Five Things presented by Children’s Mercy Sports Medicine Center: Sporting KC opens two-game road trip to LA Galaxy | September 3, 2022

The campaign is coming to an end

That loss to Sporting put a damper on the Galaxy’s playoff hopes, but they reacted fiercely, securing four straight results. They washed the Whitecaps 5-2, tied with Seattle, passed the Revolution and tied Toronto on Wednesday night. With eight points from four games, the Galaxy are in the midst of a playoff battle, one point behind the Portland Timbers but two games less. With eight games left for LA, they can’t afford to leave points on the table.

Sporting have six games left to play and are nine points out of the playoffs. Their recent form of inspired football has lifted them out of the West’s basement, overtaking San Jose last week. With six games to play and nine points to win, Sporting need as many points as possible to enter the final stretch of the 2022 season.

The Galaxy are defended by former Mexico international star Chicharito who pace the club with 12 goals this season. Not too far from him is striker Dejan Joveljic and his 10 goals. They have been helped mainly by Julian Araujo and Raheem Edwards who have seven and six assists respectively. Their squad has been bolstered by the arrival of Riqui Puig after spending four years with Barcelona in La Liga. Puig scored his first MLS goal on Wednesday night against Toronto, the game leveler.

As a club, the Galaxy have had two fatal flaws this season. They are 7-0-2 when leading at halftime and 10-1-3 when scoring the first goal. However, their totals drop to 0-10-1 and 1-10-1 when they trail at half-time or concede the first goal. They had the lead Wednesday in Toronto, fell and scored a run on the road. They also tend to drag games, scoring 17 goals after the 75th minute, an MLS high. It’s always an exciting game when Sporting and LA meet and the 68th rendition of MLS is scheduled for Sunday at 7 p.m. CT.