LA Galaxy host Minnesota United on Wednesday in a game that could prove crucial to their playoff hopes in the MLS Western Conference.
Rodrigo SerranoRodASerranoWilliam GittinsWillGittUpdate: Sep 19th, 2023 10:08 EDT
Kiyoshi MioUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
LA Galaxy have no margin for error in their remaining seven matches if they are going to secure a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The league’s most successful team, with five MLS Cup triumphs to their name, and down in 13th in the West and are six points adrift of the final Wild Card spot.
After a poor start to the 2023 season Greg Vanney’s team looked to have turned a corner over the summer, inspired by the performances of interim captain Riqui Puig. However that momentum has slowed in recent weeks and the Galaxy are now without a win in their last three games.
Speaking to AS USA, Galaxy midfielder Diego Fagúndez insisted that the team is remaining confident ahead of the all-important final stretch.
“We have to move forward, improve, train and try to get the maximum amount of points possible in the next games,” Fagúndez said. “Everyone in the locker room knows what we can do and what we can achieve. That is important.”
“Ultimately, we are the ones who decide how far we want to go,” the Uruguayan added.
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LA Galaxy could only manage a 2-2 draw against ten-man St. Louis City in a recent fixture.Kiyoshi MioUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Can LA Galaxy make it to the playoffs?
The Galaxy were, by some distance, the most successful team for the first two decades of MLS. They racked up nine Western Conference titles, five MLS Cup victories and 17 playoff appearances out of a possible 20.
However the team’s fortunes have changed in recent years and LA Galaxy are now facing the prospect of a third season out of four without making the playoffs. They have struggled for consistency and looked defensively vulnerable in last weekend’s defeat to rivals LAFC.
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— LAFC (@LAFC) September 17, 2023
Vanney’s has not been helped by long-term injuries to key players like Gastón Brugman, Martín Cáceres and club captain Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández. Nevertheless, making it to the post-season will be the minimum expected from the team this year.
What is LA Galaxy’s next match?
Next up for LA Galaxy is a must-win home game against Minnesota United, who currently sit eighth in the West. Victory at Dignity Health Sports Park would help them close the gap to a key playoff rival, but defeat could all-but end their hopes of qualification.
