KEYS TO THE GAME BY EXC1TE

DO OR DIE:

THE LAST HOME GAME FOR THE LA GALAXY WILL DETERMINE IF THEY MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.


MAX NELSON

 

The LA Galaxy have searched for an identity all season. The team have matched its same points total from the World Cup break, but the lack of holding a lead nor beating down teams beneath them have led to now needing to win its last two games.


The Galaxy (10-11-11), who are tenth in the Western Conference, hosts Austin FC (11-7-14), who are eleventh, tomorrow at 2 p.m. for its final regular season MLS home game of the 2026 season. If LA wins against Austin and then next Saturday at Real Salt Lake, the Galaxy will make the playoffs no matter what any other team beneath them, or potentially above them can do.


1: DO NOT LEAVE IT ALL IN THE FIRST HALF

As the Galaxy showed against San Diego FC and away at LAFC on Sunday, coming out strong is not all that LA have to do to win a game. The Galaxy have had a depth issue lately with injuries to Designated Player Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and forward Kyōgo Furuhashi. Marco Reus, who has helped be the engine that runs the Galaxy’s offense this year, was a late scratch against LAFC due to illness. It would not surprise many to think head coach Greg Vanney may save an offensive sub for the second half if LA does not start the match off hot, especially with confirmation that Lozano and Furuhashi are available for selection on Halloween.


2: FORCE AUSTIN'S DEFENSE TO MAKE MISTAKES

Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver has been an MLS regular for years and he has had the second most saves per match on average (4.6) in MLS, facing 129 shots this season. However, Stuver has not started in net for Austin down the stretch, with Austin homegrown Damian Las seemingly taking over the role. Austin has conceded 59 goals this season, which is the third most in the Western Conference. The Galaxy scored two against an LAFC side that had been a good defensive team this season and may be hoping that brace for DP Joseph Paintsil awakened a spark for the Ghanaian winger.



3: WIN

This may seem repetitive, but the Galaxy still controls its own destiny. A loss to Austin and a few other results like a RSL win against the San Jose Earthquakes, a Seattle Sounders win at the Vancouver Whitecaps and a Colorado Rapids win/draw vs Chicago Fire would end the Galaxy’s postseason hopes. A draw against Austin and wins for the aforementioned RSL, San Jose, Seattle and Colorado would also end those postseason hopes for LA. A win against Austin can set the Galaxy up to finish off any hopes of elimination on Decision Day.