Who the LA Galaxy need to watch out for on DC United come Saturday | OneFootball

On the first day of the 2025 MLS regular season, the defending champions welcomed the newest club to the league, San Diego FC. This Saturday, they host one of their fellow-originals and earliest rivals in D.C. United.

The LA Galaxy are coming off their best five-game stretch in the season (2-2-1) and hope that the good fortune continues. DC United has not won since June and sport a worse offensive attack than the Galaxy's.

We've seen the Los Angeles Galaxy blow games, like the 3-3 draw in St. Louis City last month. Jaoa Klauss's hat trick made the six-time MLS Cup winners settle for a tie and just one point in the MLS Western Conference. A place where the Galaxy sit at the bottom of.

Come Saturday, head coach Greg Vanney and his players look to win their second game in a row for the first time this season. Despite Christian Benteke being their leading scorer with six goals. this midfielder could be the difference maker if the LA Galaxy aren't careful.

Brazilian midfielder on DC United could blow up LA Galaxy's universe this weekend

Yes, Benteke has more goals than any one player on the Los Angeles Galaxy entering Saturday. However, the Belgian forward hasn't scored since they beat the Colorado Rapids on May 3rd.

The LA Galaxy weren't the only team to give up seven goals in a match this year. DC United did it against the Chicago Fire more recently. DC United won 2-1 against FC Cincinnati on the road prior to the loss against the Fire.

Gabriel Pirani scored in the game's first two minutes. The LA Galaxy's own Matheus Nascimento did that on Independence Day during the 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Pirani has shown this isn't fluke, either. It was the only earned goal from the offense as Jack Maher of Nashville SC recorded an own goal in the 24th minute. DC United held a 2-0 lead at that point, but it was short lived. They went on to lose 5-2 in the 2025 U.S. Open Cup, Quarterfinals.

The 23-year-old midfielder played a solid game against Nashville. He managed to draw three fouls while not committing one himself in nearly 80 minutes of play.

The LA Galaxy must be ready for Pirani and has quick trigger. They don't want to be down 1-0 early at home to a weaker team. DC United has not won since May 31st. Not only have the Galaxy won on that day, too, they have also won once more since then.