Injuries and international call-ups have prevented the LA Galaxy from being the best team that they could have been this season, but they still enter the playoffs feeling like they have a good chance of lifting MLS Cup this December. First, they’ll have to get past Real Salt Lake, a talented team that’s recently been going in the wrong direction.
LA Galaxy vs. Real Salt Lake live stream: Time, TV schedule, and how to watch 2016 MLS Playoffs online
Landon Donovan and the Galaxy will expect to win their first-round playoff match.
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
RSL got off to a hot start this year, with their strikers forming a formidable combination and Nick Rimando looking like an MLS Best XI contender in goal as always. They vaulted into Supporters’ Shield contention with back-to-back wins over FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids in August, but they’ve faltered since. RSL is on a run of seven games without a win, which is why they’re playing a road game in the first round of the playoffs.
The Galaxy also had a bumpy run-in to the playoffs, but they have won three times over the last two months of the season. They finished the regular season with just 39 goals conceded, good for the second-best defense in the league. And with Landon Donovan finding his form and looking like an adequate replacement for Gyasi Zardes, Galaxy supporters are hopeful that their team can make a deep run.
Key player: Joao Plata
While Yura Movsisyan and “Burrito” Juan Manuel Martinez are RSL’s biggest name forwards, capable of scoring at any time, Joao Plata has been by far their most consistent attacking player. Movsisyan has also been suffering from a foot injury recently. If RSL is going to pull off an upset, they’ll need Plata to get on the ball in the final third on a regular basis.
Key matchup: Kyle Beckerman vs. Giovani dos Santos
Whether his listed position is at striker, attacking midfielder, or on the wing, Giovani dos Santos is always going to get into central positions between the attacking and midfield lines. That means he’s going to see a lot of Kyle Beckerman, who will be tasked with making sure Gio is denied space to operate in whenever he picks up the ball.
LA Galaxy injuries and suspensions
Out: Gyasi Zardes (foot). In doubt: Steven Gerrard (hamstring), Robbie Keane (undisclosed).
Real Salt Lake injuries and suspensions
Out: Emery Welshman (hip), Aaron Maund (toe), Jeff Antinella (elbow). In doubt: None.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Venue: StubHub Stadium, Carson, Calif.
TV: UniMas (U.S.), TSN2 (Canada)
How to watch online: In the United States, you can catch the game on Univision Deportes en vivo. If you don’t have access to that, you can watch on paid streaming services like Fubo and Sling.
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