The Galaxy have one final attempt to secure a CONCACAF Champions Cup spot and it comes Sunday in the Leagues Cup third-place game.
The Galaxy, who host Orlando City SC, must win to earn a second consecutive trip to the CONCACAF tournament. The third-place winner will begin next year’s tournament in the first round.
Seattle hosts Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup final Sunday night. Both finalists will start the CONCACAF tournament in the Round of 16.
This will be the second meeting between the Galaxy and Orlando City. The first, on March 29, was won by OCSC 2-1, thanks to a 90th-minute goal by Luis Muriel.
“I think they’ve gotten better,” Galaxy captain and defender Maya Yoshida said of Orlando City. “Muriel looks more fit … they are very solid, very similar to Seattle. Seattle is probably more organized and more solid of a team, but still, they’re a good team.
“It’s going to be a tough game, but we will be ready for that. No excuse for fatigue or fitness.”
Orlando City will be making its third trip to Carson this season. Aside from the March 29 regular-season meeting, Orlando City faced Toluca at Dignity Health Sports Park in the Leagues Cup quarterfinals Aug. 20. After Wednesday’s semifinal loss against Inter Miami, OCSC has to head back to Carson, seemingly giving the Galaxy at least a small advantage.
The real advantage for the Galaxy will come if they’re able to clean up and avoid the costly mistakes, that hurt them on both goals against the Sounders in Wednesday’s 2-0 semifinal loss.
Yoshida chalked up to a number of things, including a lack of communication.
“There’s not only one reason that we keep conceding (goals),” he said. “I think (you can) combine many things, communication, concentration, intensity, everything is true. I think we could avoid these goals conceded, but we still keep conceding. There’s no room for excuse. We have to improve that and that stability will help the team perform better.”
Wednesday’s loss against the Sounders was the first regulation loss for the Galaxy in Leagues Cup play. The challenge now is regrouping after having their championship hopes dashed.
“There’s a lot to play for,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said of the third-place game. “That was kind of the postgame message after we briefly discussed the game. It’s about refocusing. It’s about putting this one (Wednesday’s game) behind us. We can’t go back and win this one.
“There’s still a lot to play for. After a season like this, to be able to earn a spot in Champions Cup would be a big opportunity for this group. We should see this as our only opportunity to salvage something. I think we have to be mature enough to bounce back, put our heads back on our shoulders, pick up our chins and get after it.”
After Sunday, the Galaxy will have eight games remaining – seven in MLS and the Campeones Cup on Oct. 1 against Toluca.
Injury updates
Defender Emiro Garces (ankle) could make his way back to action after missing the semifinal. Vanney said Garces trained Saturday. …
Matheus Nascimento (groin) is likely out Sunday. Vanney said that Nascimento “didn’t get through what he needed to get through today (Saturday.)”
ORLANDO CITY SC at GALAXY
When: 2 p.m. Sunday
Where: Dignity Health Sports Park
How to watch: Apple TV+ (MLS Season Pass); TUDN (Spanish)
