last season's Western Conference Final. That win was their only clean sheet against the Dynamo (14 meetings).
However, LAFC's last two regular-season home matches were a loss to Columbus Crew and a draw with Real Salt Lake. They have gone three such matches without a win only twice since the start of the 2019 season but have not done so since 2021.
Meanwhile, the Dynamo won their final two regular-season road matches before the Leagues Cup break, winning at San Jose and Vancouver Whitecaps. However, they have not won three consecutive such games since a four-match run spanning the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LAFC – 61.8%
Draw – 20.2%
Houston Dynamo – 18%
Cucho Hernandez is proud to have helped Columbus Crew create history as they beat Los Angeles FC 3-1 to win the Leagues Cup for the first time.
Cucho opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time with a towering header past Hugo Lloris before Olivier Giroud netted his first goal for LAFC in the 57th minute.
When the game looked to be heading to penalties, Cucho stepped up again in stoppage time, curling a stunning effort in from the left wing before setting up Jacen Russell-Rowe for their third two minutes later.
Cucho, who scored four goals in the last three games on Columbus' run to the title, was delighted to play such a big role in their success.
"No words about that, no words. I'm so happy for making history here," Cucho said. "I'm so happy for my family, for the fans – and just enjoy.
"Our mentality is way better than other teams. This is not our first comeback. We also did it against Inter Miami."
It is the second title the Crew have won in the last two years, also beating LAFC to the MLS Cup last season.
Wilfried Nancy has led the team through both, and heaped praise on his star man's ability to dictate the game.
"He showed who he is in terms of: he can place the ball, he can shoot – but the rage that he has to score?" Nancy said.
"So after that, yeah, he provoked things for the other goals, but this is who he is.
"Behind the scenes, we try to help him and to give him tools to get more consistent and to get better, because he wants to be better. So, this is a reward for him, and I’m happy for him."
Los Angeles FC will do battle with the Columbus Crew in the Leagues Cup final in what will be a rematch of their 2023 MLS Cup encounter.
In that fixture, the Crew emerged victorious over LAFC, with both sides meeting at the Lower.com Field once again to decide who takes this year's crown.
LAFC cruised into the showpiece match with a commanding 4-0 triumph over the Colorado Rapids at the BMO Stadium.
Steve Cherundolo's side dominated proceedings in the first half and were rewarded before the interval with two quickfire goals from Mateusz Bogusz and Kei Kamara.
Bogusz rounded off a fine team move with a curled effort from outside the area, with Kamara finishing beyond Zack Steffen after being picked out by Ryan Hollingshead.
The victory was all but confirmed in some style as Denis Bouanga ran the length of the pitch, ending with a left-footed strike low into the bottom corner.
Lewis O'Brien added further gloss to an impressive display in the 75th minute, coming off the bench to mark his second appearance for the club with his first goal.
Earlier in the day, the Crew confirmed their place in Sunday's final following a 3-1 victory over Philadelphia Union.
The hosts took the lead in the 12th minute when Diego Rossi found himself in the right place at the right time to head home as he followed up Cucho Hernandez's shot from distance.
Daniel Gazdag levelled for the Union just after the half-hour mark, taking advantage of the Crew trying to play out of the back before finishing beyond Patrick Schulte.
But Rossi, who is the Leagues Cup's leading scorer, restored his side's advantage before the break after being picked out by an exquisite chip from Christian Ramirez.
Wilfried Nancy's side confirmed the victory eight minutes after the interval as Hernandez got his goal, seeing his initial headed effort saved, only to follow up the rebound.
The Seattle Sounders will be "flying" if they can beat Los Angeles FC on Saturday.
That was the message from coach Brian Schmetzer, who is relishing a huge occasion at Lumen Field, where the Sounders have been outstanding.
Seattle are on a five-game winning run in MLS, with four of those matches coming at home. They have lost in Seattle only once this year, back in April.
After a slow start, there are now only five teams above them in the Western Conference, but one of those are LAFC.
It was a defeat in Los Angeles that set in motion the Sounders' five-game winless run to start the campaign, while their 2023 season ended with a defeat to LAFC at Lumen Field.
Seattle should not be short of motivation then, and Schmetzer is now shying away from the significance of this game.
"Saturday is such a big game against LAFC," Schmetzer said. "Everyone needs to come out and show up.
"This is a massive game for us. We've only lost twice in 18 games. That's pretty darn good if you ask me.
"We come out with a result on Saturday, and we're flying."
A win would close the gap between sixth-placed Seattle and second-placed LAFC to just four points, with this weekend's visitors wobbling in recent weeks against elite opposition.
The performance in the midweek draw with Real Salt Lake was merely "a little better" than in the prior humbling 5-1 defeat to the Columbus Crew, according to coach Steve Cherundolo.
"No, I was not happy with the performance [against RSL]," he said.
LAFC had won nine of their previous 10 ahead of the Columbus game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak
Rusnak assisted Jon Bell's first Seattle goal in the midweek win over St Louis City, continuing his fine form. That was his sixth consecutive home match in which he had registered a goal contribution.
Obafemi Martins is the only Sounders player with a longer such streak in a single regular season, with a seven-game run in 2014.
Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz
Olivier Giroud officially became an LAFC player this week, but Bogusz has contributed handily while the team have waited for the World Cup winner to arrive.
Bogusz has contributed to goals in each of his past five away matches, the longest active streak in MLS. Only Carlos Vela has had goal contributions in more consecutive road games in the regular season for LAFC (six matches in 2018).
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
Across MLS and the US Open Cup, the Sounders have won six games in a row, their longest winning run since a streak of the same length ended in MLS Cup glory in 2019.
But LAFC are the Sounders' bogey side right now. They have won three in a row against Seattle and are unbeaten in seven in this fixture.
The Rave Green have not beaten LAFC since May 2021, and Saturday's visitors will hope to provide another reality check.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Seattle Sounders – 32.1%
Los Angeles FC – 42.5%
Draw – 25.4%
Los Angeles FC remain in the hunt for the MLS Supporters' Shield despite being held to a 1-1 draw with fellow contenders Real Salt Lake at the BMO Stadium.
Cristian Olivera opened the scoring early on, only for Brayan Vera's free-kick to level the scores in a game full of missed opportunities for the visitors.
After falling to a 5-1 defeat to Columbus Crew last time out, an instant response was required by Steve Cherundolo's side, and they did just that in the fifth minute.
Having returned from Uruguay's third-place finish at the Copa America, Olivera pounced on a mistake by Salt Lake keeper Zac MacMath to net his fifth goal of the season.
MacMath almost presented the hosts with another opportunity to increase their lead as he gave the ball away to Mateusz Bogusz just inside his own half, but, the Pole's speculative effort was tipped over by the Salt Lake captain.
Having withstood the early pressure from LAFC, Vera would draw his side level in the 33rd minute as he took aim from distance, with the outstretched foot of Ilie Sanchez deflecting the ball beyond Hugo Lloris.
Diego Luna went close to giving the visitors early in the second half as Eduard Atuesta's free-kick stung the palms of MacMath.
Pablo Mastroeni's side registered 19 shots in the contest, 10 of which came inside LAFC's penalty area, with only two of those on target.
LAFC face the Seattle Sounders this weekend while Real Salt Lake travel to Colorado Rapids ahead of the Leagues Cup break.
The Columbus Crew ended Los Angeles FC's unbeaten run at the BMO Stadium with a 5-1 victory in a game that saw three red cards in a frenetic ending to proceedings.
Sergi Palencia was the first player sent off for the hosts, with LAFC's Jesus Murillo and the Crew's Marino Hinestroza also given their marching orders for an altercation just before the final whistle.
Christian Ramirez opened the scoring in the first half, with Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi increasing the visitors' advantage to three by the hour mark.
Palencia was shown his second yellow card for a pull on substitute Alexandru Matan, with Ramirez notching his second of the game from the resulting free-kick.
Nathan Ordaz clawed one back for LAFC, but Matan would round off the scoring at the BMO Stadium as he curled an effort beyond Hugo Lloris.
But following a tackle from Eddie Segura on Hinestroza, a push from Murillo on the Crew attacker resulted in a scuffle, with referee Lukasz Szpala showing two red cards.
"A very poor performance from us tonight, really in all categories, is the only way I would describe it," LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said.
"Columbus were better in every moment of the game tonight and hats off to them, they played a fantastic game and deserved to win.
"But for us, it is obviously super disappointing for our fans and we don't want to ever present ourselves like that again at home."
LAFC remain top of the Western Conference despite their defeat, but will be without Palencia and Murillo for their top-of-the-table clash with Real Salt Lake next week.
Steve Cherundolo detailed that his “healthy group” of LAFC players have been key to their recent success ahead of their encounter with Houston Dynamo on Sunday.
The LAFC head coach oversaw yet another win last time out, beating LA Galaxy in their rivalry encounter thanks to goals from Denis Bouanga and Kei Kamara.
Heading into the contest at the Shell Energy Stadium, LAFC sit at the top of the Western Conference table, three points ahead of Real Salt Lake.
Cherundolo’s side are now unbeaten in their last 10 MLS fixtures, and the 45-year-old was able to detail the secret formula behind his team’s impressive run.
“I think it’s down to the basics,” Cherundolo said. “It’s always reminding the group what they do well and what we need to do in order to win games.
“These are things we talk about and work on daily, but at the same time you have to create an atmosphere and a culture that is comfortable for the players and put them in a position to succeed week in, week out.
“Not to push too hard, but not too little, and you have to find that sweet spot with the group.
“Judging by what I see in the locker room before the game, at half-time and after the game, this is a very healthy group, mentally, and they take care of each other. It’s a tough group to beat.”
Meanwhile, Houston were compounded to their first defeat in six matches at the hands of Salt Lake, despite taking an eighth minute lead through Ibrahim Aliyu.
Ben Olsen’s side sit in seventh place heading into the encounter, level on points with Portland Timbers and just a point behind Vancouver Whitecaps.
The loss proved to be a disappointing one from the Houston head coach’s point of view, but he was able to take the positives from the game, having seen his side score 13 goals in their last six league fixtures.
“I don’t think we learned anything that I already know about our team,” Olsen said.
“I was disappointed with our mentality and the start with the attention to detail, the urgency.
“But we scored two goals. We should have had three or four, but it came down to some moments.
“The goal-scoring, we can still put up numbers and I guess that is a positive. But the negative is the goals themselves that we conceded as a team.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston Dynamo – Ibrahim Aliyu
Should the Dynamo put an end to their winless run, Ibrahim Aliyu will be key for Olsen’s side on home turf.
Aliyu netted back-to-back goals for the second time this season, taking his tally to six for the campaign, and is the joint-top scorer alongside Latif Blessing for Houston.
LAFC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga’s recent hotstreak in front of goal has contributed to LAFC’s success in the league, and the Gabon international will be keen to add to his 14 MLS goals this weekend.
Bouanga has formed a great understanding alongside Mateusz Bogusz with the pair both notching goal contributions in their win over LA Galaxy. Their goal and assist were a league-leading 10th time they have both contributed to a goal in the same match this season.
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
While LAFC slightly edged Opta’s data-led simulations, Houston boast an impressive record against their opponents when welcoming them to the Shell Energy Stadium.
The Dynamo have lost only one of their six home matches against Los Angeles FC (W2 D3), winning each of the last two on home soil after failing to win any of the first four in all competitions.
However, Olsen’s side have just one victory to their name in their last 14 league matches, (D5 L5) dating back to mid-April after winning four of their previous five games (L1).
The Black and Gold are the in-form team in the Western Conference and will be keen to extend their lead at the summit of the table. LAFC became the first team since Sporting Kansas City in 2011-12 season to win 11 times in a span of 12 matches in all competitions.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Houston Dynamo – 34.9%
Draw- 25.9%
LAFC – 39.2%
Steve Cherundolo says Los Angeles FC will force the issue when they take on the Colorado Rapids in a huge clash of Western Conference contenders on Saturday.
LAFC lead the way in the West with 37 points, though Real Salt Lake and the LA Galaxy are only behind them due to winning one game fewer.
LAFC's fine run of form continued with a 6-2 rout of the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend, with Mateusz Bogusz scoring twice as they raced into a 5-0 lead within just 48 minutes.
Cherundolo expects a different level of test from the Rapids, who are just six points off the summit after an encouraging start to Chris Armas' tenure.
"They're a difficult team to beat, they're playing very well, they're disciplined, compact and also very vertical," Cherundolo said of Colorado.
"Chris has done a great job, and you can see it's a well-coached team. They found a way to be successful and they're sticking to it.
"We believe that every system has its own abilities, it's just a matter of how well we can impose ours on them."
Colorado have won their last three matches after enduring a mini slump, but like his opposite number, Armas is wary of the challenge his team will face on Saturday.
"It's another busy stretch coming up so in many ways it's right back to basics and we'll just try to get better," Armas said.
"We're always looking at every game as a test of how we can improve. We know they're a good team, they're playing really well, but we're looking forward to it.
"They just scored six but they're also one of the better defensive teams. You can see how explosive that offense is and we'll have to be at our best to get anything."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Los Angeles FC – Mateusz Bogusz
Bogusz has a goal contribution in eight straight MLS matches, with only Luciano Acosta having a longer such streak this season (nine).
That is the second-longest such streak in regular-season play by an LAFC player, behind only Carlos Vela (11 straight spanning 2019 and 2020).
Colorado Rapids – Djordje Mihailovic
Mihailovic has six goal contributions in his last two games, with three goals Wednesday against St. Louis City and a goal and two assists against CF Montreal last Saturday.
His six goal contributions are the most ever over a span of two MLS games by a Rapids player.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
The home team has lost only one of the 11 all-time meetings between LAFC and Colorado (nine wins, one draw).
LAFC have won all five of their previous home matches against the Rapids by a combined score of 14-1. While the Rapids will certainly put up a fight this week, the hosts enter as favourites.
Cherundolo's team are unbeaten in their last eight league games, winning seven and drawing the other at Austin FC. At home, they have won five in a row.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Los Angeles FC – 62.2%
Colorado Rapids – 17.8%
Draw – 20%
Los Angeles FC moved to the Western Conference summit with a 6-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes.at BMO Stadium.
Mateusz Bogusz struck twice, while Denis Bouanga, Kei Kamara, Ryan Hollingshead and Tomas Angel were also on target as LAFC returned to winning ways in MLS.
Steve Cherundolo's side saw their eight-match winning streak end at Austin in midweek, but they took the lead through Bogusz after a quarter of an hour.
Bouanga doubled the lead with his 13th goal of the season, while Kamara headed in a Bogusz cross before Hollingshead's deflected strike made it 4-0 before half-time.
Rodrigues replied for bottom side San Jose in first-half stoppage time, before Benjamin Kikanovic reduced the arrears in the 57th minute.
However, LAFC had the final word with Angel striking three minutes from time to send them top of the Western Conference - ahead of Real Salt Lake and LA Galaxy by virtue of winning one more game.
Data Debrief: Kamara passes Donovan
Kamara's header gave him his 146th regular-season goal in MLS, moving him past Landon Donovan and into second place on the all-time list.
The 39-year-old is now 25 goals behind Chris Wondolowski's record, while LAFC extended their franchise-record unbeaten streak to 10 matches.
Oscar Pareja believes it is important for Orlando City to rediscover their self-confidence ahead of Saturday's clash with in-form Los Angeles FC at Inter&Co Stadium.
The international break means Orlando have been out of action since a 1-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls on June 2, their third straight game without a victory.
While they sit a lowly 11th in the Eastern Conference standings with 17 points, LAFC are second in the West with 30 points after winning five in a row in MLS play.
Asked about the value of having time off to reflect on their poor run, Pareja said: "It's important, because with the work we do, the intensity of how we do things is important.
"We are optimistic after having a refresh when we needed it."
On the challenge of facing LAFC, the Orlando coach added: "Many teams have challenges with players being away. We are professionals, we expect a team that is playing well.
"But at the same time, it's a great opportunity for us to play well and raise our confidence, to get the points we need right now."
In all competitions, LAFC have won their last six matches without conceding, becoming the first team from MLS to ever accomplish that feat.
Head coach Steve Cherundolo believes that achievement is the result of a team effort, saying: "I think the team is playing a mature, professional, complete 90 minutes.
"Some teams have better defensive solutions against us so we don't have quite as many chances, but in every game we are creating chances and we are not giving up many chances.
"Our collective defending is very good. You're seeing it all come together."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Orlando City – Nicolas Lodeiro
Lodeiro has been involved in nine goals in MLS play against Los Angeles (five goals, four assists, including playoffs).
Only Cristian Espinoza (15) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11) have been involved in more versus them.
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Bouanga scored LAFC's goal in their 1-0 win over FC Dallas last time out on June 1.
The goal was Bouanga's 48th in all competitions since the start of last season, 16 more than any other MLS player in that time.
MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN
LAFC are unbeaten in four all-time meetings with Orlando (two wins, two draws), though the Lions did eliminate them on penalties from the quarter-finals of MLS is Back in 2020.
Orlando are winless in their last five home matches, drawing two and losing three while failing to net in each of their last three – they had only previously gone three home matches without netting in their second, third and fourth home MLS games back in 2015.
LAFC, meanwhile, have won seven successive matches in all competitions, the last six of them to nil. They will fancy their chances of victory, even without home advantage.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Orlando City – 37.7%
Los Angeles FC – 35.9%
Draw – 26.4%
Defender Aaron Long has praised Los Angeles FC's recent defensive strength as they prepare to welcome Minnesota United to BMO Stadium on Wednesday.
LAFC have won their last four in all competitions without conceding a goal, with Saturday's 1-0 victory over Atlanta United their 100th MLS regular-season win.
They currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with 24 points and can leapfrog opponents Minnesota United if they continue their winning streak.
"We touched on it a little bit earlier in the year when I was asked about giving up a lot of goals in a lot of weird ways," said Long.
"We pride ourselves on being a good defensive team with a good structure and getting 11 guys behind the ball and working hard.
"More than anything, I think we have strikers, forwards and midfielders who can score a lot of goals. If we can hold zeros, we can win a lot of games. We held four zeros in a row, four wins, so let's try and keep the ball rolling."
When asked about reaching the milestone of their 100th win last Saturday, Long added: "To be the fastest to 100 or tied as the fastest to 100, is a huge, monumental step. I think it's something that the club should be proud of."
Meanwhile, Minnesota are second in the table, just four points behind leaders Real Salt Lake City after a 3-3 draw with Colorado Rapids last weekend.
They have not lost any of their last seven matches, and forward, Tani Oluwaseyi is looking forward to facing off against a tough opponent.
He said: "You always want to face the great teams and LAFC is a marquee team with a lot of really good players, really big players. Hopefully, we can put a great game plan together to go into that game."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz
Bogusz scored LAFC's lone goal in their win in Atlanta on Saturday. Only four players have scored Los Angeles FC's 15 goals since the beginning of April (excluding own goals): Denis Bouanga (six), Mateusz Bogusz (four), Cristian Olivera (three) and Timothy Tillman (two).
Minnesota – Tani Oluwaseyi
Oluwaseyi scored the second of Minnesota’s three goals on Saturday at Colorado, scoring for the third-straight MLS road game. Oluwaseyi is the second Minnesota player to score in three straight regular-season away matches after Franco Fragapane did so in June-July 2022.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC WIN
LAFC have won five straight matches in all competitions, keeping clean sheets in the last four. This equals their second-longest all-competition winning streak (seven straight in 2022) while it's the second time LAFC have kept clean sheets in four straight matches (April 2023).
Meanwhile, Minnesota are unbeaten in six straight matches following a 3-3 draw at Colorado on Saturday (W4 D2). The Loons have scored multiple goals in all six games during that run.
Indeed, Minnesota ended a seven-match winless run against LAFC with a 2-0 home victory on March 16. Each team has won three times against the other with five of the 11 meetings ending in draws.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
LAFC – 51.5%
Draw – 25.3%
Minnesota – 23.2%
Gonzalo Pineda insists Atlanta United "are on the right path" as they look to get back to winning ways in MLS.
The Five Stripes are 12th in the Eastern Conference following a run of eight matches without victory.
Although, they enjoyed a reprieve in the U.S. Open Cup last time out, defeating Charleston Battery on penalties to reach the quarter-finals.
And Pineda hopes his side can build on that momentum when they welcome Los Angeles to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
"I think we are on the right path," he said. "I think it is really encouraging for the team, for the mentality of the team, to win.
"There are many positives out of that. We have to hold onto that positivity, and the mentality of the players that fought and put that together on Saturday."
"I think that, especially being at home, we need to make sure we are on the front foot right away," midfielder Dax McCarty added.
"Obviously, our stadium is such a fortress. When you score an early goal, you get everyone excited and the other team feels that pressure, which is such a benefit."
By contrast, LAFC are fifth in the West and on a four-match winning streak across all competitions – during which they have scored 11 goals and conceded just once.
"The team is in a good way – winning games, scoring goals and not conceding – and we'd like to continue that," head coach Steve Cherundolo said.
"We feel good about the moment we're in, and our players are confident.
"The players have shown an amazing response [to their defeat by San Jose Earthquakes at the start of the month]. We were shooting ourselves in the foot by making some mistakes in portions of the field where we don't usually do that.
"The message was that we are really in control of our own destiny, which is a great place to be."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Atlanta United – Thiago Almada
Atlanta will be hoping for inspiration from the likes of Almada as they look to end their winless streak.
The Argentina international has scored in two of their last three league games on home soil.
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Bouanga scored both goals in LAFC’s 2-0 win over St. Louis City last time out in MLS.
He has now found the net 33 times since the start of last season (including play-offs), seven more than any other player during that time.
MATCH PREDICTION: LOS ANGELES FC
Only once in their MLS history have Atlanta endured a longer winless streak, going 12 straight games without victory between May and August 2021.
Meanwhile, LAFC have won successive games to nil for the first time during the regular season since August 2022.
That came after they recorded just one victory while keeping a clean sheet in their previous 21 such matches.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Atlanta United: 38.2%
Los Angeles FC: 32.8%
Draw: 29.0%
Los Angeles FC coach Steve Cherundolo expects the struggling San Jose Earthquakes to play with "nothing to lose" when the sides face off at Levi's Stadium on Saturday.
The Earthquakes have the worst record in MLS this year, taking just four points from their first 10 games to sit bottom of the Western Conference.
The New England Revolution also have four points at the foot of the East, but they have played one match fewer.
Los Angeles, by contrast, sit fifth in the West after sealing a last-gasp 3-2 win over the Portland Timbers last time out, and Cherundolo believes his team enter Saturday's game in a good spot.
"They're a very dangerous team, especially in the situation they're in," Cherundolo said of San Jose.
"I expect to see a team who play with nothing to lose, they'll be aggressive, invest a lot into it and definitely want to win their home game.
"That'll make it difficult for us, but we're also in a decent moment and have the tools to be dangerous as well."
Saturday's game will be played at Levi's Stadium – home to the NFL's San Francisco 49ers – as part of the 'Quakes' 50th-anniversary celebrations, and coach Luchi Gonzalez is looking forward seeing his team in action at the 68,500-capacity venue.
"It's going to be beautiful to us no matter what," Gonzalez said.
"The players love this field, they love the stadium, they love this locker room and they love the environment that we know we're going to have on Saturday.
"We want to show respect to it, we want to honour it with our heart, with our intensity and energy to perform and bring our best on Saturday."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Jose Earthquakes – Jeremy Ebobisse
Ebobisse has scored six goals against LAFC in regular-season play. The only opponent he has scored more against is the LA Galaxy (10 goals).
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Bouanga has scored a result-changing goal in stoppage time in consecutive matches, netting a 95th-minute equaliser against the New York Red Bulls on April 20 then scoring the winning goal one minute into added time against Portland last week.
Could last season's Golden Boot winner be set for another decisive contribution?
MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW
Los Angeles' 3-2 win over Portland last week took them to 14 points from six matches on their own turf this year (four wins, two draws), a league-high tally.
However, they have only taken one point on the road, recording one draw and three defeats. Only the New England Revolution, with zero, have earned fewer points away from home.
Given LAFC's Jekyll and Hyde performances, it's difficult to back them for an away win. However, San Jose are just the seventh team in MLS history to accumulate four points or fewer through 10 games of a season, so it may not be a surprise to see the points shared in a cagey draw.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
San Jose Earthquakes – 34.1%
Los Angeles FC – 37.8%
Draw 28.1%
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