The LA Galaxy continue their search for a first win of the season on Saturday night when they host an Orlando City side whose current form resembles how the Galaxy were playing late last season.
The Galaxy (0-3-2, 2 points) have been without several of the key contributors to their 2024 MLS Cup title run. Team MVP Riqui Puig is still months away from his return from a torn ACL suffered in last year’s Western Conference final.
Joseph Paintsil just returned this week to training from about two months out with a quadriceps injury and is available to play Saturday.
And although Christian Ramirez has scored in back-to-back games, last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Minnesota United marked the first time the Galaxy have scored multiple goals in a game this season.
Now they host Orlando (2-2-1, 7 points), whose 13 goals are the most in MLS this season, and echo the 18 LA scored in last year’s playoffs, an MLS record.
“To be honest, in possession they’re the team that probably expresses the most similar characteristics to us,” LA manager Greg Vanney said of Orlando. “I think they have some really interesting fluid parts in possession, and some good quality players. They look comfortable on the ball, and have some guys that can hurt you on the attack.”
Marco Pasalic has already scored four times for Orlando in his first MLS season, including once each in the Lions’ last two matches — a 2-2 draw at the New York Red Bulls and a 4-1 home win over D.C. United. Martin Ojeda has added three goals and Luis Muriel two.
“You see they have confidence and they have volume in attack, and we are being a very offensive group, that we are taking advantage of
the players that we brought here to have success,” said Orlando manager Oscar Pareja.
But the Lions have also conceded 11 goals, second-worst in MLS ahead of only Toronto’s 12.
Last Saturday’s win over D.C. was the first time this season Orlando did not concede multiple goals, coming while longtime starting goalkeeper Pedro Gallese was away with the Peru national team. Javier Otero made five saves in Gallese’s absence.
–Field Level Media
