The Los Angeles Galaxy sent out a flurry of marketing emails earlier this week. In them, they cajole fans to attend its upcoming home match this Saturday, April 1, 2023, against the Seattle Sounders. Amid the beer ticket pack and free ticket offers (boycott result?) for the LA Galaxy vs. Seattle match, some “unbeaten in three matches” language was slyly snuck in.
Yes, this is true. The Galaxy is unbeaten in the last three matches. The part they left out, is that they haven’t won either. Worse, the team has looked like a shadow of the club that ended the 2022 season so strongly. Last weekend, LA subjected its fans to a droll scoreless draw in Portland.
They lacked killer instinct against a Portland team that was missing at least six starters and had conceded 10 goals in the three previous matches. While true that injuries and lack of signings have hampered Galaxy Coach Greg Vanney’s plans, their next opponent, Seattle won’t care. The Sounders’ recent form makes the Galaxy an underdog at home this weekend. This means they might have to keep waiting for their first win of the season.
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders Predictions
Back at home rockin the
#LAvSEA x @Platinum7X pic.twitter.com/yk0GQXrnR4
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) March 28, 2023
LA Galaxy’s Current Run of Form
The Galaxy is off to their worst start in league play since 2009. And that’s before their 0-0 draw to the Timbers. Against Portland, LA started brightly, playing arguably their best half of soccer this season. Only a few incredible David Bingham saves, and the post kept the Galaxy from scoring. But, instead of pressing hard for the goal they deserved in the first half, LA faded drastically in the second. They were plodding, slow, and unimaginative, and it lost them time on the attack. Vanney agreed in the Galaxy’s post-game presser.
“There were a couple of times [against Portland] I felt like we needed to release some shots, and we held on to the ball a little too long, and then they got into positions to block so we then over-pass.” It happened time and again in the second half with Efraín Álvarez being a prime offender. Only a good Jonathan Klinsmann save preserved the tie for LA in the end.
That result is good enough to earn them 12th place in the Western Conference, tied on three points with Vancouver and RSL. Two goals through their opening four games are the real worry, however. Hopefully, the returning Douglas Costa can spark some life into the Galaxy attack. His inclusion should give it the width it has lacked, with Tyler Boyd almost assuredly lining up on the opposite wing. Two true wingers should give the Galaxy a fighting chance against Seattle in their bid for a first win in MLS play.
Read More: 2023 NWSL Season Preview
Seattle’s Current Run of Form
Seattle by contrast, is running riot. Their stellar form has them tied for second place in the West. While early-season injuries only mean they’ll get stronger as well. They opened their campaign with an opening-day blowout over Colorado 4-0 and then posted a 2-0 win over RSL. After a few hiccups to FC Cincinnati and LAFC, they erupted for a 4-1 drubbing of Sporting KC.
Jordan Morris and Léo Chú had career nights against SKC. Morris grabbed all four goals while Chú served all of them up. Against the Galaxy, Seattle might be able to reach another gear. Coach Brian Schmetzer will have key players like Raul Ruidíaz, Alex Roldan, and Héber back to throw at the LA defense.
4⃣ goals in a win over SKC
Well deserved spot on the #FUT Team of the Week, @JmoSmooth13. #FIFA23 https://t.co/prXa4a6FrV pic.twitter.com/mh4tifYgLv
—
Major League Soccer | #eMLS (@eMLS) March 29, 2023
Recent Head-to-Head
One team is set to take the lead in the all-time series (14-12-14 overall) with a win. All signs point to it being Seattle as the Galaxy hasn’t beaten the Sounders in the last nine games (5L, 4D). They’ve only managed one win in the last 16 matches over Seattle and only two in their last 20 matches. LA’s last win over Seattle, a 3-0 shutout on September 23, 2018, was so long ago, Zava, er… Zlatan was on the roster.
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders Prediction
It’s hard to bet against the Sounders in this one. They are the team most in form, and they have returning players to bolster the squad. Most importantly, they’ve had the Galaxy’s number in the last 10 games. Besides, the Galaxy has shown nothing so far this season that can give one hope they can steal a win vs. the Sounders.
LA won’t even have supporter groups to motivate them toward their first three points. The SGs are continuing their protest, now about to enter month four, and boycotting the home match. Between the protest and another game in which they’ll probably drop points, the Galaxy might have another rough Saturday. It might force them to edit that “unbeaten in three” language they’ve been sneaking in.
Read More: 2023 LA Galaxy Season Preview: Riqui Shoots for MVP
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