Preview, Matchday #8: Los Angeles Galaxy hosts the Houston Dynamo FC | OneFootball

The last time the six-time MLS Cup winners faced the Houston Dynamo, the Los Angeles Galaxy lost in their efforts to clinch the Western Conference's top seed in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. This time out, the Galaxy are looking for their first win of the new season.

Both teams enter Saturday's contest with struggling offenses. The LA Galaxy and the Houston Dynamo have only found the back of the net five times a piece so far in the 2025 MLS regular season.

LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney hopes his team can find some answers and ignite on offense this weekend at Dignity Health Sports Park.

How to watch the game between the Galaxy & the Dynamo?

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PT) and 9:30 p.m. (CT) on Saturday, April 12. All games this year are available on MLS Season Pass. This contest is also accessible on Apple TV & Apple TV+.

The game will take place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Last season, the Los Angeles Galaxy went unbeaten in all 16 regular season games here. They stormed through the postseason winning all four playoff games in Carson, too.

According to the Los Angeles Galaxy's team site, the team plans to "commemorate the LA Galaxy's 2024 MLS Cup triumph, 10,000 replica championship rings will be handed out to fans at the match against Houston."

Furthermore, "the University of Southern California is being recognized at the match. LA Galaxy x USC hats are available through the USC Appreciation Ticket Pack. Hats are available to be picked up at SoccerFest."

What's different about Saturday's game than others before?

This season, the LA Galaxy have yet to win at home as they have already dropped the first two games at Dignity Health Sports Park and tied the last one. In those three contests, the Galaxy have been outscored 7-1 as the only goal came from Christian Ramirez early in the first half.

These two teams have history. The Dynamo became the second team in league history to repeat as MLS Cup winners in 2006 & 2007. DC United did it first in MLS's opening years (1996 & 1997).

Despite winning just two of their first five MLS Cup Finals appearances, the LA Galaxy became the third team to win consecutive titles when they won back-to-back championships in 2011 and 2012 (both against Houston).

Since 2006, the year following the LA Galaxy's second title, there have been 43 games played between these two soccer clubs. The Galaxy have a two-game advantage with 17 wins and just 15 losses. There have been 11 draws in this span.

This time out, the Los Angeles Galaxy (0-2-5) are hopeful they can pull out all the stops to earn their frst win. Houston is looking for their second on the season (1-2-4). Neither team would qualify for the playoffs if the season ended today.

Projected Starting XI

John McCarthy should be etched on the lineup card as the starting goalkeeper for the Galaxy. Novak Micovic started the Galaxy's first three games as the team lost all of three.

Julian Aude or John Nelson could start on the left side of the defensive line should Vanney use a 4-3-3 formation, again. Mathias Jorgensen and Carlos Garces could anchor the middle, leaving Harbor Miller to start on the right side.

Veteran defenders Miki Yamane and Maya Yoshida can then be utilized as subs if they are cleared to play. Both have sustained injuries this season and missed time already in 2025.

That pits Diego Fagundez, Edwin Cerrillo and Elijah Wynder as potential starting midfielders. Up top, Vanney can opt to go with Ramirez, Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil as the three forwards in the formation.

If the Los Angeles Galaxy fail to win for the first time in eight tries this season, changes could be made to their roster and lineups.