Preview, Matchday #6: LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City SC

FanSided MLS

·29 Maret 2025

Preview, Matchday #6: LA Galaxy vs. Orlando City SC

These two teams have not played each other yet during an MLS regular season game in almost two years. It was late April in 2023 when Orlando City hosted the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Just like their season that year, that game did not go in favor of the LA Galaxy. The contest ended in a 2-0 shutout and three points in the standings for Orlando City.

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"They're a good team. In possession they're the team that probably most expresses similar characteristics to us in the way they move, in their positional play, they have variations, they have different players who occupy different positions but their positions are pretty consistent. They have some really fluid parts in possession and some good quality players. They look comfortable on the ball, and some guys who can hurt you on the attack."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

Both teams look much different since then. Jonathan Bond is no longer the starting goalie. Insert the 2022 MLS Cup Finals MVP John McCarthy instead.

Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus, Christian Ramirez, Zanka, and Axel Essengue are among the many new faces and stars for the Los Angeles Galaxy since then. The world may see the return of another new face, Joseph Paintsil.

What to know before kickoff between the LA Galaxy & Orlando City SC?

Kickoff on Saturday, March 29 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (PT) and 10:30 p.m. (ET). This contest will be held in Carson, California.

The Los Angeles Galaxy are 2-1 at home against Orlando City SC all-time despite going 3-0-4 against them lifetime. This will be the eighth regular season game between the two soccer clubs.

"I think they're a good team that you have to do a really good job of containing and being able to identify who's going into what positions and not get pulled apart and get drawn into situations where you expose yourself. It's going to require a lot of communication on our side to talk through some of the movements that they do, try to keep them out of positions where they can hurt us as much as we can because they're willing to run through."Greg Vanney, Head Coach of the LA Galaxy

The LA Galaxy rank in the top five (#4) in possession. However, they have failed to turn that ball control and dominance during games into scoring.

On the season, the LA Galaxy only have four goals so far entering Saturday. They led the MLS Western Conference last year with 69 totals scores.

This game can be watched on MLS Season Pass, Apple TV, and Apple TV+. The LA Galaxy are still looking for their first win of the 2025 regular season. According to the LA Galaxy's team site, the game is also available on Radio Stream.

Projected Lineup for the LA Galaxy

Ramirez has scored in three straight contests for the defending MLS Cup winners. Expect him to play up top with Pec and Miguel Berry. Even though Paintsil is back, head coach Greg Vanney may opt to bring him in off the bench.

In the midfield, Marco Reus, Edwin Cerrillo, and Diego Fagundez can anchor the center line. Should Vanney stick with a 4-3-3 formation, that potentially pits Julian Aude, Maya Yoshida, Miki Yamane, and Harbor Miller (from left to right) on the back line to defend.

Expect McCarthy to start again over the backup, Novak Micovic. After the first three games with Micovic in goal, the Los Angeles Galaxy have not lost since the switch (0-2-0).