Matchday 14 and Rivalry Week both draw to a close when the LA Galaxy host LAFC in the latest edition of the El Trafico derby on Sunday evening. Here's what to know ahead of a fixture that is often one of the most entertaining on the MLS calendar.
How to watch LA Galaxy vs. LAFC
Time: Sunday, May 18, 9 pm ET
Venue: Dick's Health Sports Park, Carson, Calif.
Tickets: Click here
TV and streaming: Apple TV+, MLS Season Pass
LA Galaxy vs. LAFC projected lineups
At last, the Galaxy got some good news this weekend in the form of wingers Joseph Paintsil and Gabriel Pec being cleared to return from minor leg injuries.
Given that they both started only two weeks ago in a 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City that was historic for all the wrong reasons, the expectation should be a swift return to Greg Vanney's XI rather than a more gradual assimilation from the bench.
Meanwhile, LAFC is also enjoying a relatively clean bill of health despite this busier stretch of the calendar for most MLS clubs.
There was some minor squad rotation in the 4-0 midweek win over the Seattle Sounders, but despite that emphatic result, Sunday's lineup may look more like the group that started in a 2-2 draw at the Vancouver Whitecaps on Matchday 12.
LA Galaxy potential lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
John McCarthy (GK) - Miki Yamane, Carlos Garce, Maya Yoshida, John Nelson - Edwin Cerrillo, Diego Fagundez - Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil - Christian Ramirez
LAFC potential lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
Hugo Lloris (GK) - Sergi Palencia, Aaron Long, Eddie Segura, Ryan Hollingshead - Tim Tillman, Igor, Mark Delgado - Cengiz Under, Nathan Ordaz, Denis Bouanga
Player status report
LA Galaxy: Riqui Puig - knee (out). LAFC: Maxime Chanot - head (out).
LA Galaxy vs. LAFC prediction
The return of Paintsil and Pec should help Greg Vanney in a match he would desperately love to win to give his side some much-needed hope. And maybe the Galaxy extending Vanney's contract despite such a historically bad start will calm some things.
Even so, the Galaxy are far less deep than LAFC right now, and the timing of this match coming at the end of a three-game, nine-day stretch, favors the visitors considerably.
The Black-and-Gold have been inconsistent defensively, but they've now scored multiple goals in six consecutive matches. Expect them to make it seven on Sunday night, outclassing a Galaxy side that doesn't have enough firepower to hang for 90 minutes.