LA Galaxy vs Charlotte FC Predictions
A horrendous season is showing no signs of improvement for LA Galaxy this year. The five-time MLS champions are struggling at the bottom of the Western Conference, seven points off the final playoff qualification spot and 16 points behind rivals and league-leaders Los Angeles FC. In the last five games, LA Galaxy have lost four and won one. The club lost to Orlando City before going down against Colorado Rapids. They bounced back with a narrow win over San Jose Earthquakes but then faced two back-to-back defeats in the last two games against Columbus Crew and DC United.
Meanwhile, Charlotte FC are aiming for playoff qualification in only their second season in the MLS. Last season, the club came close to qualifying but finished six points off the final qualifying spot. Winning momentum was disrupted last weekend when Nashville SC ended their four-game winning streak across all competitions. Charlotte FC had beaten New York City FC, Atlanta United, and Chicago Fire FC. They also eliminated Orlando City from the US Open Cup during this run. However, conceding a late winner ended their splendid run before a vital game against a mercurial MLS side in LA Galaxy.
The odds are stacked strongly against Charlotte FC in this game, despite being in a better position than LA Galaxy. This is not only because of the home advantage LA Galaxy have. It is because of several aspects, including injuries, momentum, and mentality. Considering all that, it is safe to believe that LA Galaxy can emerge with all three points from this fixture.
Previous Meetings
These two clubs have only met once in the MLS. Last season was Charlotte FC’s debut in the league. LA Galaxy were a completely different team back then and were in a much better and commanding position when they visited Charlotte FC.
The hosts played well in the first three-quarters of the match and were able to keep the opposition attack at bay for 77 minutes. The deadlock was broken by Efrain Alvarez, who was set up by Raheem Edwards.
LA Galaxy were the dominant side and attempted 21 shots whilst restricting the hosts to just five. The Charlotte FC defenders blocked eight shots, and the keeper pulled off a few saves, with one shot coming off the woodwork. But eventually, they ended up conceding the decisive goal.
La Galaxy Desperate to Dodge Third Loss on the Trot
After winning just two games out of 13, this season could turn out to be the worst-ever for LA Galaxy if they do not bounce back. Chances of that happening are quite slim as the hosts are coming into this match after two back-to-back losses.
Columbus Crew took all three points off the five-time MLS before DC United nabbed a convincing victory. In these two games, LA Galaxy conceded five goals in total and scored none in the process.
The last two home games have reaped positive results for LA Galaxy. The hosts advanced to the US Open Cup Round of 16 before scraping past San Jose Earthquakes in their previous MLS home game. The club will be looking for something similar this weekend.
One Eye on the El Trafico
Before facing Charlotte FC on the weekend, LA Galaxy will be in action against their arch-rivals and defending MLS Champions Los Angeles FC in the Round of 16 of the US Open Cup this week. This will be the second El Trafico of the season.
The season’s first Los Angeles Derby took place in April when Los Angeles FC snatched all three points with a dramatic 3-2 win over their rivals in their own backyard. The stakes could be lower considering the tournament, but LA Galaxy will not take things lightly in a derby.
Striker Has Gone From Prolific to Horrific in Front of Goal
LA Galaxy’s top scorer last season, Javier Hernandez, missed the opening five games of the season because of a hamstring injury. The five-time MLS champions failed to win any of those games without a clinical striker upfront.
After recovering, the return of the Mexican striker came as a glimmer of hope for fans, but things are still not going according to plan. Since his return from injury, Hernandez has only scored one in eight appearances. He has failed to score in the last five MLS games.
Charlotte FC Suffered a Late Heartbreak Last Weekend
The winning streak of Charlotte FC across all competitions could have been extended to five games last weekend, but Nashville SC had other plans for them. The game was tied at 1-1 when the clock struck 90, but a stoppage-time penalty by Hany Mukhtar turned the game on its head.
Before that disappointing loss, Charlotte FC beat New York City FC, Atlanta United, and Chicago Fire FC. They failed to keep clean sheets in any of those games, but the three points helped them stay close to the playoff qualification spots.
The club has also reached the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup. Charlotte FC achieved that feat after beating Orlando City in the previous round. Now they will be hoping to regain lost momentum with a positive result against LA Galaxy.
A Tricky Schedule Awaits the Newcomers
Last season, Charlotte FC got their first taste of MLS football. They failed to secure playoff qualification, but the positive there was that they did not finish at or near the bottom of the table. This season, the club will certainly aim for playoff qualification.
Winning games will be crucial, especially when a tough schedule pops up. One such schedule commences this week for Charlotte FC as they play four consecutive away games – against Birmingham Legion FC in the US Open Cup before facing LA Galaxy, Philadelphia Union, and Columbus Crew on enemy territory.
Key Players Missing Ahead of a Vital Game
There have been quite a few standout performers for Charlotte FC this season. Unfortunately, a few of them will miss the match against LA Galaxy due to their respective injuries. Midfielder Ben Bender will be one of those players.
The side will also be without start keeper George Marks, who is ranked number one in the saves-per-match charts of the MLS. Winger Kamil Jozwiak, who has scored two and assisted three in nine appearances, will also be out due to a thigh injury
/fit-in/222x222/betmgm-at-2x-1.png)
/filters:no_upscale()/fit-in/1200x585/1685009294/la-galaxy-vs-charlotte-fc-2023-05-27.jpg "La galaxy vs charlotte fc 2023 05 27")
/fit-in/222x222/frame-1-1.png)
/betmgm-at-2x-1.png )
/1716812021/nikhil-kalro.jpg "Nikhil Kalro")
/dmca.png "Dmca"){kind=small}
/1670944202/21.png "21"){kind=small}
/1670944628/2022-igb-best-casino-affiliate-gig-media-e1651053747946.png "2022 igb best casino affiliate gig media e1651053747946"){kind=small}
/1670944701/gig-media-power-affiliates-rank-123x40-1.png "Gig media power affiliates rank 123x40 1"){kind=icon}
/1670944773/800-gambler-black-144x40.jpg "800 gambler black 144x40"){kind=small}
/1718715753/gpwa.webp "Gpwa"){kind=small}
