This Saturday sees the eagerly awaited replay of the 2024 MLS Cup Grand Final, with the New York Red Bulls hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy at the Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls are worried after being thrashed by Inter Miami, while the Galaxy are still in agony in the West after a loss to Sporting Kansas.
NY Red Bulls try to stay in the post-season qualification zone
After starting the season with a defeat in their first five games, the NY Red Bulls had major problems maintaining their early momentum and ended the MLS season with just one win in their last four games, raising alarm bells.
The negative results left Sandro Schwarz's side just one point below the post-season line in the Eastern Conference. At least all the wins have come at the Red Bull Arena, which gives the fans more confidence in the face of an uneven campaign.
NY Red Bulls will once again be without Serge Ngoma due to a thigh strain, while Cameron Harper, Daniel Edelman and Dylan Nealis are confirmed casualties due to thigh injuries. Lewis Morgan and Marcelo Morales are also out injured, but Felipe Carballo has recovered from a knee injury.
LA Galaxy could equal worst losing streak since 2020
While the NY Red Bulls have been erratic, the LA Galaxy have become a completely unrecognizable team since winning the MLS title last season. With only three points to their name, the team that boasts some of the world's biggest names in soccer is having its worst start to a season in its history.
As the only team in the Western Conference without a win, Greg Vanney's side have failed to score in five regular season games, a negative mark that already surpasses the number of games without scoring in the previous season. What's more, a defeat this weekend will mean their worst losing streak since 2020.
Former Barcelona player, the experienced Riqui Puig is once again out of a game due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, which is the only confirmed absence. It's worth remembering that Vanney opted for one-off changes to the starting line-up on the previous matchday, with Marco Reus returning to the starting line-up.