Preview, Matchday #3: LA Galaxy vs. St. Louis City SC

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·8 March 2025

Preview, Matchday #3: LA Galaxy vs. St. Louis City SC

The 30th regular season for Major League Soccer is well underway. Both, the Los Angeles Galaxy and St. Louis City SC enter the weekend 0-0-2.

On Sunday, at least one of these squads are guaranteed to earn their first points in the Western Conference standings. St. Louis was the second-worst team in the conference last season. The LA Galaxy held that spot the season before.

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But as we all know by now, this is not the same Galaxy team that won their sixth league title just three months ago.

What to look for this time between the LA Galaxy and St. Louis City SC?

Kickoff is at 4:00 p.m. (PT) and 7:00 p.m. (ET) on Sunday. The game will be held at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

The Los Angeles Galaxy were unbeaten in all 16 regular season games played there last year. They also went a perfect 4-0 at home in the postseason.

If the LA Galaxy lose again on Sunday, they would be 0-0-2 at home to open up their title defense. A win this weekend is a must against a team that isn't favored to make the playoffs for a second year in a row.

"I think he made very mature decisions in moments throughout the game. The areas around the goals were bouncy, and I think in terms of risk taking and not, he was very calculated in a lot of those moments, and I thought he made some big saves in a couple of situations that he needed to come up big."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Since 2023, the LA Galaxy have won just once against St. Louis City. In the other five games, the Galaxy have gone 0-3-2.

With the expected return of John McCarthy in goal for the Starting XI, that gives head coach Greg Vanney a much needed boost. The team lost both games with Novak Micovic in as the keeper.

Goals have been scarce for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Gabriel Pec has the lone score for the Galaxy and Miguel Berry was awarded the assist on that play. If the LA Galaxy are to win, multiple goals will have to be scored.

As strong as the defense has played, they definitely can get better. Jalen Neal was traded in the offseason and newcomers Mathias Jorgensen and Axel Essengue are finding their footing still. Elijah Wynder, Lucas Sanabria and Christian Ramirez are also getting used to their new teammates.

The LA Galaxy are still without Riqui Puig and Joseph Paintsil. The second player is the one most likely to return soon. Both are recovering from leg injuries.

While their presence will surely be missed, it will be up to Pec, Rzmirez and Marco Reus to help ignite this surprisingly stagnant offense. Last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy scored 69 times in 34 games. They have just one score while giving up four in their first two games this season.