Why Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake is a must win for the LA Galaxy | OneFootball

Both the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake were practically at the top of the MLS Western Conference a season ago. Last year, these two teams were the second and third best team in the standings.

This season, Real Salt Lake (4-3-9) are near the bottom, and the LA Galaxy are the worst of the 15 teams in the conference.

Saturday's contest marks the 17th regular season game for the defending MLS Cup champions. They have opened up this 2025 season with a disappointing record of 0-4-12.

A number of close games and outstanding performances from stars like Christian Ramirez, Marco Reus and Diego Fagundez have been overshadowed by a 7-0 blowout loss (among other shutouts) and multiple own goals including the 1-0 defeat to Sporting Kansas City (who never took a shot on goal in the game).

At all costs, the LA Galaxy need this win

No one would have imagined that in the league's 30th season, any team would be winless this deep into the season. CF Montreal avoided this feat when they beat NYFC in their 12th match of the season.

The LA Galaxy have just four points thanks to a quartet of draws. Their recent 1-0 loss against the San Jose Earthquakes has been indicative of their season. After more than 70 minutes of near-flawless defense, the Galaxy allowed the game's only goal in the 74th minute.

Real Salt Lake beat the LA Galaxy in early April by a score of 2-0. If the six-time MLS Cup winners want to avoid a second shutout loss in a row, their offense has to show up.

The teams best scorers this season have been Christian Ramirez, Marco Reus and Diego Fagundez. Joeph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec have not been healthy the entire season. However, their presence on the field only makes this team better.

In the 64 all-time matches between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, the LA Galaxy have won 25 times and lost 22 while tying 15 times. Despite having three more wins than RSL, the Galaxy have only scored one more goal than their adversary.

The LA Galaxy aren't the only team fielding a low-scoring offense at Dignity Health Sports Park on Saturday. Real Salt Lake has scored just five more goals than the Galaxy. RSL's Diego Luna has scored half of the team's 16 goals.

It has been head coach Greg Vanney's squad that has failed to stop a league high 36 goals. Novak Micovic may start over John McCarthy once again.

Ramirez may also be on the sidelines to start the game, too. But regardless of who's playing, the LA Galaxy have to beat Real Salt Lake before their season gets even worse.