The last MLS game of the night has the biggest playoff implications of the weekend. LA Galaxy play host to Real Salt Lake (RSL) in a very tight playoff battle for the West. LA currently sits in the five spot with 46 points. They are tied with Portland in the six spot and are one point ahead of Minnisota in the seventh/final playoff spot. RSL is currently in eighth with 43 points and are on the outside looking in. RSL desperately needs a win on the road tonight. Always a tough ask.
LA has momentum on their side. In the last five games, LA are 2-2-1. Scoring 10 goals and conceding 9. RSL over their last five matches are 1-1-3. Scoring only 4 goals and conceding 7. RSL has struggled on the road lately winning only one in their last five road games and losing their previous two outright. LA has not had an outright loss at home in their last 5 matches. They have three wins and two draws. Form advantage is definitely with LA.
RSL are no strangers to being in this position. They actually eliminated the LA Galaxy from the playoffs last year in their final match, securing the 7th playoff spot. RSL went on a tear after squeaking into the playoffs knocking out last year’s #1 seed The Colorado Rapids. Can RSL find that magic again?
LA’s star player, Chicharito, has been playing like a man on fire. He has 3 goals in his last two matches and 17 on the season. Chicharito is going to have to strap the backpack on again tonight if LA wants to come out of this game with points. A draw doesn't kill LA here, but securing three points and keeping RSL from closing on Minnesota is definitely their preferred outcome. Both teams will leave everything on the field for a full 90 minutes tonight. No need to worry about LA parking the bus and hoping to hold on to a draw. All three points are a must have in this playoff race and there’s the revenge factor hanging from last year.
No matter the result, we are in for an awesome night of playoff football under the stadium lights in LA. GET HYPED! LET’S GO!!!
