The MLS action in the United States returns this weekend and the first preview features a clash between Eastern Conference outfit, Cincinnati, and Western Conference side, LA Galaxy at the Nippert Stadium in Ohio.
Cincinnati head into this encounter on the back of a four-match losing streak which has seen the hosts suffer defeats to Orlando City, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids and New York City.
These latest defeats have resulted in Cincinnati remaining rooted to the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just 11 points to their name, and they face another difficult assignment this Saturday evening, despite holding home advantage.
Form on home turf at their Nippert Stadium has been underwhelming too as the hosts have recorded just 2 wins to date and have won just 1 of their last 5 matches overall.
Cincinnati have managed to keep just 1 clean sheet out of their first 6 home matches of the season so far, and their defence could come under closer scrutiny again this Saturday night.
LA Galaxy currently occupy 2nd place in the Western Conference but find themselves 9 points adrift of local rivals, Los Angeles, as they make their way over to Ohio for this Saturday evening encounter against Cincinnati.
The visitors come into this clash having also tasted defeat last time out in a 2-1 loss at home to New England Revolution, but nevertheless, they’ll be confident they can turn things around on Saturday.
LA Galaxy’s saving grace is that they’ve previously registered back-to-back wins away at Orlando City and Sporting Kansas in 1-0 and 2-0 victories respectively, so the visitors will be seeking a third away win on the trot here.
An away record of 3 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats has produced a mixed return for the LA outfit but they have a great chance of collecting all three points away against an out of sorts Cincinnati side in this clash.
Play those drums 🥁🥁🥁 pic.twitter.com/vwtvXfEZ82— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) May 30, 2019
Play those drums 🥁🥁🥁 pic.twitter.com/vwtvXfEZ82
Despite his advancing years, LA Galaxy striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11 goals) continues to bang in the goals as he seems to be enjoying being a big fish in a little pond for the visitors, scoring 11 goals from the 12 matches that he’s played to date this season.
Interestingly, this will be the first meeting of these two sides in the MLS.