Sporting Kansas City will look to build on picking up their first win of the season when they welcome Los Angeles Galaxy to Children's Mercy Park on Sunday.
Both sides are unbeaten since the start of this campaign having both played four matches.
Match preview
After three consecutive draws to start the season, Sporting Kansas City finally secured their first win with a 2-1 victory over San Jose Earthquakes last Saturday.
The Wizards fell behind to a Vitor Costa goal in the 11th minute but quickly turned things around courtesy of first-half goals from Dany Rosero and Alan Pulido.
Peter Vermes's side surrendered one-goal leads in their opening two matches against Houston and Philadelphia, drawing 1-1 in both games, before securing a goalless draw with Los Angeles FC.
Having qualified for the playoffs last season after missing out in 2022, Kansas will be expecting to be in the mix at the sharp end of the campaign once again, having reached the semi-finals in three of the last six seasons.
The Wizards will play their third game at Children's Mercy Park this campaign when they host the LA Galaxy. They are unbeaten against the Galaxy in their last seven meetings across all competitions, with six of those matches coming in the MLS.
LA Galaxy appeared set to suffer their first defeat of the season at Dignity Health Sports Park when John McCarthy put the ball into his own net to give St Louis City a 3-2 lead with two minutes remaining in normal time. However, Maya Yoshida scored five minutes into stoppage time to salvage a 3-3 draw, taking them onto six points from four matches.
The Galaxy last lifted the MLS Cup ten years ago, but have failed to qualify for the playoffs in five of the last seven seasons, including last year.
As such, Greg Vanney – who made 193 league appearances for LA Galaxy across two spells during his playing career – will feel under significant pressure to deliver improved results. The 49-year-old has been in charge since January 2021, losing one more match (43) than he has managed to win (42) across 116 games in all competitions.
Having shown great character to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat in their last two games, Vanney's men will be eager to secure three points when they visit Children's Mercy Park on Sunday.
However, two defeats in their last three trips to Kansas City, along with a draw, will leave some doubts lingering in their minds.
Team News
Kansas will remain without Khiry Shelton due to an ankle injury, while Logan Ndenbe is sidelined for several months as he continues his rehabilitation from a serious ACL injury.
Attacking midfielder Ozzie Cisneros is out, while Andreu Fontas is questionable, as both players are nursing hamstring injuries.
Daniel Salloi and Remi Walter are also doubtful for the clash due to hip and ankle injuries respectively, while Alenis Vargas is away on international duty with Honduras.
LA Galaxy are expected to remain without central defender Jalen Neal due to an ongoing abdominal issue, but otherwise Vanney appears to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal.
As such, he is unlikely to make any changes from the side that earned a point last time out, meaning that star forward Joseph Paintsil should continue from the right flank.
Sporting Kansas City possible starting lineup:
Melia; Davis, Rosero, Fontas, Leibold; Thommy, Radoja, Rodriguez; Russell, Pulido, Salloi
Los Angeles Galaxy possible starting lineup:
McCarthy; Yamane, Yoshida, Caceres, Aude; Delgado, Cerrillo, Puig; Paintsil, Joveljic, Fagundez
We say: Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Los Angeles Galaxy
Sporting KC have enjoyed a good run against LA Galaxy, drawing three and winning three of the last six MLS meetings between them. The Wizards are also unbeaten in their six MLS home games and we think they will keep up the run when they face the Galaxy on Sunday. We think that this match will end in a draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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