Team Form & Recent Performances

LA Galaxy

• 2025 Record: 4W, 9D, 16L in MLS (21 points, 23rd); 2024 MLS 1st in Western Conference with 19W, 10D, 5L

• Latest Result: Lost 2-1 vs. Orlando City (September 14, 2025), drew 1-1 vs. Houston Dynamo (September 7, 2025)

• Home Form: 2W, 5D, 7L in 14 MLS home games (18 goals scored, 25 conceded)

LA Galaxy are near the bottom of the Western Conference, struggling with consistency and defense. Their 2-1 loss to Orlando City highlighted ongoing issues, conceding 2.00 goals per game on average, per. At Dignity Health Sports Park, they've been unbeaten in their last two home games (1W, 1D), but overall home form is poor, averaging 1.29 goals scored and 1.79 conceded per game, per. Over their last five games (0W, 2D, 3L), they've scored 4 goals and conceded 8, per. Injuries to Riqui Puig (torn ACL, out for season), Marco Reus (lower body), Lucas Sanabria (foot), Julian Aude (lower body), and doubts over Christian Ramirez weaken their squad, per. Their 53.3% possession and 3.8 shots on target per game show intent, but a -23 goal differential reflects vulnerabilities, per.

FC Cincinnati

• 2025 Record: 17W, 4D, 9L in MLS (55 points, 3rd); 2024 MLS 1st in Eastern Conference with 22W, 4D, 8L

• Latest Result: Won 2-1 vs. Nashville SC (September 13, 2025), lost 1-0 at Columbus Crew (August 30, 2025)

• Away Form: 9W, 2D, 4L in 15 MLS away games (21 goals scored, 15 conceded)

FC Cincinnati are playoff-bound, sitting 3rd in the East after clinching a spot with their win over Nashville. Their 2-1 victory featured Evander's late equalizer, showcasing resilience, per. Away form is strong, unbeaten in last 6 (4W, 2D), averaging 1.4 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game, per. Over their last five games (3W, 1D, 1L), they've scored 8 goals and conceded 4, per. Injuries to Matt Miazga (leg), Roman Celentano (injury), and Obinna Nwobodo (quadriceps) are concerns, but Evander is fit, per. Their 49.3% possession and 4.5 shots on target per game reflect efficiency, with 9 clean sheets (30% rate), per.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: LA Galaxy lead with 1 win to Cincinnati’s 0, 0 draws in 1 match

• Recent Meeting: June 22, 2019—FC Cincinnati 0-2 LA Galaxy (MLS)

• Key Trend: Galaxy won the only H2H; low-scoring (2 goals total); This is Cincinnati's first visit to Dignity Health Sports Park, per.

The sole meeting in 2019 saw LA Galaxy win 2-0 away, with Cincinnati failing to score, per. As Cincinnati's first trip to LA, expect a competitive debut matchup. Galaxy average 2.0 goals in that game, while Cincinnati's away resilience (9W in 15) adds intrigue, per. Limited H2H history suggests caution, but both teams score in 50% of recent games, per.

Key Players to Watch

LA Galaxy

• Gabriel Pec (FWD): 6 goals in MLS. Leads the team, vital for creativity amid injuries, per.

• Diego Fagundes (MID): 2 goals, 3 assists in MLS. Steps up in midfield, per.

• Novak Micovic (GK): 80 saves, 57.4% save rate. Key against Cincinnati's attack, per.

FC Cincinnati

• Evander Ferreira (FWD): 17 goals in MLS. Club record-tying scorer, threat on counters, per.

• Luciano Acosta (MID): 5 assists in MLS. Playmaker with vision, per.

• Evan Louro (GK): 122 saves, 69.7% save rate. Solid in net, per.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics*9-

LA Galaxy’s 4-3-3 relies on Pec’s pace and Fagundes’ linking, averaging 53.3% possession and 3.8 shots on target, per. Injuries force youth reliance, targeting Cincinnati’s 1.0 conceded away, but their 2.00 conceded per game is exploitable, per. Cincinnati’s 4-2-3-1, under Pat Noonan, uses Evander and Acosta’s flair, averaging 49.3% possession and 4.5 shots on target, per. Without Miazga and Celentano, they’ll counter, exploiting Galaxy’s high line, but their 30% clean sheet rate aids resilience, per. Dignity Health Sports Park’s 27,000 fans boost LA, but Cincinnati’s form edges it. Web buzz favors Cincinnati at 2.50 odds, with over 2.5 at 1.51, citing away strength, per.