The Los Angeles Galaxy will play their sixth game of the season on Saturday, April 8, 2023. So far winless, they’ve been “in the margins” and “need a break to go their way,” Head Coach Greg Vanney said at a presser after Galaxy training. The Galaxy coach was commenting on several close plays this season in which he feels LA was hard done. First was the disallowed goal that potentially kept three points from the Galaxy against Vancouver. And the latest? An “unacceptable” handball in stoppage time against Seattle Defender Nouhou should’ve given LA the chance of a tie.
It wasn’t given, the Galaxy copped the L and now look to get their first win of the season against the Houston Dynamo. LA will try to rebound but have some hope. On their last Houston visit, they ran out as 3–0 winners. That day, Riqui Puig orchestrated the attack to devastating effect. Can the Catalan spur his team to their first three points in this new LA Galaxy vs. Houston matchup?
LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo Predictions
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LA Galaxy’s Current Run of Form
The Galaxy played some of the best soccer of their campaign in the second half vs. Seattle. Unfortunately, they didn’t take their chances, and lady luck (and Allen Chapman) wasn’t kind either. It led to them dropping another game, this time at home. The result leaves them with only three points, a 0-3-2 record this season, and they still languish in 12th place in the Western Conference. If you want to be especially fatalistic, the Galaxy is only ahead of last-place Colorado on goal difference, where they hold the advantage, -3 to -6.
But there is hope. As mentioned, the Galaxy played good enough ball to keep Seattle on their heels. The return last week of Douglas Costa brought even more life to the wings, and a Costa/Tyler partnership should bear fruit. Puig should have more room to operate in the space this duo opens up. The return of Galaxy Captain Javier “Chicharito” Hernández should breathe new life into an underperforming attack as well.
Read More: 2023 LA Galaxy Season Preview: Riqui Shoots for MVP
Houston’s Current Run of Form
Houston will be trying to keep their decent home form going. Despite an opening-day loss, they have two shutout wins in a row at Shell Energy Stadium. They, too, felt hard done in their last match, losing to the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 away. All three goals in the match were penalties, which point to an attack that didn’t click. The fact that the Dynamo have more goals from penalties than open play (three penalty goals vs. two open play goals), confirms it. Forward Amine Bassi has scored all three of those spot-kicks and is Houston’s leading scorer.
Recent Head-to-Head
This all-time head-to-head stands at 9-6-10, with the Galaxy in the slight lead. A Houston win catches LA in the series, however. The Galaxy was dealt a humbling 3-0 loss last time the Dynamo went to LA. Before that though, the Galaxy was able to score the 3-0 away win through Puig’s good play. The returning Chicharito was on the scoresheet that day.
LA Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo Prediction
The Galaxy is going through it right now. Winless and off to their worst start in club history, they need a win badly. Unfortunately, this team hasn’t had the time to gel yet, isn’t getting any breaks, and is still lacking personnel. All this combined, conspires to keep the Galaxy out of the win column for another week. This means the Galaxy might need a win badly, but should be content with a draw. But if DPs, Costa and Chicharito, can spark LA by linking up with Puig, the Galaxy has a shot.
Read More: 2023 NWSL Season Preview
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