2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 22
LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson
November 1 – 7:30 PM PT
LOCAL TV: Spectrum SportsNet,
Interim manager Dominic Kinnear will try to steer the LA Galaxy out of their doldrums Sunday night at Dignity Health Sports Park against a Real Salt Lake squad also fighting to move above the playoff line in the Western Conference.
The Galaxy (5W-11L-3D) are last in the West at 0.95 points per game following a stunning 5-2 defeat against the Portland Timbers Wednesday night at Providence Park. It was Guillermo Barros Schelotto's last game in charge of the club as he was relieved of his duties less than 24 hours later. Real Salt Lake (5W-8L-7D) are coming off a 2-0 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes and have won just once in their last seven matches.
This is the second regular season meeting, with RSL coming away with a 2-0 win over the Galaxy at Rio Tinto Stadium Sept. 23. Albert Rusnak and Damir Kreilach struck for second half goals in the win.
LA Galaxy
The Galaxy conceded three times inside the opening half hour and fell to the Timbers 5-2 at Providence Park Wednesday, making it eight losses in the last nine games, a defeat that prompted a coaching change announced on Thursday.
“Based on results, we have decided to go in a different direction,” LA Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese said in a club statement. “The LA Galaxy is a club that is built on winning on the field and being representative of the championship mentality and pedigree that you expect in Los Angeles. As a club, we have a collective responsibility and we all must share the blame for the club’s current standing. I take responsibility for the poor results and believe that we can find the right way forward for this team and our club.”
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake have picked a bad time for an offensive slump as it's now two consecutive matches without a goal following a 2-0 loss to the Earthquakes in a Western Conference playoff line six-pointer Wednesday night. It was also the second straight match where the Claret-and-Cobalt misfired on a number of shot attempts.
With Sporting KC looming on Decision Day presented by AT&T, anything less than a win against the Galaxy would be devastating.
“We have to play to win. What else can I tell the guys? It’s LA Galaxy," Freddy Juarez said after the match. "You want to go there to win, just like we wanted to win tonight. It just has to be better in all aspects. Individually and as a collective, we have to be a little bit sharper and have a little bit more pride.”
Series Matchup at Galaxy
- Galaxy: 12 wins, 37 goals
- Real Salt Lake: 7 wins, 32 goals
- 2 draws
Officials
- Referee: Jon Freemon
- Assistant Referees: Jeff Hosking, Walter Heatherly
- 4th Official: Alex Chilowicz
- VAR: Kevin Stott
