It’s coming down to the wire in the 2018 MLS regular season, and the Galaxy are still mathematically able to secure a playoff spot. They head to Sporting Kansas City, which is in second place in the Western Conference, in hopes of keeping those playoff dreams alive. Here’s what you need to know heading into the match:
- The Galaxy have a 12-11-8 overall record this season, with a 4-7-4 record on the road. They are seventh in the Western Conference, just two points out of the playoff picture behind No. 6 Real Salt Lake.
- Sporting Kansas City has 52 points and a 15-8-7 record overall. SKC is on the brink of punching its ticket to the playoffs, and this match against the Galaxy could seal the deal.
- In their last matchup April 8, SKC defeated the Galaxy 2-0 in Carson, Calif., with goals from Daniel Salloi and Johnny Russell. All-time against Kansas City, the Galaxy are 24-23-14 and 8-16-7 on the road.
- Three Galaxy players are on yellow card accumulation watch: defenders Michael Ciani and Jørgen Skjelvik and forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
- Both Chris Pontius and Giovani Dos Santos did not travel with the club due to injury concerns.
- The officials for this match are center official Jair Marrufo, assistant referees Jose Da Silva and Adam Garner, fourth official Sorin Stoica and video assistant referee Caleb Mendez.
- LA is on a two-game winning streak after back-to-back 3-0 victories at home. The first, against the Seattle Sounders Sept. 23, had goals from Ibrahimovic, Kamara and Boateng. The second, against the Vancouver Whitecaps Sept. 30, featured two goals from Ibrahimovic and one from Alessandrini.
- The Galaxy’s current streak is only the third time this season the Galaxy have strung together two or more wins in a row. Their longest streak was a three wins spanning from July 7 to 21.