Just two points separate second-place Sporting Kansas City and third-place LA Galaxy as the two sides prepare to do battle in California on Sunday.
With Seattle two points clear at the top of the Western Conference, it is worth noting that LA Galaxy have one game in hand over the Sounders and two games in hand over SKC.
The Galaxy head into Sunday’s clash on a two-match winning streak, having beaten Vancouver and most recently San Jose.
In fact, Greg Vanney’s men have won seven of their ten Major League Soccer games this year, recording three losses along the way.
Interestingly, the Galaxy are the only team in the entire league that have yet to register a draw this season.
Having netted 17 goals, Vanney’s side are the third-highest scorers in the West. However, only three teams have a poorer defensive record than the Galaxy.
After scoring three goals in his last two appearances, former Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez now has bagged ten goal and two assists in ten MLS outing this term.
As for Sporting KC, they head into Sunday’s encounter with a record of 7-2-3, although they have played three games more than some teams in the West.
Like the Galaxy, SKC have also conceded 15 goals. But with 22 goals to their name, the Wizards are the top scorers in the conference.
Peter Vermes’ men come into Sunday’s clash having secured back-to-back wins over Colorado and Los Angeles FC.
After losing two of their opening five matches this season, Sporting KC have since lost just one of their previous seven outings (five wins, one draw).
Not only have there been over 2.5 goals in each of SKC’s last three games, but they have also seen both teams scored in each of their previous six.
Head-to-head: Believe it not, the Galaxy thrashed Sporting KC 7-2 the last time the two sides met back in 2019.
The Galaxy haven’t lost any of their previous three meetings with the Wizards, picking up two wins and one draw in that time.
Team news: The Galaxy will be without Derrick Williams this weekend as the centre-back serves a red card suspension.
Sporting Kansas City have no fresh injury concerns heading into Sunday’s game, meaning Vermes is likely to field an unchanged XI.
Given the recent goalscoring record of both the Galaxy and Sporting KC, we are likely to see a high-scoring encounter in Carson.
With that in mind, Forebet predicts that both teams will score over 1.5 goals, with the Galaxy coming out on top.