The LA Galaxy will host the Seattle Sounders in what is essentially a must-win match Sunday afternoon at 7 p.m. ET at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. Here is what you need to know before kickoff:
- The Galaxy are in the midst of a seven-match winless streak, with their last win coming July 29th against Orlando City. The last time the Galaxy faced the Sounders was in their 5-0 defeat in Seattle on Aug. 18. It is important to note the Galaxy were without all three designated players — Romain Alessandrini, Giovani Dos Santos and Jonathan Dos Santos — as well as forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic for that match.
- The Sounders’ last match was a 1-0 loss to the Philadelphia Union at home Wednesday night, giving them a bitter end to their nine-match win streak and 12-match undefeated streak. In that match, both forward Raul Ruidiaz and defender Chad Marshall left the match due to injury.
- As far as Galaxy injury concerns go, Giovani Dos Santos, Chris Pontius and Bradford Jamieson IV did not practice outside with the team this week. Head coach Dominic Kinnear said Friday after training that they all likely will be unavailable Sunday.
- Defense continues to be a concern for the Galaxy. They allowed five goals in their last match and 19 goals in their last five matches. They are third worst overall in the league for goals allowed at 59 and tied for eighth worst in goal differential with -5.
- While the club would not be mathematically eliminated with a loss to Seattle, its playoff chances would be even lower than the 10 percent they have heading into the match. All five of the Galaxy’s remaining matches are against Western Conference opponents — vs. Seattle, vs. Vancouver, at Sporting KC, at Minnesota and vs. Houston — giving the Galaxy a chance to make a big impact in “six-point” games.