LA Galaxy challenge Austin FC to avoid disastrous last place in MLS | OneFootball

In need of an immediate reaction in the MLS regular season, the Los Angeles Galaxy will travel to face Austin FC at the Q2 Stadium in a match that could end up leaving the club at the bottom of the conference table if they lose. On the other hand, Austin FC are looking to get their season back on track after losing their last match.

Austin FC rely on defensive solidity to secure victory

Vancouver Whitecaps FC v Austin FC | Derek Cain/GettyImages

Austin FC closed the month of March with three consecutive wins against Angeles FC, San Diego and St Louis City, but have yet to win in April and have dropped five points in recent matches, the most recent being a goalless draw against Portland Timbers.

Even though their opponents have had more shots on target, Estevez believes his side are still in good shape due to their run of three of their last four games without conceding a goal. In addition, Austin FC have only lost once in their last nine home games, with their last defeat coming against the Houston Dynamo in September 2024. If they confirm their favoritism, Austin FC could end the weekend by overtaking the Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers, San Diego and Minnesota United to take second place in their conference

For this match, Austin will probably be without right-back Mikkel Desler due to a muscle injury. In other words, Jon Gallagher will probably be deployed alongside Julio Cascante, Brendan Hines-Ike and Guilherme Biro in defense. In midfield, Daniel Pereira will be joined by Besard Sabovic, and these are the main players in the likely line-up.

LA Galaxy must win to avoid complications

LA Galaxy v Houston Dynamo FC | Shaun Clark/GettyImages

Meanwhile, Los Angeles FC celebrated a point against the Houston Dynamo with a 1-1 draw at Diginity Health Sports Park, as the coach praised the team's defensive stance with a player down for so long. However, the alarm bells are ringing for victories to return quickly due to the league table, with only three points won, a campaign bettered only by Montreal.

LA Galaxy can't draw on their recent record as visitors for this weekend's clash due to the fact that they haven't won in this position in their last six games. Even so, an unlikely win could kick-start a major recovery and the possibility of overtaking Sporting KC and Houston by the end of the week.

For this MLS match, defender Mathias Jorgensen will miss out after being sent off against Houston, making way for Eriq Zavaleta to join Carlos Garces in the defensive system. Maya Yoshida is doubtful due to his physical condition, while Riqui Puig will also miss out on Saturday due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury that has kept him out since December last year. Finally, Marco Reus is also unlikely to be fit, extending his run of consecutive games without being able to take to the field.